Jersey Central business car #98. This car was part of the original stable of equipment acquired by the WK&S. During the 1960s car #98 was used as a static display as part of an ill-fated historical museum. This collection of "museum" equipment was located on the back track behind Kempton Station and also included 0-4-0 Cooke locomotive #3, B&O coach #X4111, P&R coach #1055 and LNE caboose #512. During the 1970s car #98 was used in active service as an extra-fare car or a party/charter car and was renamed "The Golden Hawk". Apparently there was one particular group that held their annul company picnic at the WK&S and would always charter The Golden Hawk. This would have been the car's last stand at the WK&S. Through out most of the '80s and '90s and into the new millennium, #98 was out of service and left as a victim of weather and vandals. Starting in 2003 and continuing in 2004, #98 under went a partial cosmetic restoration. The car was not re-lettered, but it did receive some body patching, a new roof coating and a new coat of olive paint. Finally, in 2004 a deal was struck to send #98 to Minersville, Pennsylvania. The car will become part of the Railway Restoration Project 113. Project 113 is the CNJ 0-6-0 steam locomotive under restoration by Bobby Kimmel. In exchange for #98, the WK&S received a 1956 General Electric 65-ton center-cab #4. #98 finally left the property on January 3, 2007.
This picture was probably taken soon after the arrival of #98 at the WK&S. Note the roof trusses in the foreground. These were for a planned engine house to be located south of Kempton station, but they ended up being used for a building at the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad.
Here #98 has been moved to the back track and is coupled to the B&O coach. The drumhead reads "WK&S RAIL ROAD MUSEUM"
During the 1970s car #98 was used in active service as an extra-fare car or a party/charter car. In this shot the car has been lettered WANAMAKER KEMPTON & SOUTHERN and renamed "THE GOLDEN HAWK".
Photo by Keith Dorn
Photo by Keith Dorn
CNJ Business Car #98 was traded for GE locomotive #4 . Here they are together before #98 leaves for Minersville.
Another shot of the two, this time with #98 sporting its old platform skirt.
Photo by Jesse Dorn
Photo by Jesse Dorn
Photo by Jesse Dorn
Photo by Jesse Dorn
Photo by Jesse Dorn
Photo by Jesse Dorn
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