I had an impromptu tour of an old barn in Clark and the owner noted that the barn contained some railroad artifacts. The artifacts turned out to be some salvaged timbers that the original farmers (when building the barn) apparently bought from, or were provided by, the Central Railroad of New Jersey. There are two timbers that are used for horizontal bracing on each end wall. Each timber is large (approximately 8 (or 10) inches by 8 (or 10) inches and 20 to 25 feet long). The timbers have a smooth finish with “C R R of N J” printed in large black letters across one side. It appears that one timber has a “MW Mechanical” printing on one side; the other timber has what appears to be an orange circle, contained within a larger white circle (it was getting dark so the details were hard to see).
The current owner consulted a local historian, but that person has little railroad knowledge. The barn itself is thought to have served as a “station” for the Underground Railroad. As such, the barn is very old and the timbers likely very old and may represent salvaged material when the CNJ was upgrading their physical plant early on. The owner is interested in local history and was very accommodating in giving me a tour. I will likely head back there as my daughter is taking tennis lessons from his neighbor.
Given the (minimal) description and markings, any idea as to the possible origin of the timbers (i.e., old fright house) that I can provide to him?
Thank you.
The current owner consulted a local historian, but that person has little railroad knowledge. The barn itself is thought to have served as a “station” for the Underground Railroad. As such, the barn is very old and the timbers likely very old and may represent salvaged material when the CNJ was upgrading their physical plant early on. The owner is interested in local history and was very accommodating in giving me a tour. I will likely head back there as my daughter is taking tennis lessons from his neighbor.
Given the (minimal) description and markings, any idea as to the possible origin of the timbers (i.e., old fright house) that I can provide to him?
Thank you.
