Bordentown Camden & Amboy Railroad Historic District Project Update IX

On Saturday, April 25, 2026, project leader and WJC member Pierre Lacombe held another work session a the Camden & Amboy Railroad Heritage Park. At this session volunteers assembled a frame around the display depicting the three styles of track construction used on the Bordentown Branch between Bordentown and Trenton, and the mainline between Trenton and New Brunswick, which ran for much of its distance along the Delaware & Raritan Canal. Following the frame construction, Geocloth was laid down as a barrier against weeds, and ¾-inch crushed stone was placed in the display. Also, previously, a short section of track depicting track construction from the early 20th century has aligned and spiked down into cross ties. This section of track is next to the retaining wall on the north side of the display area. The display is located just east of the NJ Transit Bordentown River Line station parking lot. Photos by John Burlage.

Princeton Junction Railfanning

On Saturday, April 11, four West Jersey Chapter members congregated at Princeton Junction to photograph Amtrak and NJ Transit action on the Northeast Corridor, plus a side trip on the Princeton Branch riding the Dinky. The trains were plentiful. On Amtrak, both types of Acela train sets roared through, along with Northeast Regional, Keystone, and long-distance trains. Some Amtrak trains had an ACS-64 locomotive on each end. NJ Transit used multi-level coaches exclusively, usually powered by an ALP-46 or ALP-46A, but an ALP-45DP was also seen. Two Jersey Arrow III single units made up the Dinky. (The former PRR Princeton passenger station is now a restaurant named “The Dinky.”) Perhaps the strangest sight was seeing an Amtrak hi-rail truck heading west on Track 2. While this track was occupied, eastward trains, including an Acela, were sent down Track 1. WJC member Ralph Zabielski made a video of the happenings at Princeton Junction and Princeton. Its length is 27:59. Photos by John Burlage.

Delaware & Raritan Canal/Camden & Amboy Railroad Geology Hike

On Saturday, March 28, WJC Member Pierre Lacombe led a walk and talk on the transition between the Delaware & Raritan Canal and the Camden & Amboy Railroad at Bordentown. Pierre discussed the geology of New Jersey, the track construction methods used on the Camden & Amboy, and the construction techniques used on the Delaware & Raritan Canal. Also on display were facsimiles of interpretive signs that will be placed at fourteen locations in Bordentown on the Camden & Amboy.

The Camden & Amboy Railroad was up and running in 1832 between Bordentown and South Amboy. The Delaware & Raritan Canal was in operation in 1834, as was the full length of the C&A. In 1837 the C&A built the Bordentown Branch to Trenton along the east side of the D&R Canal. The D&R and the C&A built a bridge over Crosswicks Creek so workers and others could walk between the two transportation methods.

Our tour included visiting replicas of the railroad tracks of the C&A in a small park at the light rail station in Bordentown. Pierre discussed the railroad, the canal, the walking bridge over Crosswicks Creek, and the sand and gravel quarry work at what is today Riverview Studios. The quarried sand and gravel was used to build the elevated causeway across Hamilton Marsh on the east side of the canal.

C&A-related photos by Dave Homer. D&R-related photos by John Burlage. WJC group photo by Mitch Dakelman. Facsimiles of C&A interpretive signs provided by Pierre Lacombe.

Informal Event: Railfanning at Levittown

On Tuesday, March 10, WJC members Fred Ciocciola, Will Dicke, Dave Homer, and Ralph Zabielski spent the morning at the SEPTA Levittown-Tullytown station on the Northeast Corridor photographing Amtrak, SEPTA, and CSX action, and Ralph made a video of the trains passing through or stopping at the station. Amtrak trains included Northeast Regional, Keystone, Acela, and Acela Next Generation, while SEPTA ran Silverliner IV, Silverliner V, and push-pull sets. CSX made two light engine moves through the station. Photos by Dave Homer.

February Chapter Membership Meeting

Due to inclement weather, West Jersey Chapter held its February membership meeting virtually via Zoom, on Monday, February 23, 2026. WJC member Rich Taylor shows us a diverse selection of the PRSL scenes he captured all across South Jersey during family vacations, mostly during 1967-1975 when Budd RDCs and GP-38s ruled the rails. You can play a recording of the presentation by clicking on the image or by clicking here. The length of the program is 58:09.

January Chapter Membership Meeting

Due to inclement weather, West Jersey Chapter held its January membership meeting virtually via Zoom, on Monday, January 26, 2026. WJC member Will Dicke takes us along for a photographic railroad tour of Alaska, the largest US state. Starting at the tiny village of Carcross in Canada’s Yukon, he rides the narrow-gauge White Pass and Yukon Route back to Skagway. Later, he shows us the entirety of the Alaska Railroad’s passenger territory from Seward to Fairbanks with a stopover in Talkeetna. Throughout we are treated to glimpses of beautiful wilderness scenery, historic rail equipment, and the railroad employees who make these trips possible. You can play a recording of the presentation by clicking on the image or by clicking here. The length of the program is 1:14:35.

Bordentown Camden & Amboy Railroad Historic District Project Update VIII

On Saturday, January 17, 2026, project leader and WJC member Pierre Lacombe held another work session a the Camden & Amboy Railroad Heritage Park. At this session volunteers assembled the railroad tracks for three more Camden & Amboy track styles for the replica display. Geocloth was laid down, and the replica tracks were installed. These styles of track were erected in 1837 along the C&A Bordentown Branch between Bordentown and Trenton. Two more replica track styles will be installed at a later time. Between work sessions Pierre has ballasted the track display which features the seven track structure styles used on the Camden & Amboy mainline between South Amboy and Camden. The display is just east of the NJ Transit Bordentown River Line station parking lot. Photos by John Burlage.

December Chapter Membership Meeting

West Jersey Chapter held its December membership meeting virtually via Zoom, on Monday, December 29, 2025. WJC member and prolific railroad photographer Bob Vogel shows us a rapid-fire selection of electric railroad operations from Vancouver to San Diego, from Chicago to New Orleans, and as far east as Pittsburgh. Trolley/streetcar, subway, elevated, monorail, and traditional standard-gauge trains are all represented. You can play a recording of the presentation by clicking on the image or by clicking here. The length of the program is 44:19.

Northeast Corridor Post-Thanksgiving Rush

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the heaviest travel day of the year, so several West Jersey Chapter members witnessed the parade of Amtrak and SEPTA Trenton Local trains at the Cornwells Heights, Pa., station on the Northeast Corridor on November 30. Despite the rain, WJC members were able to photograph Amtrak cab car 9635 in its new livery, the new second-generation Acela trainsets, and both classes of SEPTA Silverliners. Photos by Dave Homer.

November Chapter Membership Meeting

West Jersey Chapter held its November membership meeting at the Francis J. Ward Recreation & Community Center in Audubon, N. J., and virtually via Zoom, on Monday, November 24, 2025. The Philadelphia, Marlton & Medford Railroad was a branch line running from Haddonfield to Medford, New Jersey. Initially created by the Camden & Atlantic in 1881, it soon came under control of the Pennsylvania Railroad, eventually becoming PRR’s Medford Branch. WJC members Randy Acorcey and Hank Cutler explore the line’s 50-year history, including its stations, locomotives, and right-of-way. Maps and present-day photography are used to place the line in relation to modern landmarks such as housing developments, businesses, and NJ Route 70. You can play a recording of the presentation by clicking on the image or by clicking here. The length of the program is 59:57.

Operation Toy Train

On Saturday, November 22, the Woodstown Central Railroad sponsored Operation Toy Train, supporting the Marines’ Toys for Tots Foundation. Stops to receive new, unwrapped toys and meet Santa were made in Salem, Woodstown, and Swedesboro. West Jersey Chapter members Randy Acorcey, Hank Cutler, Dave Homer, Alex Rodriguez, Ken Schwarz, and Paula Williamson were on hand to deliver toys. A total of 368 toys were collected. Many thanks to all those who donated to this worthy cause. Photos by or provided by Dave Homer.

Bordentown Camden & Amboy Railroad Historic District Project Update VII

On Saturday, November 22, a wooden border was installed around the display of the seven different types of track construction used by the Camden & Amboy Railroad in the 1830s. At upcoming work sessions the border will be aligned and the track will be ballasted with crushed stone. The display is just east of the NJ Transit Bordentown River Line station parking lot. Photos by John Burlage.

Belcoville Tour

On Saturday, November 8, West Jersey Chapter members toured the remains of the World War I ordnance manufacturing facility at Belcoville, south of Mays Landing. “Belco” is an acronym for Bethlehem Loading Company. The facility was constructed in 1918, and was about 70 percent complete when the war ended in November, 1918. The plant had 24 miles of railroad track. For more information, see the following links: Belcoville, BLC Photo Collection, and Bethlehem Loading Company Sign Tour on Atlantic County’s website.

October Chapter Membership Meeting

West Jersey Chapter held its October membership meeting at the Francis J. Ward Recreation & Community Center in Audubon, N. J., and virtually via Zoom, on Monday, October 27, 2025. The New Jersey shore was seen as a place of healing and relaxation in the 19th century and even earlier. However with primitive roads and few lodging options it was difficult to travel there. The railroads made it possible for people of even modest means to vacation at the shore, thus creating the shore tourism industry we know today. By 1927, of the 120 miles of Jersey coastline, only 8 miles were not directly accessible by railroad. Our presenter is Bill Elwell, a WJC member and Adjunct Professor of History at Monmouth University. You can play a recording of the presentation by clicking on the image or by clicking here. The length of the program is 59:48.

WJC 2025 Annual Meeting

West Jersey Chapter held its annual meeting at the Francis J. Ward Recreation & Community Center in Audubon, N. J., and virtually via Zoom, on Monday, October 27, 2025. At this meeting the results of the annual election were announced. The minutes of the last annual meeting, held on October 28, 2024, were approved, and the following directors were re-elected to serve as the Director Class of 2028: Randy Acorcey, Steve Grous, Pierre Lacombe, Don Lee, Rich Magee, and Kyle Payne. Congratulations! The cost of conducting the annual election using paper ballots was also reviewed.

West Jersey Chapter members can receive a PDF copy of this presentation upon request. Please email us at board@westjersey-nrhs.org and request a copy.

Bordentown Camden & Amboy Railroad Historic District Project Update VI

On Saturday, October 25, the south rail of the Camden & Amboy Railroad track display in Bordentown was leveled, aligned, and gauged to 4 feet 8½ inches (standard gauge) between the rails. Project leader and WJC member Pierre Lacombe and his team of volunteers started today’s work by raising and leveling the stone sleepers, which weigh 400-500 pounds each. Pry bars were used to raise the sleepers enough so that stone or concrete shims could be placed beneath the sleepers. This done, the six other types of C&A track construction were leveled and aligned. The display is just east of the NJ Transit Bordentown River Line station parking lot.

Meanwhile, on the River Line, northbound trains ended their runs at the Bordentown station instead of Trenton because of trackwork being performed this weekend north of Bordentown. NJ Transit shuttle buses were employed to take passengers from Bordentown to Trenton, and vice versa for southbound trips. Photos by John Burlage.

Stratford Knights of Columbus Fall Toy and Train Collectable Show

West Jersey Chapter had a table at the Stratford Knights of Columbus show, held at John Paul II Regional Catholic School on Warwick Road in Stratford on Saturday, October 25. WJC’s table was manned by Ben Makem (left) and Hank Cutler, who sold Chapter publications, distributed information on WJC, and fielded questions about railroads and working train museums in South Jersey. WJC attends many train and railroadiana shows in our area. Please check our Event Calendar for upcoming shows in which we participate, drop by and say hello.

WJC Locker/Archive Work Session

On Monday, October 20, West Jersey Chapter members met at our storage locker in Cherry Hill for a work session. Photographs from our collection were culled, and books and periodicals reserved for the WJC library were sorted, culled and boxed. Books and photographs in WJC’s collection cover a wide range to topics germane to our region. Work sessions are normally scheduled for 9:00 AM on Mondays and last about three hours. If you would like to help out, please email Dave Homer for details. Photos by John Burlage.