October 2016

Member SpotlightMinersville Borough is Home to Only Active Steam Engine to Run on Anthracite CoalStationed in the small borough of Minersville, Schuylkill County is one of the last remaining steam engines from the Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ). Built in 1923 and used for more than three decades, the steam en-gine is now under the care of the Railway Restoration Project 113, a non-profit organization dedicated to the history of railroading in Schuylkill County.

What is so unique about the CNJ 113 is that it’s the only active steam engine to run on anthracite coal. Only one other CNJ steam locomotive survives, 4-4-2 #592, which is housed at the Baltimore

& Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore.

Found in the historically promi-nent coal region of northeastern PA, anthracite is a hard, compact variety of coal that doesn’t give off tarry or other hydrocarbon vapors and is only found in a few countries across the globe. Minersville Borough happens to be one of those areas with an abundant supply of the fossil fuel.

Minersville rose to promi-nence in the 1800s during the Industrial Revolution, when skilled miners settled in the area due to its proximity to the abundant hard coal and the

high demand for it as a fuel source. Rail service also became prevalent in Minersville as a means of hauling the anthra-cite coal out of the region to Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Railroad and Lehigh Valley and Reading Company were among the railroads that frequented the small town in its early days. In 1913, the Minersville Station was opened to the public for daily transportation and used as a train station until the late 1930s.

Ultimately, it was Minersville’s connection to the railroad over the years that brought the engine to Minersville. After 20 years of inactivity, CNJ 113 was bought by Minersville local Robert Kimmel, Sr., in 1986, who moved the locomotive into the borough. Restoration on the engine began in 1999 and took 10 years before it steamed once again. To date, more than $600,000 has been invested into its rehabilitation.

“Sometimes we go out and it’s just for public display, sometimes it’s pulling passengers,” said Bob Kimmel, son of Robert Kimmel, Sr., who is now the president of Project 113. “There are around 15 operating dates a year.”

The CNJ 113 is the only active steam engine powered by anthracite coal.Photo Credit: Oren B. Helbok, Project 113

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Many of these dates take place when Project 113 partners up with the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in the spring and fall for the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus rides. Families and train enthusiasts have the opportu-nity to buy tickets and take rides on passenger trains powered by 113.

At 93-years-old, the historic engine has come a long way, but Kimmel knows the engine will need constant maintenance.

“As the saying goes,” he said. “You run it, you break it, and then you fix it.”

It is perfect timing for the organiza-tion to receive a $5,000 grant from the John H. Emery Railway Trust, which will pay for running gear work. The organization will use the Emery Trust’s contribution to buy materials for renewal of the locomo-tive’s running gear, i.e. the driving wheels, axles, and siderods. Work, which will begin in January, will include replacement of numerous brass bearings and rehabilitation of the engine’s brake hardware, Kimmel said.

Visit http://www.rrproject113.org for more information.

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The CNJ 113 is still active. Photo Credit: Oren B. Helbok, Project 113.

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