Official Bel-Del Discussion Thread

[Donko142]

Just a heads up if you have Facebook.


There is a page that is updated weekly in regards to track rehab and projects on the Bel Del

"Bel Del Maintenance of Way"

Enjoy

[brwfan]

I see that BDRV has a rfp out for track work between mp 41 and the bridge over the river. Is the corrugated paper going to start receiving cars again?

[pumpers]

Getting the paper traffic again would be great, but alternatively, MP 41 is Riegelsville, right? Then this is the same stretch they run the tourist trains on. So maybe the tourist operation is having work done - but BDRV is responsible for the rails so they legally put out the rfp??

[brwfan]

I believe it's for freight. Mp 41 to 41.8 is south of the paper copy till the bridge over the river. Also the most telling thing I saw was they said the contractor will have uninterrupted track access till Dec 31 then first quarter 2018 bdrv will run Sunday and Tues or Thurs then second quarter trains will run Sunday Tuesday and Thurs..3 days a week down there. Here's the link if anyone is interested http://www.bdrry.com/rfp/rfp.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[pumpers]

When you said "MP 41 to the bridge over the river", I thought you meant all the way up to the NS (ex CNJ) bridge over the Delaware in Phillipsburg.
Yes, it looks very promising - the work includes the turn-out switch & derail at 41.2, which is the turnout for the paper plant.

One question though - the diagram has an "overhead bridge" at 41.26 and the spec talks about that too. THis is only 0.06 mile, or 300 feet, north of the switch. Looking at aerial maps/photos, this is well south of the extension of Mt Joy road that shows up on maps (which looks like it might not exist anymore anyway). And for the first 300 feet north of the switch, I don't see anything. Any idea what that is supposed to be at 41.26?
EDIT: I found it on an old Conrail Track chart (before this section became BDRV): http://www.multimodalways.org/docs/rail ... 201983.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There was at one point a Tinsman Rd at 41.26. See page 176 of the link. The trees must be blocking it on Google maps (although if only 300 ft from the switch it should be visible.)

[brwfan]

Sorry should have said musconetcong river. Im not sure but I think there is a old bridge still there. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable like donko will chime in about that.

[pumpers]

Sorry should have said musconetcong river. Im not sure but I think there is a old bridge still there. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable like donko will chime in about that.

Yes, the specs you linked have a picture of the bridge. So it's there, but maybe not used.

[RailsEast]

The rfp is for freight service for the customer at MP 41. The bridge 'over the river' in question is indeed the RR bridge over the Musconetcong River (passable now, but with a 100K weight restriction), which is just a hundred yards south of the vehicular bridge over the Delaware River in Riegelsville (MP 41.9). There are no plans for passenger trains on this stretch anytime in the near future; current operations allow for trains down to MP 42.67 (nearly a mile north of Riegelsville).

The train (Don's 45-tonner with hack) will be back in Milford this weekend for the 'Milford Alive' celebration, with extended caboose hops (due to the recent tie replacement campaign); this will be only the second time in the past 25 years that a train has visited downtown Milford, so come on out & enjoy a free ride along the mighty Delaware River on the old Pennsy Bel-Del line. The weather forecast is absolutely perfect, so get there early...I believe the first train departs at 10am, and will run all day Saturday and also Sunday morning.

A scene from last year.....
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=4552879" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks to all,
Chris

[Donko142]

I believe the bridge you are talking about (300 ft North of the switch) is what is know to me as turntable bridge. I am not sure if this was a private bridge or public at some point in time. I was told this was a turn table out of P-burg. Small table, maybe 60 to 70 feet. When you go under it now you see 40% sky if u look up. I don't know what it is safe for these days.

PS there is more info and pics of the curve work South of MP41 from the last few weeks on face book. "Bel Del Maintenance of Way"

DC

[rr503]

Could you post some here for those of us who don't have FB?

Thanks!!

[RailsEast]

Another amazing and successful weekend in Milford, NJ, for the local townspeople and the railroad alike. The BDRR ran caboose hops on the half-hour for over 300 enthusiastic patrons (and one dog). This is why we do what we do; to see the smiles on peoples faces after they experience the train back again after more than 20 years away is pretty cool.
The rebuilding goes on, with more promising news ahead for this section of the old Pennsylvania Railroad......

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=4804718" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=4804724" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=4804720" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And the chamber of commerce shot.....
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=4804730" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Chris

[RailsEast]

As the NYSWTHS mow crew takes the weekend off from the very intensive trackwork of the past 8 weeks, we would like to thank everyone who contributed to this years fundraiser. Some bought a tie for $100, while others contributed a smaller amount or a larger amount; trust me, the society is extremely thankful for every single contributor. While working the train on Saturday, a few riders reached down into their pockets & handed me $10 or $20 while on their way off the hack.....I cannot express how good this made me & the other crew members feel, after many long hot days of blood, sweat and tears spent 'in the guage'.

We are not just cutting down trees to keep the line clear anymore....we are literally in the midst of achieving our goal of (at least) class 1 track from Milford to Phillipsburg.

A very special "thank you" is in order for the Liberty Historic Railway of New Jersey (http://www.lhry.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). Their mission is to provide direct monetary grants and other financial support to historic preservation projects and initiatives within the State of New Jersey. This great organization didn't just buy a tie, or ten......they donated a truckload of 160 ties!!

As always, there's room for anyone who wants to get their hands dirty & join our great crews on the railroad, message Donko142 here to get started.
Chris

BDRRLibertytruckloadTiesMilfordSept2017.jpg

[brwfan]

One of the cars derailed on the pumpkin train this weekend. No one hurt. Here's the article.
http://www.wfmz.com/news/lehigh-valley/ ... /638419197" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[NYS&W142Fan]

All,
This is the last weekend to ride the Great Pumpkin Train. Each Child that rides gets a free Pumpkin!

[NYS&W142Fan]

The Delaware River Railroad Excursions Polar Express Trains are running for the next four weekends.