Tom’s Raritan River Railroad Page

Tom’s Raritan River Railroad Page

www.RaritanRiver-RR.com

Joe Basara’s Pictures

Joe grew up on Serviss Avenue in South River during the 70s. He saw the red Raritan River Railroad switchers running behind his house on a regular basis. Joe was even around shortly after the fire that leveled the shops complex shortly after Conrail took over. He was allowed inside some of the Cabooses, got to know the engineers really well, even saw RRRR Crane #3 get cut up.

Here are some of Joe’s pictures and photos to document his life along the old Ricky.

Click on each picture or link to see a full 640x800 picture

Early Years

Post Card from 1953 shows Steam Locomotive #19

Later Years

Diesel Tank in South Amboy - 1983

Shops complex in SA - 1983

Shortly after this picture was taken, the

The shops complex is abandoned by this point. Conrail took over in 1981, and immediately shut down the shops. The existing EMD SW900 switchers were left unprotected and running in Parlin to the annoyance of the town and its residents.

Minimal maintenance was done on them, and after two years of abuse, the switchers were scrapped in 1983. About the same time, the shops complex was torched (burned to the ground), and the Parlin Station was needlessly torn down.

Both the Shops and the Parlin Station could have been rented out. In fact even the SW900s, had they not been abused and non-maintained, could have been sold off as working engines.

Funny how when Conrail wanted to make a point, nothing stood in their way.

Shops Complex shortly after the fire - 1983

RRRR hopper car, used for sand - 1980

Parlin Station - 1980

Parlin Station shortly before its torn down.

The Parlin Station is also abandoned at this point. Torn down shortly after this picture was taken.

Joe on Caboose #6

Joe in Caboose #6

RRRR #6 behind Joe’s House along the South River Branch

Joe’s laundry in his backyard as RRRR #6 heads down the South River Branch

Shots of the RRRR on the South River Branch are rare and hard to come by!

Joe stands along RRRR Crane #3 shortly before its cut up. - 1980

RRRR Crane #3 is no more!

RRRR Crane #3 continues to get cut up - 1983

Raritan River Inspection Train – 1973

See related story here: Caboose #8

http://www.raritanriver-rr.com/RRRRCaboose8.htm

Caboose #8

See related story here: Caboose #8

http://www.raritanriver-rr.com/RRRRCaboose8.htm

Caboose #7 (1^nd)

Currently at Pine Creek RR at Alaire State Park, NJ

(during the late 1960’s, a Vermont Railway caboose was on its way to Alaire State park to be parked as a static display. The RRRR realizing that this Vermont Railway caboose was in better shape then their current #7 decided to swap the cabooses. That’s how the RRRR Caboose #7 made it to Alaire State Park)