Becker's Train - The Story of the Centerville & Southwestern Railroad

THIS FILM IS ABOUT THE BUILDING AND OPERATION OF THE CENTERVILLE & SOUTHWESTERN RAILROAD, A TRUE SCALE RAILROAD UNLIKE ANY OTHER. THIS TWO-INCH SCALE RAILROAD RAN FOR 32 YEARS AND CARRIED OVER TWO-HUNDRED THOUSAND PASSENGERS ON A TWO MILE TRIP THROUGH THE NATURAL SURROUNDINGS OF BECKER’S DAIRY FARM IN NEW JERSEY.

PRODUCED BY DAN ESPY OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD, THIS DOCUMENTARY SHOWS THE EARLY DAYS OF CONSTRUCTION USING HORSES AND MANPOWER TO GRADE AND INSTALL THE RAILS. IT FOLLOWS THE EXPANSION OF THE LINE AND THE BUILDING OF THE ENGINES AND ROLLING STOCK. THE STORY IS TOLD USING COLOR ARCHIVAL FILM, PHOTOS AND INTERVIEWS.

AFTER RUNNING FOR 32 YEARS THE FARM PROPERTY WAS SOLD AND THE RAILROAD WAS STORED OUT OF SIGHT FOR OVER 25 YEARS.

THE PHILLIPSBURG RAILROAD HISTORIANS HAVE RESURECTED THE CENTERVILLE & SOUTHWESTERN AND IT IS RUNNING ONCE AGAIN.