The M&NJ owner Pierre Rasmussen died in June of this year. The M&NJ is the outright owner of #11.
It is in hundreds of pieces, taken apart in a failed attempt by the owner to restore it to running condition and save money on diesel fuel. Due to a loss of a major customer and the loss of revenue the cost of restoring the engine became prohibitive and work stopped. The engine is in one enginehouse the tender in another. Both are out of the weather.
Down to only two customers the M&NJ continued operation until 2002 when it lost its southernmost customer, Balchem. The line receeded back to serve only Genpak, within the Middletown, NY limits. Genpak receives a few covered hoppers of plastic pellets a week.
The M&NJ is still in operation. Mr. Rasmussen's widow is currently working with a lawyer to determine the future of the line. His son runs the trains. They are very friendly to railfans and if you stop by on a day they are operating are more than happy to shoot the breeze and take you along on the train. They now have a full time bookeeper, and the station (headquarters) has had a though cleaning with all the old paperwork going to the M&NJ historical society.
It is in hundreds of pieces, taken apart in a failed attempt by the owner to restore it to running condition and save money on diesel fuel. Due to a loss of a major customer and the loss of revenue the cost of restoring the engine became prohibitive and work stopped. The engine is in one enginehouse the tender in another. Both are out of the weather.
Down to only two customers the M&NJ continued operation until 2002 when it lost its southernmost customer, Balchem. The line receeded back to serve only Genpak, within the Middletown, NY limits. Genpak receives a few covered hoppers of plastic pellets a week.
The M&NJ is still in operation. Mr. Rasmussen's widow is currently working with a lawyer to determine the future of the line. His son runs the trains. They are very friendly to railfans and if you stop by on a day they are operating are more than happy to shoot the breeze and take you along on the train. They now have a full time bookeeper, and the station (headquarters) has had a though cleaning with all the old paperwork going to the M&NJ historical society.
CV the Civil E