If you didn't know, The Raritan River Railroad was a 12 mile short line in Centeral New Jersey from 1889 to 1977. This chat will be about its History and any interesting pictures people find.
The local library here in Black Lick, PA, has two of Lucius Beebe's books. I've checked out both, and I'm pretty sure one of them has both references and pictures of the Raritan. I'm writing this from the library now, but I can't find either book. Either they are in circulation oe haven't been put back on the shelf yet. I used to have both "Mixed Train Daily" and one other of Beebe's, the title of which I can't recall. It may be that there was something in "Mixed Train Daily" as well.
I just checked my copy of "Mixed Train Daily" and while the Raritan River RR is mentioned on pages 277 and 280 it's not pictured. It might be so in another Beebe book, the other two Beebe works I have are "Age of Steam," not in that one, and "20th Century," definately not in that one.
It might be in some of the other books I have but I'll have to have a look. Trouble is most of those books don't have indexes so it may take some time.
Hey, I found something!
A You Tube video of Raritan Railroad footage shot in 1953 starring one of the Raritan's ex-US Army 0-6-0's.
Enjoy it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNcVE-hrg8s
There is a Raritan River caboose (#7) at the Pine Creek RR , a tourist operation in Allaire State Park in NJ. The caboose was set up as an apartment to house any volunteers who came long distances to work at the railroad. It sits on a foundation and is in good shape. I don't know if it is still used as an accomodation.
Just checked Beebe's "Highball" out of the local library and voila! Chapter 1 , "Some Little Railroads" speaks about the RR and we are treated to some pictures, the 0-6-0 previously mentioned, plus flange stacked 2-8-2 no.5 and another Mike, no. 9.
Of interest to me, since I'm an Orthodox priest, Beebe mentions the line passing by the Orthodox Russian Church in South River.
Fr.Al Of interest to me, since I'm an Orthodox priest, Beebe mentions the line passing by the Orthodox Russian Church in South River.
https://saintpeterandpaul.org/
pajrr There is a Raritan River caboose (#7) at the Pine Creek RR , a tourist operation in Allaire State Park in NJ. The caboose was set up as an apartment to house any volunteers who came long distances to work at the railroad. It sits on a foundation and is in good shape. I don't know if it is still used as an accomodation.
Here's something really wild, the Pine Creek Railroad has a passenger coach from the Newfoundland Railway! We should know, Lady Firestorm and I rode it thirty years ago around the Pine Creek's track.
Nothin' to do with the Raritan River RR, but I thought everyone would like to know. Don't bother going to Newfoundland for a train ride, the Railway was abandoned in 1989, go to New Jersey!
Here in PA, the Oil Creek & Titusville has a number of cabooses that are used as a motel.
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