A former Reading FP7 will make its debut at the Woodstown Central in New Jersey this weekend. SMS Rail Service, which operates the Woodstown Central, recently completed the restoration of Reading 902, one of two acquired from the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society and the Philadelphia Chapter of the NRHS in 2023.

The two units were built in 1950 as part of a six-unit order. The locomotives later ended up on SEPTA. In the 1990s, they were used in excursion service and eventually made their way to Scranton, Pa. A few years ago, they went to SMS Rail for use on the Woodstown Central. Woodstown Central began operations on county-owned tracks between its namesake town and Swedesboro and Salem, NJ, in November 2022.

Reading 902 will lead the “Scenic Rambler” on May 10. The 32-mile, 2-hour trip will run between Swedesboro and Mannington, N.J. The engine will likely be leading excursions throughout the spring as Woodstown Central 0-6-0 9, wrahich was restored to service last year, is presently down for repairs. —Railfan & Railroad Staff