I am currently trying to model the Chestnut Ridge Railway, a small shortline located in Palmerton, PA. The line served/serves the New Jersey Zinc Company, a zinc smelting/processing complex which, at one time, had two facilities in Palmerton--East and West plants. The West Plant was shut down in 1980... I think.
If anyone has any info or pictures to offer I will be very thankful. I have done pleanty of research on the internet with little success. I especially need plans or pictures of the old NJZ West Plant which was demolished in 1991. Also if anybody knows the story behind the CHR's original Alco switchers, when were they retired? were they scrapped? I am modeling early-mid 1970s so I need to know about the locos and dates of when they were taken out of service. or are they still in use?
I know that was a mouthful... if anyone else models the CHR please leave a reply.
Any info or insight, history, or knowledge about the Chestnut Ridge Railway or New Jersey Zinc Co. will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance - Matt
The book, Pennsylvania Short Lines in Color, Vol. 1, by Gary R. Carlson, Morning Sun Books, 2003, has coverage of the Chestnut Ridge, including a selection of 12 color photos taken in the 1969-1979 period. Chestnut Ridge Alco S-2 no. 11 is shown, as well as New Jersey Zinc S-2's no.'s 22 and 23. Chestnut ridge caboose 602 is shown, as well as switching activities at Palmerton East and West. I know I've seen coverage of this little railroad elsewhere, but can't remember where. I also recall seeing steam era photos of their little 0-6-0 switchers.
Tom
Thanks Tom! I am trying to build New Jersey Zinc West Plant in HO. Hard to kitbash/scratchbuild because it's been gone since '91 and very few pictures are availible to the public :(
Have you seen this page? http://www.abandonedamerica.us/new-jersey-zinc
Also Refers to book which has Chapter on the place.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/2361950944/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=2361950944&linkCode=as2&tag=abandameri-20&linkId=5E3GACFWHUTYKAVV
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
Looks like a good book.
Does anybody know the story behind their locomotives?
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
From the Pennsylvania Short Lines book cited above:
"The shortline dieselized in 1946 with two 1,000-hp Alco S-2 switchers, No. 10, acquired in September and No 11, purchased in December. The two locomotives handled main line freight and inter-plant chores, and four New Jersey Zinc Company Alco S-2 units, Nos. 20 through 23, took care of intra-plant work."
The book mentions that the steam era roster included one 2-6-0, two 4-6-0's, one 0-8-0, and four 0-6-0's in both conventional and saddle tank variations.
Mack/Brill Railbus no. 51 is also mentioned as being used in M-O-W service, and appears in three photos. Unfortunately, nothing is said about whether that piece of equipment has survived.
ACYMack/Brill Railbus no. 51 is also mentioned as being used in M-O-W service, and appears in three photos. Unfortunately, nothing is said about whether that piece of equipment has survived.
If you are modelling the 70s then you’ll need #21, Alco S-2, built 8/46, Builders # 74664, scrapped 4/21/2008. http://www.thedieselshop.us/ChesnutRdge.HTML dated June 1980 assumed to be #21 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3203390 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3203400
That's good info, thanks. Was no. 21 repainted at sometime? I found a few pictures on ebay about a year ago. I have them saved to my computer but can't find a webpage so I can't post them. It is painted blue with a white stripe and lettered not for new jersey zinc, but chestnut ridge railway.It matches the old 21 (painted black and lettered for NJZ) right down to the dent in the handrail. any thoughts? Maybe someone knows what I am talking about.
also good view of NJZ West plant in those other two photos.
conrail2Was no. 21 repainted at sometime? I found a few pictures on ebay about a year ago. I have them saved to my computer but can't find a webpage so I can't post them. It is painted blue with a white stripe and lettered not for new jersey zinc, but chestnut ridge railway.
The blue and white S-2 lettered for Chestnut Ridge Railway, Road# RE1055, according to this site has the builders#69654. http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr819.htm
no, thats not the one. There is another blue S2 but road# 21. I wish I could find a picture.
conrail2 I wish I could find a picture.
Don’t worry, you’re not the first, I didn’t properly link to a photo I had turned up in researching one of my own projects, and I’m blowed if I can find it again.
"JaBear" I would however suggest that for your modelled early 1970s you’d be safe using the New Jersey Zinc colour scheme.
"JaBear"
I would however suggest that for your modelled early 1970s you’d be safe using the New Jersey Zinc colour scheme.
oh yeah, definitely.
When was #11 scrapped? I know it doesn't matter for my modeling, but I'm just curious. What about that other S2 numbered RE1055?
conrail2When was #11 scrapped?
conrail2 What about that other S2 numbered RE1055?
"JaBear" RE#1055 was leased (?) to Cargill according to this photo dated 10/7/2007. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1936016
RE#1055 was leased (?) to Cargill according to this photo dated 10/7/2007.
Thanks, that's helpful.
Anybody have any aerial pictures or info about the New Jersey Zinc Co?
If I don't get struck by lightning by mentioning a magazine from another publisher, you might want to pick up a copy of the current issue (3rd Quarter 2015; Issue #3) of Trains & Railroads of the Past. This still appears under the "TRP" logo and is the remaking of The Railroad Press from White River Productions. It is on newstands now.
Four photos of Chestnut Ridge right-of-way (and S1 #10) are on pages 34/35, and then there is a photo of S2 #11 on page 59 that is a different paint scheme than #10... and on a very nifty concrete trestle at the zinc plant.
Bill
Thanks Bill; I'll check that out.
Hello, I grew up in Palmerton and am a model railroader, possibly because as a kid I watched steam and later diesel switchers work the yard behind Delaware Avenue, from my grandparents' house. My grandfather was James Samuel Ziegler, an undertaker and also a member of the Chestnut Ridge Railway board of directors. He arranged for my brother and me to have a short ride on the diesel. Would love to see pictures of your models. Jim Foley, james.foley@comcast.net
I googled "New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton NJ" and found a lot of information the company including a lot of pictures of the plant. hope this helps.
Caldreamer
NJ Zinc was the only large shipper on the Lehigh & Hudson River and was at Franklin NJ. New Jersey Mines (miningartifacts.org)
https://ctr.trains.com/railroad-reference/fallen-flags/2020/07/remembering-the-lehigh-hudson-river-railway