rwk wrote:I'm curious, what is the mileage from Three Bridges to Lambertville? Are there any special trips that ever run to Three Bridges? It would be nice to have a special excursion from Flemington to Ringoes, then to Three Bridges and back to Flemington with #60. Is the ex-CNJ track gone past Three Bridges through Neshanic Station to Somerville? Why didn't BR&W ever consider acquiring that line way back to have a longer excursion route the other way out of Flemington? They could have run Flemington-Neshanic and back. I'm confused about the tourist train operation, is the BRRHT seperate from the BR&W, did the BR&W once operate the excursion trains themselves but the BRRHT was formed and now operates the trains for BR&W? When did #60 steam last? Was it 10 years ago?
Let's see, the BR&W timetable lists Three Bridges at MP 15.5, and the NS connection at MP 16.2 and that's measured from Lambertville. Ringoes is at MP 6.9.
The Railroad Days excursion mixed train photo freight tentatively scheduled for Friday, June 19, 2009 will likely run Ringoes to Three Bridges, maybe with 60. A limited number of tickets wil be sold and the fare includes lunch somewhere out on the line. The CNJ track is long gone past Three Bridges. I suspect the lack of freight customers on the now abandoned trackage dictated what was purchased. Too expensive to maintain track for passenger service, witness Ringoes to Lambertville as an example. A lot of potential passengers ask how long the round trip is, and decide to ride when then find out it is about an hour and 1/4, longer appears to be less attractive to many, though some would certainly like longer excursions.
The BRRHT was formed a couple years ago as a 501(c)(3) organization to take over operation of the passenger trains from the BR&W. BR&W still owns the passenger cars and locomotives. The BRRHT may be leasing the passenger equipment in the near future to increase the potential for donations and grants for restoration, etc. I believe 60 has been out of service about 8 years or so.