by Andrew Grahl, Raymond Mercado, and Denis Connel/photos as noted
Woodstown Central Railroad, a subsidiary of SMS Rail Lines, hosted its inaugural sold-out passenger excursions on November 5, 2022. At 11:00 a.m. sixteen lucky passengers boarded restored Reading caboose 92857 at the temporary boarding site along West Wilson Avenue at East Avenue (U.S. 40) in Woodstown, N.J., for a northbound trip to Swedesboro, milepost 12. After running around the caboose, Baldwin S12 304 proceeded south nonstop through Woodstown to the Mannington Mills complex in Mannington, presently the end of operable track at milepost 27 before returning to Woodstown. A second sold-out trip departed Woodstown at 1:00 p.m. over the same route.
Led by SMS Rail Lines Baldwin S12 304, these first revenue trips, dubbed Scenic Railroad Tour, made the 32-mile round trip from Woodstown. Much of the 15-mile long excursion route is well ballasted continuous welded rail. SMS has operating rights from the Swedesboro connection with the Southern Railroad of New Jersey south to the Port of Salem, a distance of 18 miles.
ABOVE: The first roundtrip over the Woodstown Central Railroad has just returned to the Woodstown boarding location along West Wilson Avenue at East Avenue. Passengers with tickets for the 1:00 p.m. trip are patiently waiting to board on Opening Day, Saturday, November 5, 2022. Andrew Grahl photo
SMS Rail Lines recently took over the operating rights of the former the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines Salem Branch from the Southern Railroad of New Jersey. The line is owned by Salem County, which along with SMS, has restored the line to excellent operating condition, replete with welded rail.
Current operation of the Scenic Railroad tours has the train departing Woodstown north to Swedesboro, changing ends in the siding behind Grasso Foods, off Kings Highway before heading back south, passing through Woodstown and south to change ends again behind Mannington Mills Manufacturing north of Salem. Additional trains operate for Brew to Brew tours and other events.
ABOVE: Opening Day crew poses with SMS Baldwin S12 304 at the Woodstown boarding location Saturday, November 5, 2022. The photo was taken just before the first trip at 11:00 a.m. The Scenic Railroad Tour covered a 32-mile round trip from Woodstown north to Swedesboro, then south to Mannington on the former PRSL Salem Branch, Restored 1937 Reading caboose 92857 was utilized to carry passengers. Andrew Grahl photo
Currently the line operates with the Baldwin switcher and magnificently restored 1937 Reading caboose 92857 to carry passengers. Baldwin 304 was delivered to the Monongahela Railway in 1953, and has been completely rebuilt by SMS. Paul Harland, Director of Passenger Operations for SMS , noted that coaches have been acquired from Vermont and are being prepared for tourist operations beginning in the spring of 2023. There will be more big things to come: SMS is completing work on its steam locomotive, 0-6-0 No. 9, and Baldwin AS616 554 is also expected to move to the Woodstown Central Salem Branch.
The Woodstown Central Railroad operates from downtown Woodstown, with a convenient temporary boarding location along Wilson Avenue at East Avenue. A pop-up tent is located here for ticket information and souvenir sales. Opening Day tickets were available for $65, with ample local parking available. Check the railroad’s website for trip schedules, ticketing and additional information. Come take a ride on the newest tourist train in New Jersey!