Steam & Excursion > HICO History Book

The History book opens with my recalling the days when dad took me to the CNJ station in Plainfield, NJ and also the CNJ roundhouse in Dunellen, NJ. We then progressed to Becker's dairy farm in Roseland, NJ. All of these trps were late 1940'-early 1950's. By 1965, I had the opertunity to fire the #60 on the Black River & Westeern RR out of Ringoes, NJ. Then came mainline speed with the High Iron Company... (photos from the book)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/16/24 10:46 by scoopdejour.

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Great stories and photos...You need to get this book!
Photos my collection...photo #2 at Annandale, NJ - on CNJ westbound.

rr caboose



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/16/24 16:06 by rrcaboose.

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When the bug bites, it bites hard and doesn't heal.

Any one know the scale of the live steamer in photo 1?  Is the 4-8-2 a Lackawanna type or freelance?  Beautiful piece of machinery.
jb

boejoe Wrote:
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> Any one know the scale of the live steamer in
> photo 1?  Is the 4-8-2 a Lackawanna type or
> freelance?  Beautiful piece of machinery.
> jb

2 inch scale, I believe

Is that Live Steamer still with us today? Does anybody know of its current location?

boejoe Wrote:
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> Any one know the scale of the live steamer in
> photo 1?  Is the 4-8-2 a Lackawanna type or
> freelance?  Beautiful piece of machinery.

Built in 1950, Centerville & Southwestern 1501 is a 2" scale 4-8-4 based on the DL&W Q-1 class. It still exists on display in Howell, Michigan. There is a great Wikipedia page all about the Becker Farm Railroad where the above photo was taken.

Posted from Android

Chris Bost
Leesport, PA



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/24 14:21 by RBMN-ENGR.

Just looking at the track it appears the engine is 1.6" scale.  Track gauge is 7.5".  Nice looking engine.

tomstp Wrote:
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> Just looking at the track it appears the engine is
> 1.6" scale.  Track gauge is 7.5".  Nice looking
> engine.

Pretty sure that the whole system, i.e. locomotives, cars, and track was 2" Scale (9 7/16 inch gauge). When I was in high school, mid to late 1950s, I visited that railroad a LOT.

I'd bet that HotWater is correct...
Never got to see it.

But, spent 2 summers --- '65 & '66--- with NJ Live Steamers, as we were adding
the 1 1/2" /1ft track, sub grade and ballast, Liberty Corner, NJ.

Then I found Hart's operations in York, Pa. (12" to the Foot).
4ft 8.5" track gauge... hundreds of tons..

I like 12" to-the-foot ..... But, the Iron Maidens have had me begging for 
relief.  

I learn someting new everyday.
Some of my most inspired explorations have originated here on TrainOrders:
Folks will ask a seeming innocuous question.... that lies at the heart of a very
complex science and involved explanations:  like 'counterbalancing'...

Life, for me, changed forever! 
Thank you, Ross Rowland, Jr.

​W.


 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/24 14:34 by wcamp1472.

tomstp Wrote:
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> Just looking at the track it appears the engine is
> 1.6" scale.  Track gauge is 7.5".  Nice looking
> engine.

Why do people post a guess, and in incorrect one at that, when others have already posted the correct information?

In reading the Wikipedia article, Jack (Hotwater) is correct about the gauge.  9-7/16"