NJT Sandy Damage:

NJT's website had a pretty extensive slide show too.  How close are they to getting services back up and running.  I don't get all the news out here in the west as I'd like on the east coast railroads I model.

In today;''s Sunday paper, NJT Failed to store cars out of harms way as they did during hurricane Irene. I believe many diesels and over 60 cars were stored in Hoboken Yard and were flood damaged- i.e. wheelsets were underwater. this will mean the replacement of all those wheelsets and traction motors.

I have happy news to report from this area. At least some level of service is resuming on all NJ Transit lines tomorrow, the 19th with the exception of the Gladstone Line which remains out of service due to storm damage. On the North Jersey Coast Line, trains will operate over the full length of the railroad to Bay Head, a rather remarkable feat at this date given the level of damage sustained along the right of way. Travel times are expected to be slower than those in the timetable due to slow orders, potential signaling problems, etc. Also, the 2300 series diesel trains to Hoboken will not be running for now.

Bob    

That's amazing -- considering that line was pretty much centered around the worst-hit areas along the coast by the storm.  The Gladstone line is considerably away from the coast, so damage there must have really been related to downed trees and power lines along the tracks.

David

Correct. Downed trees wreaked havoc along the Gladstone Line. I live along the NJCL and I'm duly impressed passenger trains will be running again so quickly. Local freight SA-31 which uses the NJCL between South Amoby and Red Bank ran down Thursday and back on Friday without incident. I've been told a 10 MPH sped restriction and a no braking order has been placed in effect on the Raritan River Bridge. In addition, freight movements over the bridge are prohibited so traffic between Oak Island and Browns will continue to detour over the Northeast Corridor to Midway for exchange with a crew from Browns.

Restoration of service at this point in time is a real tribute to the hard work and dedication of the employees involved in the recovery efforts.

Bob    

considering the extensive washouts south of So. Amboy and that the Raritan Draw had sections pushed off support by the tidal surge, it is testament to the workers the line can be run this morning.

Restoration of service is progressing well. Rights of way, particularly those of segments washed out, are in surprisingly good condition due to the heroic efforts of the employees. Rust on the surfaces of the rails is dissipating and track circuits are shunting more reliably as time passes.

Leaves and their residue are proving to be a challenge. Since most trees still had the majority of their leaves when Sandy hit, we had what seemed like seas of leaves on the ground in the storm's aftermath. They've been causing traction problems but other than making the ride a bit rougher for the passengers, the trains are still getting through.

Bob      

As part of the monumental task to restore service, available equipment is being used in whatever role is necessary. For example, here's a Metro-North unit on a Bay Head - Long Branch shuttle at Spring Lake:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=415671

Metro-North power rarely, if ever, leaves the Hoboken Division but sometimes you gotta do whatever it takes to keep things moving. Here's another well deserved thumbs up to the railroaders at NJ Transit! 

Bob