Steam Returns to New Jersey - The Return of Woodstown Central #9

On Saturday, November 30th, the Woodstown Central ran their steam locomotive, 0-6-0 #9 for the first time on a passenger train, it hauled trains on the Santa Claus Special between South Woodstown and Swedesboro, with SMS GP38-3 2003 hauling the train on the way towards Swedesboro, and #9 hauling the train back to South Woodstown. This is the first time a steam hauled passenger train has gone along the route in over 60+ years.
Woodstown Central #9 (AKA SMS Rail Lines #9), just recently completed its 14-year long renovation. The locomotive was built in 1942 for service in the United States Army by the American Locomotive Company (Alco). It worked on Fort Dix in New Jersey and Fort Eustis in Virginia. It was retired in 1958 from the Army, and was sold to the Virginia Blue Ridge, where it ran up until 1963, where it hauled the last steam powered train on the railroad. The locomotive operated sporadically on the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad in the late 20th century. It was then purchased by SMS Rail Lines and restoration began on the locomotive in 2009, the locomotive was restores in 2023, and finishing touches were completed just in time for this year's Santa Claus Special season on the railroad.
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