Greetings all,
Locomotive Spotlight #8-2026
Central Railroad of New Jersey SD35 #2503
Welcome to another installment in the ongoing Locomotive Spotlight Series. Today the spotlight will shine on Central of New Jersey EMD SD35 #2503.
Prototype Information
Between 1964 and 1966, EMD built a total of 360 six-axle 2,500hp SD35 locomotives. An additional 35 steam generator equipped SDP35 locomotives were also built during this period. These were all part of EMD’s “35-Series” which also featured the four-axle, 2,250hp GP35 locomotive. Below is one of the 24 SD35s (7400-7423) purchased by the B&O.
All locomotives included the standard EMD 567-series prime mover. A stock model weighed 360,000 pounds, but many roads chose to add weight to increase the locomotive’s tractive effort. From the mid-1960s through the 1980s, the SD-35 could be found in road service on both large and mid-sized roads across the US.
Today the number of active units has dwindled to a select few, including those operated by regional railroad Montana Rail Link.
The SD35 Sets the Trend
EMD had long been producing Special Duty locomotives like the SD7 and SD9 which were mainly in use for yard, hump and heavy freight transfers. When it was shown early in the second generation motive power era that high horsepower four axle locomotives lost much of its advantages in the mountains the Pennsylvania RR decided to test EMDs claims about the high horsepower six axle locomotives and ordered forty SD35s
"10/27/77, Chessie System SD35 7415" by OHFalcon72 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
The result; The PRR never purchased another four axle locomotive setting the trend for six axle power that continues to this day.
Central Railroad of New Jersey
The Central Railroad of New Jersey, (reporting marks CNJ), also known as the Jersey Central, Jersey Central Lines or New Jersey Central was a Class I railroad with origins in the 1830s. It was absorbed into Conrail in April 1976 along with several other prominent bankrupt railroads of the northeastern United States.
The CNJ's main line had a major presence in New Jersey. Most of the main line is now used by the Raritan Valley Line passenger service. CNJ main line trackage in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, became part of the Lehigh Line under Conrail.
Following World War II, passenger traffic diminished, and was almost entirely commuter business, requiring great amounts of rolling stock for two short periods five days a week. Three-fourths of CNJ's freight traffic terminated on line; the railroad was essentially a terminal carrier, which meant little if any profit. In addition, taxes levied by the state of New Jersey ate up much of CNJ's revenue.
In 1965, CNJ and the Lehigh Valley Railroad consolidated their lines along the Lehigh River in Pennsylvania and portions of each railroad's line were abandoned. The commercial anthracite traffic that had supported both railroads had largely disappeared. CNJ operations in Pennsylvania ended March 31, 1972.
"21092 LV Coal Hopper 50 tons (1)" by lastpicker1 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
The CNJ purchased 12 SD35s (2501-2512) that would eventually be conveyed to Conrail on April 01, 1976 and renumbered (6040-6051).
Model Information
A used Atlas Yellow Box SD35 joined the fleet in August 2026 for use in some early Conrail rainbow lash ups.
The model came with this letter from the seller which I appreciated. It's nice to know the provenance of the model and reading about it explains much of the details that were added to the SD35.
The CNJ SD35 #2503 has a lot of add on details like lift rings, horns, numbers in the number boards and painted handrails.
New lights were added using Model Maker clear glass. it's so clear you can't see it!!
The SD35 and friends haul early Conrail freight trains across the layout.
Final Thoughts and Comments
An Atlas Yellow Box CNJ SD35 was an EBAY search that was in place for about a year or more. When this one popped up I was immediately interested and after some give and take on the make an offer price I made the purchase.
Seeing the model up close in the seller's photos I noted the extra details like numbers in the number boards, painted handrails and Kadee underset shank couplers that were already done that sealed the deal for me.
The CNJ SD35 #2503 adds another predecessor locomotive to my Conrail Rainbow Fleet. However, I'm not sure that an olive drab engine adds all that much color to the rainbow!!!
Additional Info & Links
Wikipedia Page CNJ RR
CNJ SD35 #2503 Jersey City, NJ 1967
CNJ SD35 #2503 Lakehurst, NJ 1973
CNJ SD35 #2506 Altoona, PA August 1976
Conrail SD35 #6043
John Pechulis Media Conrail Kaleidoscope Volumes 1-5
Conrail Rainbow Years Volumes 1 & 2 Garbely Publishing
Thanks for Reading & Watching!!!
See You Soon!!!
Another great locomotive spotlight! I see the NYCTL is expanding its motive power to include railroads that served the Penn Central and neighboring railroads.
ReplyDeleteRunning that massive engine consist shows the NYCTL is ready to handle as much freight as possible!
Nice work Sir John!