Nostalgia & History > Waycar Wednesday - Jersey Builder edition

In 1973, the New Jersey DOT acquired a number of retired lightweight coaches from Burlington Northern for conversion to commuter service.  They were handled one or two at a time from Chicago to New Jersey in eastbound EL freight trains, usually just ahead of the caboose.  Here we see one such car still attired in GN BSB paint ahead of former DL&W caboose EL C-894 at Pavonia OH.  Slide mount says MAR 73.  The coaches were quickly pressed into service without being repainted, with the resultant trains being referred to as "Jersey Builders" or "Bay Head Empire Builders".  Here we see one such train, westbound under the PC catenary at Elizabeth NJ behind CNJ GP40P 3678 on May 6, 1973.  Vincent J. Benkovitz photo, my collection.

Edited to correct the caboose number.  I blame this and all previous and subsequent typos on the large tortoiseshell cat who insists on sitting in my lap whenever I'm at my desk, and gives me this look if I try to move her.

mike woodruff
north platte ne



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/03/25 10:00 by swaool.

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Photo one is a true historic gem!
Bob

I can't remember ever having seen a matched set of those cars. Were the seats reconfigured for commuter service?

Very nice.   There's a good chance that GP40P is still operating on NJ Transit.

CPR_4000 Wrote:
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> Were the seats reconfigured for
> commuter service?

Eventually, they were.  The restroom lounges at both ends of each car were torn out to make room for more seats.  Just the toilet rooms were left on some cars.

Very nice Mike.  A lot to look at in that first photo besides the GN car.  I like the DL&W caboose, the EL boxcars and the Clinchfield hoppers on the other track.  There is a good chance my soon to be 11 year old self was standing next to my Uncle Vincent when he took that shot at Elizabeth.

Real cute kitty. upkpfan