© 1998 Steve Barry steve@daylightimages.com
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This section was set up on January 12, 1999.
| On December 18, 1998, Cape May Seashore Lines realized a long-awaited dream -- running trains all the way to the Jersey Cape. Trains had not reached Cape May since NJDOT commuter service ended in 1981. The railroad was formerly the Cape May Branch of the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines, and the CMSL herald is a modified version of PRSL's. |
The first train to Cape May, New Jersey, was a VIP train powered by Pennsylvania Railroad GP9 7000. The Geep is owned by the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey and is on long-term lease to CMSL. On thge morning of the 18th the train backed from the CMSL operations base at Rio Grande to the zoo at Cape May Court House. The train is seen here backing through Cape May Court House.
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The southbound VIP train passes the abandoned station at Wildwood Junction in the town of Whitesboro.
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CMSL could not reach Cape May because the swing bridge over the intracoastal waterway had been damaged in a tug accident. The VIP train was the first passenger move over the bridge since 1981.
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The train arrives at the Cape May station amidst much fanfare. The train station has been used as a bus station since rail service ended in 1981.
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Here's one for Philadelphia fans -- Television personality Al Alberts recorded a song called On the Way to Cape May which has reached something of a cult status. Al (at the left) took the podium to lead the VIP riders singing a slightly modified On the TRAIN to Cape May. Joining Al at the podium are CMSL president A.C. Macrie (center) and CMSL conductor/radio personality/EastRAIL m.c. Tom Moran (right).
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Click here for All the Way to Cape May page 2
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