Great Western 60


Black River and Western Railroad No. 60 is a 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type steam locomotive built in September 1937 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York, and since the railroad's opening in 1965 has operated for the Black River and Western Railroad in Ringoes, New Jersey.

History

Locomotive 60 originally operated on the Great Western Railroad in Colorado where it pulled sugar beet and molasses trains. During World War II, a smokebox extension was added to allow the use of poor quality coal because of war-time restrictions. In 1965, #60 was purchased by the newly formed short line Black River & Western for tourist excursions. Although it was used on off line excursions previously, the locomotive hauled its first train with BR&W on May 17, 1965.
BRRHT completed an intense 12-year overhaul project in August 2012 in time for the engine's 75th anniversary.
In 2013, locomotive 60 was painted into a late 1950s Great Western livery for a photo charter. The new paint scheme included the addition of white trim on the driving wheels and running board, and aluminum paint on the smokebox. Magnetic "Great Western" lettering was added to the tender and white diamonds with the number 60 were added to the sides of the cab.
To commemorate Black River and Western's 50th Anniversary in 2015, the number plate was painted black and gold representing the "Golden Anniversary". During the 50th anniversary festivities, a bottle of champagne was opened on one of the driving wheels of locomotive 60 by the New Jersey Assistant Secretary of State, Carol Cronheim.
In September 2017, the railroad celebrated the locomotive's 80th anniversary with a special event passenger excursion.
For the 2018 season, the locomotive was painted with a graphite smokebox. This is similar to how it might have appeared during World War II. The diamonds on the cab and "Black River" both still remain on the tender.