Buy-A-Bolt

 Steam Locomotive 4039 Fundraiser

The Whippany Railway Museum has started on the rehabilitation to full operational status of its Historic Steam Locomotive No. 4039.

The engine was built by the American Locomotive Company of Schenectady, NY in November 1942 for U.S. Army World War II service. Two-and-a-half decades later, this same locomotive pulled thousands of passengers onboard the Morris County Central Railroad excursion trains that ran out of Whippany from 1966 to 1973 with sister MCC locomotive 385 now also located at the Museum. The pair then moved to Newfoundland, NJ and continued their duties from 1974 to 1980. No. 4039 dropped her fire on Dec. 14, 1980 for what many thought would be the last time, marking a sad end to the Morris County Central Railroad

Morris County Central Railroad Locomotives 4039 and 385 lead a double-headed excursion train out of Whippany, November 1966. Earle Gil Photo

Photo Credit Carl Perelman

In 1994 the Whippany Railway Museum acquired the locomotive and returned her home to Whippany. The Museum received a grant in 2001 for approx 70% of the project; the grant, while substantial, would require the Museum to raise well over $100,000 on their own.

Early in 2010, the Museum's Board of Trustees approved the decision to begin the restoration of No. 4039.

At the same time, the Museum took on a large loan, thus proving its full commitment to the task. Restoration expert, Transportation Innovation Specialists was awarded the contract and the project began on September 22, 2010.

Now with your help we have the opportunity to enable families of today experience the exciting sights and sounds their own parents and grandparents witnessed first-hand behind this same locomotive in the 1960’s and 70’s. Please help us return this wonderful piece of New Jersey Transportation History to full operation for future generations to enjoy as so many of us did in the past.

No. 4039 was declared a National Treasure in 2002 and is listed on both the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department Of The Interior.

The Museum is launching their 2011 Buy-A Bolt Fundraiser and is asking for your help to reach its goal of raising $100,000 to cover the cost of the fire box stay bolts. Like all steam engines, No. 4039’s firebox is held in its boiler by over 900 stay bolts. These bolts cost approximately $35 each or $100 each installed.

View from inside No. 4039's firebox. The rounded studs along the firebox walls are the staybolts.

Original Rusted Staybolts

The Whippany Railway Museum is a 501 (c) 3 not for profit entity; your donations are 100% tax deductible.

Make a Donation Online

Or mail your donations to:

Whippany Railway Museum
Buy A Bolt Donation
P.O. Box 16
Whippany NJ 07981-0016