Whippany Railway Museum, 4039 to Steam Again
The Whippany Railway Museum has started on the rebuild of their 1942 steam locomotive number 4039. This was the very same Morris County Central locomotive that pulled thousand and thousands of people out of Whippany from 1966 to 1973 with sister MCC locomotive 385 now also located at the Museum. The pair then moved to Newfoundland, NJ and continued their duties from 1974 to 1980. The 4039 dropped her fire on Dec 14 1980 for what we thought would be the last time, and the sad end to the Morris County Central Railroad. But after years of trying to find a way to acquire the funding for her rebuild, the Museum has made it happen. The Museum received a grant years ago for approx 70% of the project, still needing to raise a large amount of money on their own.
The Museum's Board of Trustees made the decision to get the project done and now’s the time. Talk about proving your commitment to a project, the Museum ( who does just fine running their holiday and special excursions, plus their caboose hops yearly partnered with the Morristown & Erie ) took on a large loan ( into the 6 figures ) this proving their commitment to the project and to get things under way. Transportation Innovation Specialists was awarded the contract and the real work started yesterday Sept 22nd. I truly feel the Whippany Railway Museum is a place that doesn’t receive the attention or credit it deserves in the Tri-sate area. Thanks to their staff this place has much to see for the railroader or railfan. They keep a fresh look on all the equipment, as I have seen many times as a tired piece of railroad history shows up and a month or two later it looks like it just got overhauled at a back shop somewhere. There are 3 steam engines located at the site, along with the original M&E water tower, cabooses and other equipment with heritage from the Erie, D&H, Soo Line, PRR, DL&W, NYC, EL the Rahway Valley and more. Plus the Museum just entered its CNJ Commuter Club Car “ Jersey Coast “ into service a few weeks ago after a beautiful rebuild was completed. The M&E stores many of their private cars and locomotives here as well. Railroad signs and signals cover the landscape as well as other historic equipment. The Museum is welcoming new members as there are so many projects going on, the 4039 being one of the larger ones.
If you are interested in helping out contact the Museum at 973-887-8177 or contact myself and I will get you set up with the right people. If time doesn’t allow you to get involved at this point in time, the Museum is in need of funds for this project and a donation towards this project would be greatly appreciated. This can be done by check or on-line at
http://www.whippanyrailwaymuseum.net/ The group is hopeful that 4039 will be under steam again in 2012. Pictures to follow.
Be safe
Don
Main intrestest steam and short line railroads in the East.
Qualified engineer and firemen.
