Following article appeared in the Courier News (NJ) on Monday, 5-16-11.
A historical ride on Hunterdon County railroad
by Walter O’Brien - Staff Writer
May. 16, 2011
EAST AMWELL — Bringing passenger train service back to Hunterdon County is a hot topic, but here’s a chance to ride the rails where passengers haven’t ridden in years.
The Black River Railroad Historical Trust will run special train excursions on May 28 and May 29, in addition to its regular Ringoes-Flemington trips on May 30, all from the railroad’s station in Ringoes.
A Photo Freight excursion will leave at 10:30 a.m. May 28 from Ringoes Station for a ride on a mixed freight train featuring restored vintage rolling stock along hard-to-reach areas of the Black River & Western
Railroad between Ringoes and the Three Bridges section of Readington. This five-hour round-trip will include several run-bys at various stops on the line to allow passengers to disembark and take photographs. Some stops are between stations, so be sure to wear sturdy footwear. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under 3 ride free.
The Three Bridges excursion sets off at 10:45 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. May 29 from Ringoes for a two-hour round-trip over the entire active Black River & Western line between Ringoes and Three Bridges in a rare opportunity to ride the rails usually reserved for freight traffic only. These are some of the tracks being discussed in plans to bring commuter passenger rail service back between Flemington and Bound Brook. Tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for children 3 to 12. Children under 3 ride free.
Reservations and tickets are required for both trips. Light refreshments will be available on the train, but there are no restrooms.
As part of the Black River Railroad Historic Trust’s nonprofit mission to keep railroad history alive in New Jersey, the trust is restoring Central New Jersey Coach #1009 and Central New Jersey Baggage Car #420.
The plan is to put the coach back in service for passengers, and to make the baggage car a showpiece in an interactive museum telling the story of railroading in the Northeast. The trust’s work is funded by donations and purchases at the Ringoes Station gift shop.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Hunterdon holiday train excursions
WHEN: Memorial Day Weekend
WHERE: Ringoes Station, 105 John Ringo Road, East Amwell
INFO: Email info@brrht.org or visit Black River
Railroad Historic Trust web site: http://www.brrht.org/
Regular summer schedule excursion train rides between Flemington and Ringoes begin on Monday, May 30th. See the web site above for more information.