Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad facts for kids
The railroad's yard in Melville, Rhode Island
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | North Kingstown, Rhode Island |
| Locale | Newport County, Rhode Island, USA |
| Dates of operation | 1979 (Old Colony and Newport Scenic Railway) 1997 (Newport Dinner Train) 2014 (as Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad)–present |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad is a special train line in Rhode Island. It runs along a track called the Newport Secondary on Aquidneck Island. This railroad is a "heritage railroad," which means it helps keep old trains and railway history alive. It was created in 2014-2015 when two train groups joined together: the Newport Dinner Train and the Old Colony and Newport Scenic Railway.
Contents
History of the Railroad
Regular passenger trains stopped running between Fall River, Massachusetts and Newport, Rhode Island, in 1938. The railroad companies that followed, like New Haven Railroad, did not make much money from carrying goods on this line.
In 1973, a company called Penn Central tried to stop using the line completely. Three years later, Conrail took over. Conrail then sold the southern part of the track to the state of Rhode Island. The state then rented this section to a group called the Old Colony and Newport Scenic Railway. This group was a nonprofit, meaning they did not try to make money, and it was run by volunteers.
The Old Colony and Newport Scenic Railway used two GE 45-ton switcher trains. These are small trains used for moving cars around. They also had an older 50-ton train. For passengers, they had an old coach car built in 1904 and a fancy parlor car from 1884. They also used a caboose and a flatcar for work.
Changes and Challenges
A bridge called the Sakonnet River rail bridge was damaged in 1988. It was completely removed in 2007. This meant the train line was cut off from the main national train network. Even with this problem, the Newport Dinner Train started using the line in 1997. This company was for-profit and offered special dinner train rides and other trips for tourists.
The two train groups, the Old Colony and Newport Scenic Railway and the Newport Dinner Train, had to share the same track. This track was mostly single-track, meaning only one train could go at a time. Because of this, they sometimes had disagreements.
In 2006, the Newport Dinner Train started using a GE 44-ton switcher train, which was brought to the island by a large boat called a barge. This company also owned two dining cars and a parlor car. In October 2006, they bought two Budd RDCs, which are special trains that can carry both passengers and their own engine.
Joining Forces: A New Railroad Begins
By early 2013, the Newport Dinner Train business was put up for sale. It was sold in November 2014 and renamed the Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad Company. The Old Colony and Newport Scenic Railway stopped running trains in early 2015. Soon after, it officially joined with the Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad. This merger created the single railroad that operates today.
Train Equipment and Cars
Locomotives: The Engines That Pull the Trains
| Number | Builder | Type | Build date | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | General Electric | GE 44-ton switcher | 1951 | Operational | This train was first built in 1951. It worked for different railroads before coming to Rhode Island. In 2006, the Newport Dinner Train bought it, and it arrived on the island by a barge. It started working that same year. |
| 13/30 | Budd Company | Budd RDC | 1956/1957 | Operational | Both of these special trains were bought in 2006. They were also brought to the island on a barge. They began operating for the railroad in the same year they arrived. |
Rolling Stock: Passenger and Specialty Cars
- Dining Car Aquidneck Spruce: A car where passengers can eat meals.
- Theater Car Atlantic Rose: A car designed for entertainment or special views.
- Dashing Dan's Clam Car: A unique car, possibly for serving seafood or themed events.
- Kitchen Bellevue Clipper: A car that likely contains a kitchen to prepare food for dining cars.
