23-02-18 PHOTOS: WINSLOW Exposed

Winslow Junction makes a frequent appearance on my visitation schedule, but since the Southern Railroad of New Jersey changed ownership in the 2010's, there has been far less to see and do as the yard full of old passenger cars, F-Units and Alcos has dwindled after successive waves of scrapping. However the bones of the old high speed railroads to the boardwalk are still in place if one knows where to look and over President's Day in 2023 I took one of my DC area railfan friends down to show him this gen of South Jersey rail history and make use of our expiring Amtrak companion coupons. Although much of Winslow was unchanged, we were treated to a few unexpected surprised. The full set of photos ( mirror ) includes both those Winslow surprises and other content from the Amtrak journey to Philly and back.

I'll start things off with this view of Amtrak Acela power car #2036 departing the BWI Airport station. Not sure why I was there, but this was a few days before heading up to Philly.

I recruited the same friend to be a reserve on my local pub trivia team. To avoid the horrendous DC area traffic he catches the MARC Cemden Line to Dorsey where I can pick him up. When his train is on time he will meet a westbound train from Baltimore and arriving a few minutes early I found the track #1 signal at DORSEY interlocking displaying Clear for said westbound move led by MARC split level cab car #8058.

The eastbound train from Washington arrived with cab car #8051 on the end. Ridership on the line has been growing, but is still well below pre-COVID levels.

Heading up to Philly on the 7am Acela with power car #2022 leading. With the BOGO coupon this premium service only cost us each about $25.

Completing the cross town transfer from 30th St Station to South Jersey with SEPTA Silverliner IV #184 and PATCO car #1104 (see departing for 15th/16th.).

Winslow Junction was hosting the same quartet of MLW M420 locomotives, #3517, #3519, #3578 and #800, which still in the NYO&W paint job that indicated the personal railfan interests of the former owner.

Our first surprise of the day was CMSL GP38-2 #2661 switching cars on the Conrail interchange up on the former Atlantic City RR (Reading) main line. For some reason I thought Conrail still delivered the cars to Tuckahoe, but I guess this makes sense what with the passenger operations at Richland.

Although a scheduled passenger train is hardly a surprise, it was nice to catch a northbound NJT Atlantic City Line train up near WINSLOW tower with GP40PH-2B #4207 leading and Comet V #6068 on the back.

Although structurally sound WINSLOW tower had been hit by some taggers. The ivy trim of the bay window was still holding up well. WINSLOW was built in 1934 as part of the PRSL merger to integrate the separate main lines to the shore.

In the late 1990's WINSLOW was one of the first historic towers I had managed to gain interior photos of. In the 25 years since I had been always on the lookout for an opportunity to get an updated digital spread and this day the opportunity presented itself.

Closed in 1983, the tower became a radio base when the ACL was restored in 1989. In my 90's visit the radio equipment was on top of the US&S Model 14 interlocking machine with the model-board, operator's desk and other features still intact. Unfortunately while the tower still had electric power, the radio equipment had been moved out along with most of the 1934 vintage artifacts. Although disappointing, it was nice to have closure.

After leaving Winslow Junction we stopped off at the old Berlin, NJ station to catch the next southbound NJT ACL run with Comet V cab car #6063 and GP40PH-2B #4204

That night we returned to 30th St station for a late night regional. On the way I got some photos of the Milepost 0.5 intermediate signals and the Philadelphia Main Post Office behind the Market Street Bridge.

On the platform at 30th St station we caught a Keystone train getting pushed out by ACS-86 #608. 

Due to a platform rehab project, the Atlantic City trains were not on their customary track #1/2 so I was able to get an up close look at NJT Comet V cab car #6025.

Last photo of the trip was ACS-86 #630 leading my southbound Regional back to BWI.

Hope you enjoyed the photos. Next time I'll be back with more content from a quick trip to Alexandria, VA.