Susquehanna 142: Passenger Service to Riegelsville [4K]

Spring is coming to a close, and tourist railroads all across the country are beginning their annual tradition of steam railroading for the summer season once again. Tucked along the riverbanks of the Susquehanna river, and down below the town of Phillipsburg, New Jersey is the Bel-Del River Railroad. This quaint tourist line stretches from Phillipsburg to nearby Riegelsville, and has been operating since 1995. Their crown jewel of their collection of historical railroad equipment, is somewhat of a newer item compared to most of their stock. Built in 1989 for the then 20 year old Valley Railroad Company, Chinese built SY mikado 1647 arrived on US soil in January of 1990, and operated on the line for around 2 years, before the bank holding the locomotive fell on hard times, forcing the VRR to sell the locomotive off. The New York Susquehanna and Western Railroad expressed interest, and paid full price for the locomotive even after having a few years of operation in her flues. The 1647, now renumbered to 142, handled excursion trains across the NYSW system for a few years, until then president Walter G. Rich passed away, and the locomotive fell into the hands of the NYSW Technical and Historical Society, in which it resides today. As of September 2025, the locomotive returned to steam after a lengthy 1472 day overhaul, and is now doing what it knows best, shuttling passengers up and down the Susquehanna river in between towns. Let’s follow to 142 as it traverses the formal Belvedere and Delaware Railroad, handing passenger service to Riegelsville. Filmed on May 23rd and 30th, 2026 ©Connecticut Rail Films 2026