ASSEMBLY STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1391

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JULY 10, 1997

      The Assembly State Government Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1391.

      This bill designates steam locomotive #385 as the New Jersey State steam locomotive.

      Steam locomotive #385 was built by the Baldwin Works of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in November 1907 and was designed for fast freight service. The locomotive weighs 93 tons and the tender weighs 31 tons.

      After many years of service on the Southern Railway, the engine was purchased in 1964 and moved to New Jersey for use on the Morris County Central Railroad. It continued in service on the line until the early 1980s when it was retired in need of extensive repairs. The locomotive was subsequently donated to Bergen County Technical High School.

      Steam locomotive #385 is currently being rebuilt by the staff and students of the school, with most of the mechanical work being performed by engineering students as an educational exercise in accordance with standard school policies and directives.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 1996 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.