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12-10-01
Rail News-
New Jersey Transit-
A recent Rutgers University Study issued
in mid-November reports that NJ Transit's finances are at an estimated $236
million shortfall this year. The study calls for the agency to halt
all future projects, including the proposed Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM)
commuter rail link, until its finances improve. NJ Transit Executive
Director Jeffrey Warsh said the agency is aware of the diversion, but does
not agree to freeze all future projects.
Amtrak-
Amtrak's high-speed train service between
Washington and Boston is expected to pass the million-passenger mark sometime
this month after a year of operation. Acela Express - billed as America's
first high-speed train, capable of speeds up to 150 mph - experienced a surge
in ridership after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks discouraged many from traveling
by airplane. The service, which is still being phased in along the Washington-New
York-Boston corridor, ran below Amtrak's projections for much of the year
but has exceeded them by 9 percent since Oct. 1, according to information
released Saturday by the railroad. As of Nov. 30, Acela Express trains had
carried nearly 857,000 passengers. Service began Dec. 11, 2000, after more
than a year of delays. (source- Railpace)
Conrail-
Conrail's Browns Yard Crew has
announced it will once again run their annual Santa Train on December 15th.
The train will be in Browns Yard from 9:00 to 10:30AM, Freehold at 12:00PM,
and Jamesburg at 2:30PM. The train is run with two decorated locomotives
from Browns Yard. This is the 15th Year that the train will run.
CSX-
The Thanksgiving holiday shutdown of CSXT and the extended
holiday and weekend shutdown of Conrail have combined massive backups and
congestion on top of the usual ongoing delays. When Morrsiville, PA. (Conrail
Shared Assets Area) came back to work the following Monday morning, so many
cars had accumulated that the Norfolk Southern trains (that did run) couldn't
get into the yard! It took until that Wednesday before the mess was moving.
The customers of Conrail's shortline connections were hit particularly hard.
They gave business to the shortline to get better service, but the shortline
can't deliver if the big roads don't move the cars. (source- Railpace)
Norfolk Southern-
In response to reduced customer
demands during the Christmas holiday weekend, Norfolk Southern will begin
a curtailment of operations on December 22. Operations will be reduced to
minimal levels by December 24, as necessary to meet customer demand where
necessary and to provide for fluid operations in critical areas to enable
a smooth transition to normal service levels on December 26, following the
holiday period. During the period of reduced operations, every effort will
be made to minimize impact on customer operations while allowing Norfolk
Southern employees to spend time with their families over the holiday. The
same plan will be followed for the New Year holiday period beginning December
29th. (source- Railpace)
Site Updates-
Photo Galleries:
Amtrak: Photos added Amtrak's ACELA trainset and E60 Locomotives.
NJ Transit Locomotives: Photos added of NJT's ALP44 Locomotives.
NJ Transit Arrows: Photos added of NJT's Arrow III MU Trainsets.
Railroad Guides: This section houses the Freight Yards of New Jersey, Freight Shortlines of New Jersey, and Movable Railroad Bridges of New Jersey guides.
Railroad Maps:
Conrail Shared Assets Browns Yard Division: Revised and Updated
Train Logs:
Browns Yard Division: Revised and Updated
11-20-01
Rail News-
New Jersey Transit-
NJ Transit has opened the "Transit Shoppe"
at Newark Penn Station. Items available at the store include trains, buses
and light rail models in most gauges, and decorated in NJ Transit, predecessor
lines and east coast railroad color schemes. Also available are NJ Transit
licensed apparel and merchandise Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday
through Friday. For information, phone (973) 491-8711.
NJT is gearing up for the upcoming
Thanksgiving holiday weekend, adjusting its rail, light rail and bus service
for commuters, holiday travelers and shoppers. Rail service is altered
as follows:
Wednesday, November 21:
Northeast Corridor: A new early
getaway train, train 8847, will depart New York Penn Station at 1:54 p.m.,
operate express between Newark International Airport and Metropark, then make
all local stops to Trenton except Jersey Avenue. Train 8847 will arrive in
Trenton at 3:09 p.m.
North Jersey Coast Line: Train
8301, an early getaway train, will depart Newark Penn Station at 3:49 p.m.,
operate express to Woodbridge, then make all stops to Bay Head, arriving
there at 5:44 p.m. Passengers will not need to change trains at Long Branch.
Raritan Valley Line: Train 5425,
the 1:06 p.m. departure from Newark Penn Station, will be extended to High
Bridge and make all stops. Train 8529, an early getaway train, will depart
Newark Penn Station at 3:32 p.m. and make all stops to Raritan, arriving there
at 4:29 p.m. Train 5711, the 6:23 p.m. departure from Newark Penn Station,
will be combined with train 5903, which leaves Newark at 6:29 p.m. The combined
train makes all stops to High Bridge.
Thursday, November 22:
No service on Newark City Subway
Hudson-Bergen LRT runs on Weekend
Schedule
Gladstone Branch - A MidTOWN DIRECT
train will depart Gladstone at 7:18 a.m., make all stops to South Orange,
then operate express to New York with intermediate stops at Brick Chuch and
Newark Broad Street stations. The train will arrive in New York at 8:54 a.m.
A MidTOWN DIRECT train will depart New York at 12:15 p.m. and make all stops
to Gladstone, where it will arrive at 1:55 p.m.
Morristown Line - An additional
MidTOWN DIRECT train will depart Dover at 7:55 a.m., make all stops to Summit,
then operate express to Newark Broad Street and New York. The train will
arrive in New York at 9:10 a.m. An additional MidTOWN DIRECT train will depart
New York at 12:04 p.m. and make all stops to Dover, where it will arrive
at 1:35 p.m.
Northeast Corridor Three additional
trains will operate to New York. These trains will depart New Brunswick
at 6:30 a.m., 7:34 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., make all stops to Metropark then will
run express to Newark Penn Station and New York. They will arrive in
New York at 7:16 a.m., 8:27 a.m. and 9:16 a.m., respectively. An additional
train will depart New York at 11:23 a.m. and make all stops to New Brunswick
except Newark International Airport Station (NIA) and North Elizabeth, arriving
in New Brunswick at 12:17 p.m. Two additional trains will operate from New
York to Trenton. These trains will depart New York at 12:23 p.m. and 12:40
p.m. and make all stops except NIA, North Elizabeth and Jersey Avenue. They
will arrive in Trenton at 1:43 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.
Friday, November 23:
All trains operating on weekday
schedules
Newark City Subway running on modified
weekday schedule with service every eight minutes during morning and afternoon
rush periods.
Saturday, November 24/ Sunday, November 25:
All trains running on weekend schedules.
Hudson-Bergen LRT running on weekend schedule. No service on Newark
City Subway.
Amtrak-
Amtrak has issued a special Northeast
Corridor timetable for the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. Again, the
railroad will be operating 3000 series extra passenger trains. Many of these
trains will feature equipment from commuter railroads. It is likely that the
Amtrak will utilize NJ Transit Arrow III MUs, MARC coaches, and SEPTA equipment
during the weekend. Also, on November 25 Amtrak might borrow an MBTA
equipment set for a pair of Boston to New Haven trains.
If past practices are a guide,
Amtrak will borrow an array of commuter equipment for use on the 3000 series
Thanksgiving Holiday trains operating on the Northeast Corridor. It is likely
that train 3076, operating from Baltimore to New York on Wednesday, will
consist of MARC equipment. On Thanksgiving morning the equipment should depart
New York at 9:50 a.m., bound for Washington on train 3043. On Sunday, November
25, train 3078, departing Washington for New York at 3:50, will likely have
MARC equipment. This equipment would likely return to south on train 3069,
departing New York for Baltimore. On Sunday, a second set of MARC equipment
should depart New York at 2:45 p.m., for Washington. Amtrak is expected to
borrow several sets of NJ Transit Arrow III MU cars for use on Sunday. As
in the past, these sets will probably be in service on New York to Washington
trains 3043 (departing N.Y. at 9:50 a.m.), 3095 (departing N.Y. at 11:05
a.m.), and 3099 (departing N.Y. at 2:15 p.m.). The NJT equipment would
likely then return on trains 3096 (departing Washington at 5:05 p.m.), 3080
(departing Washington at 6:10 p.m.), and 3066 (departing Washington at 7:30
p.m.). Amtrak is expected to borrow SEPTA and MBTA equipment for use on extra
trains that might operate due to passenger demand. Reports from New Haven
indicated that Connecticut Department of Transportation equipment will operate
on Springfield to New Haven shuttle trains.
Site Updates-
Maps:
NJ Transit Routes and Critical Points: This map shows all of NJT's current routes (post construction) along with servicing and yard facilites as well as interesting points.
Freight Shortlines of New Jersey: NEW! This guide provides information about all thirteen of New Jersey's Freight Shortlines.
11-13-01
Rail News-
New Jersey Transit-
NJT is installing five new escalators
in New York's Penn Station to ease the morning commute. The new escalators
will be open November 19. They include:
One new escalator serving tracks
1 and 2. These tracks are currently served by four stairways.
One new escalator serving tracks
3 and 4. These tracks are currently served by three stairways and one escalator.
One new stairway serving tracks
5 and 6. These tracks are currently served by two stairways and two escalators.
One new escalator serving tracks
7 and 8. These tracks are currently served by two stairways and two escalators.
One new escalator serving tracks
9 and 10. These tracks are currently served by one stairway and three escalators.
One new escalator serving tracks
11 and 12. These tracks are currently served by one stairway and three escalators.
Site Updates-
Movable Railroad Bridges of New Jersey: NEW!
11-5-01
Rail News-
New Jersey Transit-
A third route is being studied
for NJ Transit's Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) Line. This third route would
run over the former CNJ ROW from Matawan to Freehold to Farmingdale and Lakehurst.
This route is currently abandoned and sees no rail service at all. NJ
Transit would be forced to rebuild the entire line if this were the chosen
route. The other two routes being studied are Monmouth Jct (Midway)
to Farmingdale and Lakehurst, and Red Bank to Lakehurst.
Conrail-
Conrail's NK Tower, located on
the Lehigh Line in Newark is nearing the end of it's useful life. New
wiring of signals was installed to allow for closure of the tower in the
very near future.
PATH-
PATH is reporting that service
to lower Manhattan cannot resume for at least 18 months. A PATH Spokesman
suggested that PATH Service to downtown Manhattan could resume on a temporary
basis 18 to 24 months from now. This forecast for temporary service assumes
that PATH would make use of the old Hudson Terminal station which has been
abandoned for about 30 years. To resume permanent service to the World Trade
Center Station, a period of 48 to 60 months would be needed. At the present
time, a train that was stored empty sits in the WTC station with four of its
cars intact and three of its cars destroyed with much of the station roof
collapsed. The two tubes have been plugged with three-foot-thick concrete
walls east of the Exchange Place station in Jersey City to prevent any water
from the New York side possibly flooding the rest of the system.
Site Updates-
Freight Yards of New Jersey: Revised and updated
Offsite Links: Revised and updated
10-28-01
Rail News-
New Jersey Transit-
NJ Transit was forced to evacuate
two trains on October 24, apparently from false threats. One train,
an NEC train bound for NYC was evacuated when a man allegedly threatened
to blow the train up. The other, a MidTown Direct Train from NYC was
evacuated at Newark Broad Street when white powder was reportedly found aboard.
These evacuations caused delays of up to 45 minutes for NJT.
Site Updates-
Main Page: Revised
10-24-01
Site Updates-
Railroad Histories: Index Page Revised
NJ Transit: New history online! Includes comprehensive NJT History, NJT Equipment Timeline, and NJT Projects through 2020 Map.
Railroad Maps: Index Page Revised
NJ Transit Equipment Timeline: This can now be accessed from the NJT History Page
10-22-01
Rail News-
New Jersey Transit-
NJ Transit's Newark Airport Station
opened on October 21, 2001. Along with the new station come new hi-tech
tickets which are similar to the NYC MTA Metrocard. The ticket is a
card with a magnetic strip which is used both on the NJT Train and to board
the Newark Airport Monorail, which is now known as "Airtrain Newark".
NJT announced that it will renovate
Hazlet Station on the NJCL. The project includes two 800-foot high-level
platforms, which will speed boarding and exiting of trains. The new platforms
will be fully accessible to persons with disabilities and will include canopies,
heated shelters, windscreens, new station signs, and other passenger amenities.
As part of the construction, both parking lots at Hazlet Station will be improved.
The Long Branch/Bay Head-bound parking lot will be upgraded while the Newark/New
York-bound lot will be refurbished and expanded to provide 45 additional
parking spaces and improve traffic flow around the station area. The
$6 Million Hazlet Station project is scheduled for completion in winter 2002
and is funded by the Federal Transit Administration, the state Transportation
Trust Fund and New Jersey Casino Revenue funds.
The first of NJT's ALP46 locomotives
are ready in Germany. On October 20, Bombardier Transportation presented
the first of 29 electric multipurpose locomotives for New Jersey Transit
at a roll-out ceremony at its facility in Kassel, Germany.
NJT announced that it will build
a brand new station at Montclair Heights. The $5 Million Project will
be built with an 800-foot center-island high-level platform, causing repositioning
of the track and overhead catenary wires. The station will be located
across the tracks from MSU's Yogi Berra Stadium. The new station will
be supported by a 1,000-space parking deck, which offers convenient access
from Routes 3 and 46. The new MSU Station will be a key transfer point
for MidTown Direct Riders once the Montclair Connection is completed.
Amtrak-
Effective October 8, 2001, Amtrak
guests boarding at any station between Washington, D.C. and Boston will be
required to have a ticket prior to boarding the train. This policy effectively
ends the practice of conductors selling tickets on board trains between Washington,
D.C. and Boston. Additionally, photo identification will be now be
necessary to purchase tickets from conductors on board trains, as it is
in stations, in other areas of the country outside the Northeast Corridor.
Site Updates-
Photo Galleries:
Amtrak: Photos added Amtrak's ACELA trainset and the new HHP-8 Locomotives.
NJ Transit Locomotives: Photos added of NJT's ALP44 Locomotives.
NJ Transit Equipment: Photos added NJT's Comet IV and Comet IB cab cars.
NJ Transit Arrows: Photos added of NJT's Arrow III MU Trainsets.
Norfolk Southern: Photos added Norfolk Southern on the Northeast Corridor.
Maintenance of Way: Photo added of NJT's TGIV.
Restored Equipment: Photos added from the 2001 Hoboken Festival.
10-14-01
Site Updates-
Photo Galleries: Completely overhauled and re-designed. Every photo gallery was recreated and recaptioned. Photos are now easier to locate and the galleries are easier to navigate. Enjoy!
10-8-01
Rail News-
New Jersey Transit-
The attacks on NYC on September
11 and the new NYC driving restrictions have put a strain on NJT's rail network.
As a result of the attacks, NJT has added coaches to their trains running
into NY Penn. They have ALP44's working to their limit pulling eight
comets and are running sets of five Arrows (five married pairs). NJT
is rolling out whatever it can- one NEC trainset is running with three
comet IV cabs in the consist! An extra MidTown Direct train has been
added to NYP- Amtrak gave up one slot for NJT.
NJT will be taking over the "Clockers"
Service from Amtrak. Details are still a bit sketchy, but NJT will be
operating Amtrak's Clockers between NY Penn and Philadelphia's 30th Street
Station. NJT will used borrowed equipment from Amtrak at first but plans
to have full Clocker Service with NJT equipment by 2005 or 2006.
NJT's Newark Airport Station was
slated to open on October 1, however, due to the attacks NJT has postponed
the opening until later this month. New NEC and NJCL timetables were
issued and show trains stopping there, but this service is not in effect
yet.
PATH-
The offices of the Port Authority of NY and NJ were
located in the World Trade Center. PATH has closed it's Exchange
Place Station for the time being and plugged the tunnels running to the World
Trade Center Station. PATH is currently running NWK-HOB, HOB-33rd, NWK-33rd.
Amtrak-
Due to the strain on NJT and PATH, Amtrak is accepting
NJT tickets on it's trains between Newark and New York only.
Site Updates-
Photo Galleries:
Passenger Railroads: Photos added of NJT at Hoboken. Photos also added of NJT and Amtrak at New Brunswick.
Freight Railroads: Photos added of CSX at Roselle Park.
Light Rail: Photos added of the PCC Streetcars on their last day of operation.
Restored Equipment: Photos added from the Hoboken Festival.
8-30-01
Rail News-
New Jersey Transit-
The new light rail cars have started running on the
Newark City Subway. The vehicles, which were tested in simulated service,
have experienced unanticipated mechanical failures during initial revenue
operation. There are also problems with the new signal system due to
the subway construction to Grove Street, resulting in slower operating speeds
and more time between trains. The travel time necessary for a one way
trip between Branch Brook Park and Newark Penn Station with the PCCs was 12
minutes. With the new vehicles, NJT is struggling to operate a 20 minute
one way trip between the same stations. NJT is also running substitute
bus service during rush periods.
Site News- The Rail Vehicles Photo Gallery is now the Maitenance Of Way Photo Gallery.
Updates-
Photo Galleries:
Freight Railroads: Photos added of NS and CSX on the Amboy Secondary.
Light Rail: Photos added of the PCC Streetcars on their last day of operation.
Maitenance Of Way: Photos added of MOW equipment in action on the Amboy Secondary and parked at Minteq Industries.
8-20-01
News-
New Jersey Transit-
The time has finally come for NJT to part with the
PCC Streetcars operating over the Newark City Subway. There will be
a farewell ceremony this Friday- August 24, 2001 at noon at Franklin Avenue.
Service will be normal until 8PM, when NJT will give out round trip tickets
at Newark Penn Station for the last rides to Franklin Avenue and back. There
will be bus service substituting for the City Subway this weekend and the
new cars will begin at 4:35AM on Monday morning- August 27, 2001. 3 of 24
of the PCC's will be donated to the NJ Transportation Heritage Center to be
built in Phillipsburg.
8-14-01
News-
New Jersey Transit-
NJT's Try Transit Festival 2001 will be held on Saturday,
September 8, 2001 at Hoboken Terminal. The new Comet II rebuilds have
arrived! Trainsets have started appearing on all the Hoboken Division
lines and consist of a locomotive towing/pushing a string of these new coaches
with a Comet IV Cab. NJT has also announced the arrival and use of the
new equipment on the City Subway for sometime later this year. NJT
started construction on the Bergen Tunnels June 24, resulting in minor changes
to schedules. Phase I of the Montclair Connection is almost complete-
work just needs to be done to Great Notch Yard before the phase is complete.
Tree clearing and pole/signal installation has been completed. Phase
II will link the Boonton Line to the Montclair Branch.
Updates-
Photo Galleries:
Passenger Railroads: Photos added of NJT at the CNJ Jersey City Terminal. (this is not a typo!) Photo also added of a new Comet V trainset at Montclair Heights.
Tourist Railroads: Photo added of CMSL at Rio Grande Maitenance Facility. Photos also added of the Ely-Thomas Shay Gear locomotive at Allaire.
Light Rail: Photo added of the light rail around Liberty State Park
Restored Equipment: Photo added of CNJ at the CNJ Jersey City Terminal.
Out of State Photos: Photos added from 30th Street Yard in Philadelphia.
3-05-01
News-
New Jersey Transit-
NJT has slated the use of the new light rail equipment
on the City Subway for sometime during early spring. A Farewell to the
PCC Celebration will occur. NJT has announced it will be closing it's
Kingsland and Lyndhurst stations on the Main Line. A new station will
be built midway between the two and will feature a parking lot with several
hundred spots and high level platforms. The former Kingsland station
will be used as a police substation.
New York & Greenwood Lake-
NYGL has acquired a former NJT U34CH. The Unit,
former NJT 4172, nee EL 3372 is currently being painted and fixed up in the
NYGL's Dundee Yard in Paterson.
PATH-
The Port Authority of NY&NJ has increased fares
on the PATH service. The fare was raised from $1.00 to $1.50 one way.
Toll fares were also increased on the tunnels and bridges.
Pine Creek Railroad-
The ex- Carrol Park and Western equipment that was
sitting in Bayville has been moved to Allaire State Park. Among the
equipment acquired was one coach, one combine, a steam locomotive, track and
signal pieces. (Photos of the equipment in Bayville
located in Tourist Railroad Photos Section.)
The PCR plans to restore the coach and make the combine ADA accessible.
Site News- The CNJ 1965 Atlantic Highlands Branch Map has been taken offline
Updates-
Histories:
Carrol Park and Western: Updated!
Maps:
NJT 2020 Map: Updated!
(c)-2001 Gerald Oliveto