By M.T. Burkhart

FLEMINGTON, N.J. – Black River & Western has painted 2-8-0 60 into the scheme it wore in tourist service fifty years ago.

The former Great Western Railroad “Consolidation” emerged from the Ringoes, N.J., shops in early April dressed in whitewalls, white striping and a dark smokebox. Gone was the diamond on the cab in favor of just the road number, and “Black River & Western” spelled out on the tender.

Built by Alco in 1937, it originally pulled sugar beet trains for the Great Western in Colorado. It came to the BR&W in 1963. Tourist trains typically run from Flemington to Ringoes, N.J., with the Norfolk Southern freight interchange at Three Bridges, N.J.

Locomotive 60’s first run in its “1970s throwback” scheme was an April 2 photo charter, but the railroad said it will remain in its current paint for the rest of the season. It led a full slate of Easter specials and is scheduled to pull “Black River Limited” trains on select weekends this summer.  For the full schedule, visit www.blackriverrailroad.com.