"Milford Park Critter at the Big E"
On the evening of January 28th, 2023, a New Jersey buff takes a look at the Milford Park Railway's custom built narrow gauge critter sitting on display during the 2023 Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
The Milford Park Railway critter, MPR 101, was built in 1954 by die maker and Ortego, New York resident Donnell Sullivan. MPR 101 runs off of a 1932 four cylinder Chevrolet engine which powers electric motors on both trucks. Mr. Sullivan had a huge love for trains and spent 30 years of his life constructing an 18" gauge railroad in his backyard. When he passed, his railroad was sold at auction to a local gentleman who later donated the locomotive, 10 hand-built railcars, track and other miscellaneous items to the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society in 1996. The locomotive and railcars were restored and the railway now operates on a new 1,200 foot loop right-of-way that was constructed around the wetlands of the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad property in Milford, New York.