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6/15/2024
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Viewing Album:  Minersville Santa Train: Doubleheaded Steam / Rare mileage / and SANTA!
 
By:Bob Krug
Dates:11/30/2013 - 11/30/2013
Album Info:Double headed steam over rare mileage! Foamers were out in force in Schuylkill County, PA to see and ride the Santa Train. My grandson and I had tickets for the first run of the day which left Minersville at 11:00 a.m. We had a very enjoyable ride as the train backed down to West Cressona station, then returned to Minersville with 425 leading CNJ 113 in a doubleheader. And did I mention that SANTA was aboard our train? Santa gave each of the children a big candy cane. The candy cane was a big hit (and a sticky mess.) After our ride, I returned my grandson to his parents and headed back trackside, where I found out that 113 had been taken off the 1:00 train in Cressona due to low steam pressure. The cause was that on the first train's northbound run, it had been pulled almost exclusively by 425 in the lead. They didn't really need two locomotives pulling over 10 MPH track, so CNJ 113 didn't have the throttle open and there wasn't enough exhaust coming out of 113's stack to keep the boiler hot. A stopped steam locomotive is kept hot by running the stack blower to create a draft on the fire, so 113's crew was able to get her boiler pressure right back up while sitting in the yard. 113 was deemed fit to return to Minersville and teamed up again with 425 for the final northbound run of the day. The lesson for perhaps both crews: it's best to let both locomotives contribute tractive effort in a double header to keep them both hot. This was the first passenger excursion to Minersville since December, 1990. Thanks to Bob Kise for that info.
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Central Railroad of New Jersey steam locomotive #113 in profile at West Cressona yard
Title:  Central Railroad of New Jersey steam locomotive #113 in profile at West Cressona yard
Description:  Note the Baker valve gear and Wooton firebox on this impressive 0-6-0.
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 11:54:26 AM
Location:  West Cressona, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Yard,Steam
Locomotives:  CNJ 113(0-6-0)
Views:  460   Comments: 3
Teamed up once again, 425 and 113 accelerate the northbound 3:00 train out of West Cressona yard.
Title:  Teamed up once again, 425 and 113 accelerate the northbound 3:00 train out of West Cressona yard.
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 11:56:26 AM
Location:  West Cressona, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Yard,Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  RBMN 425(4-6-2) CNJ 113(0-6-0)
Views:  303   Comments: 1
RBMN #425 backs the Santa train past CNJ 113, which is waiting to be re-coupled onto the train
Title:  RBMN #425 backs the Santa train past CNJ 113, which is waiting to be re-coupled onto the train
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 12:34:29 PM
Location:  West Cressona, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Yard,Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  CNJ 113(0-6-0) RBMN 425(4-6-2)
Views:  368   Comments: 3
CNJ 113 and RBMN 425 side-by-side in West Cressona yard
Title:  CNJ 113 and RBMN 425 side-by-side in West Cressona yard
Description:  My favorite photo of the day; 425 has uncoupled from the trainset and pulled ahead onto the right track (which is the beginning of the Minersville Branch) to allow #113 on the left to back up and couple onto the train as the trailing locomotive on the double headed train. These photos from West Cressona were unscripted, and a real bonus for the railfans who found their way out to this spot. CNJ 113 is on the former Reading main line that leads up to Pottsville, where the RBMN railroad keeps the Yuengling Brewery supplied with covered hopper cars full of barley, malt, and hops.
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 12:06:31 PM
Location:  West Cressona, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Yard,Steam
Locomotives:  CNJ 113(0-6-0) RBMN 425(4-6-2)
Views:  562   Comments: 7
RBMN 425 and CNJ 113 backing the train southbound at Beck's
Title:  RBMN 425 and CNJ 113 backing the train southbound at Beck's
Description:  High dynamics made this better as a B&W photo
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 12:20:29 PM
Location:  Cressona, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  RBMN 425(4-6-2) CNJ 113(0-6-0)
Views:  231   Comments: 0
CNJ 113 couples onto the trainset.
Title:  CNJ 113 couples onto the trainset.
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 12:19:06 PM
Location:  West Cressona, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Yard,Steam,Passenger
Locomotives:  CNJ 113(0-6-0)
Views:  321   Comments: 2
Safety pressure relief valve lifting on CNJ 113
Title:  Safety pressure relief valve lifting on CNJ 113
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 12:21:45 PM
Location:  West Cressona, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Yard,Steam
Locomotives:  CNJ 113(0-6-0)
Views:  266   Comments: 2
CNJ 113 right side profile
Title:  CNJ 113 right side profile
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 12:26:18 PM
Location:  West Cressona, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Yard,Steam
Locomotives:  CNJ 113(0-6-0)
Views:  196   Comments: 0
CNJ 113 simmers in Minersville before the first departure
Title:  CNJ 113 simmers in Minersville before the first departure
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 12:29:50 PM
Location:  Minersville, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives:  CNJ 113(0-6-0)
Views:  244   Comments: 0
CNJ 113 three quarter shot
Title:  CNJ 113 three quarter shot
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 11:59:53 AM
Location:  West Cressona, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Yard,Steam
Locomotives:  CNJ 113(0-6-0)
Views:  209   Comments: 1
CNJ 113 tucked in behind 425 for the northbound run of the 3:00 Santa train
Title:  CNJ 113 tucked in behind 425 for the northbound run of the 3:00 Santa train
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 12:31:51 PM
Location:  West Cressona, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Yard,Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  CNJ 113(0-6-0)
Views:  206   Comments: 0
RBMN 425 and CNJ 113 ready to depart
Title:  RBMN 425 and CNJ 113 ready to depart
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 11:58:08 AM
Location:  West Cressona, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Yard,Steam,Passenger
Locomotives:  RBMN 425(4-6-2) CNJ 113(0-6-0)
Views:  222   Comments: 0
RBMN 425 is backing the 1:00 train south to West Cressona station
Title:  RBMN 425 is backing the 1:00 train south to West Cressona station
Description:  Photo location: Beck's crossing on the north end of Cressona
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 12:02:16 PM
Location:  Cressona, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Passenger
Locomotives:  RBMN 425(4-6-2)
Views:  115   Comments: 0
The 1:00 Santa train heads back north to Minersville with 425 solo
Title:  The 1:00 Santa train heads back north to Minersville with 425 solo
Description:  CNJ 113 was left behind in West Cressona yard due to low steam pressure - 113's crew was able to rectify the problem in time for it to re-join the 3:00 Santa train on the northbound (return) leg.
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 12:39:30 PM
Location:  Glenworth, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  RBMN 425(4-6-2)
Views:  164   Comments: 0
RBMN 425 switches to the Minersville branch after uncoupling from the train
Title:  RBMN 425 switches to the Minersville branch after uncoupling from the train
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 12:43:43 PM
Location:  West Cressona, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Yard,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  RBMN 425(4-6-2)
Views:  113   Comments: 0
RBMN 425, sans CNJ 113 pulls the 1:00 train northbound through Westwood Junction.
Title:  RBMN 425, sans CNJ 113 pulls the 1:00 train northbound through Westwood Junction.
Description:  The diverging track is RBMN's branch out to Tremont and Good Spring. In Reading Company days this place was called Westwood Junction. I believe these Santa trains may have been 425's first time ever to visit Minersville station.
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 12:04:25 PM
Location:  Westwood Jct, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  RBMN 425(4-6-2)
Views:  278   Comments: 0
Getting started
Title:  Getting started
Description:  Lots of steam as 425 and 113 get the northbound Santa train underway.
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 12:50:13 PM
Location:  West Cressona, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  RBMN 425(4-6-2)
Views:  119   Comments: 0
The conductor rode on the rear platform of this caboose for the southbound shove
Title:  The conductor rode on the rear platform of this caboose for the southbound shove
Description:  But by the time the little red caboose came along, all the boys and girls were turning away....because the little red caboose always came LAST!
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 12:45:48 PM
Location:  Minersville, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  186   Comments: 0
RBMN 3058 in West Cressona yard. This was probably the "protect" engine for the Santa specials
Title:  RBMN 3058 in West Cressona yard. This was probably the "protect" engine for the Santa specials
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 12:51:12 PM
Location:  Cressona, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives:  RBMN 3058(SD40-2)
Views:  211   Comments: 0
Grandpa, grandson, and Santa enjoying the ride (and the candy cane)
Title:  Grandpa, grandson, and Santa enjoying the ride (and the candy cane)
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/1/2013 12:52:12 PM
Location:  Minersville, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  89   Comments: 0
A shot of me next to the Rock Star of Eastern Pennsylvania railfandom: RBMN 425
Title:  A shot of me next to the Rock Star of Eastern Pennsylvania railfandom: RBMN 425
Description:  ex-Reading Company Minersville Station to the right across Sunbury Street. Thank you to Bob Kise for answering my question: "When was the last time a passenger train operated out of Minersville?" The answer is: Dec 22, 1990, when 425 pulled several RDC's for a Santa Train.
Photo Date:  11/30/2013  Upload Date: 12/2/2013 9:40:54 PM
Location:  Minersville, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Station,Steam
Locomotives:  RBMN 425(4-6-2)
Views:  165   Comments: 1

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