RAHWAY VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY
(Leased to and controlled by Rahway Valley Company)
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Historical Snapshot: In 1895 the New York & New Orange Railroad constructed a four mile industrial line from New Orange (later Kenilworth) to the Central Railroad of New Jersey at Aldene, New Jersey. They hoped New Orange would become an industrial center. Included in the charter was a line to Summit from New Orange to connect with the Delaware, Lakawana & Western at Summit New Jersey. It did not happen. Louis Keller, developing the Baltusrol Golf Club near by, and along that projected line to Summit, incorporated the Rahway Valley Railroad on July 18, 1904. In March of 1905 he purchased the New Orange Four Junction Railroad, as it was known, and brought it into the Keller Family. His initial plan was to provide passenger service to those who would use his Golf Course. In short order the line was built to Summit and freight and passenger service begun. That service included 14 passenger trains a day. Unfortunately, the DL&W would not connect with the Keller railroad. That access was denied. It was not until 1931 when times were hard that such a connection was agreed to. From that point on the Rahway Valley Railroad would see much more business. By then it was operating as a freight only railroad providing service to many local customers along its line. Likewise, it did a good bridge business interchanging cars between the Central Railroad of New Jersey at Adlene and the Lehigh Valley at Roselle with the Delaware Lackawana & Western at Summit. From early on the Keller Family held most the bonds and controlled the operation. In 1909 they transfered the operations to a leasee , the Rahway Valley Company, for a guarenteed lease fee. At first it was a dollar amount and later a percentage of net. Eventually the bonds were repaid, although extended for ten years in 1934. Later the Keller Estate shared in fifty-percent of net. The Leasee Company saw sufficient business to share net income most years. In 1941 the Leasee reported the following: Mainline - Aldene to Summit New Jersey - 8.75mi - Lehigh Valley Jct, to Roselle Park - 2.02mi Branchline - Wright's Switch to Hilton, - 2.98mi Spurs, sidings and yard tracks - 3.79mi Locomotives: 4-steam Equipment: 1 - caboose, #102 acquired second hand 1934 Eventually the three remaining steam locomotives were replaced by two new General Electric 70-ton diesels. The Line would go on under the Keller Estate lease until December 22, 1986, when it was sold to a subsidiary of the Delaware Otsego Company. The line eventually started cutting back and ceased operations in 1992. In 1994 the State and County bought what was left for future planning. * Other known locomotives: Steam - #3, #7, #10, 2-8-0's #14 & #15 Diesels - #16 & #17 - GE 70-ton
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Rahway Valley 2-6-0 #11
Image, Rahway Valley 2-6-0 Loco #11 1934 Order No. RWY11I Photographer: George E. Votava In this, perhaps, sad view Rahway Valley R.R. Co. 2-6-0 locomotive #11, built by Baldwin in 1903, waits! Taken in October of 1934, at Kenilworth, New Jersey,this locomotive was scrapped in 1935. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] --------------------Rahway Valley 2-8-0 #12
Image, Rahway Valley 2-8-0 Loco #12 1938 Order No. RWY12I Photographer: George E. Votava October, 1938, Kenilworth, New Jersey: Former Bessemer & Lake Erie, now Rahway Valley 2-8-0 #12, locomotive is captured between assignments. Note covered stack to keep moisture and debree out. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] -------------------
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