Abandoned in NJ

Does it come with trucks ? !!

I believe that was part of a restaurant on Route 46 along the Pequest River. I remember passing it many times in the 1960’s and 70’s to fish the Delaware.

@mark s posted:

Does it come with trucks ? !!

The trucks are on the car.

I think Artie is right, I saw something on this , probably in Weird NJ magazine. Explains why a car like that is so far from home......

You found it but it was never lost. It’s attached to an old restaurant. The place has been closed for years. I’ve been passed it many times  and am amazed it’s in as good a shape as t is. I can remember when you could go there and have a meal and sit and watch the River behind it. You probably already know but there’s another old Madison car attached to the Clinton Dinner out on Rt 78 around exit 13.

About 18 years ago, My family actually ate there one time. We were headed for “Hot Dog Johnny’s” down the road and found the hot dog stand closed. We doubled back to the restaurant and were greeted by the owner/chef’s wife and seated in the “dining car”. The food was excellent and not at all expensive. We didn’t live nearby, so we never got back to the place. It was a nice family operation that just faded away unfortunately.

The elements, nature and vandalism have certainly taken their toll on the entire establishment.  

I believe it is an original GM&O diner, a heavy weight that was trucked to the location after being moved by one of the nearby railroads, that are no longer in existence…

Tom

Tom, that’s why I never stopped there; too close to Hot Dog Johnnie’s! My aunt and uncle, by the last name of Amelung were good friends with the owner. We would stop there when I was young, as I lived in Hoboken, and my aunt and uncle lived in Tannersville, PA. I kept up the tradition when I was able to drive. I’d course, I preferred the Lackawanna, getting off in East Stroudsburg, and our relatives would pick us up at the station.

With broken windows and holes in the roof, I cannnot imagine the amount of damage Mother Nature has done over the years.

All that is needed for this piece of junk is a big chain saw.

Interesting history but sad to see. Thanks to all who posted.

(I need to try hot dog Johnny, does that still exist?)

@hokie71 posted:

Interesting history but sad to see. Thanks to all who posted.

(I need to try hot dog Johnny, does that still exist?)

Yes they do! They modify their hours during the Autumn/Winter months, so call ahead or check their website.

https://hotdogjohnny.com/store/

The menu is somewhat limited, basically hot dogs and fries with other minor items.

Tom

@Krieglok posted:

The menu is somewhat limited, basically hot dogs and fries with other minor items.

Yup! Those hot dogs and fries excellent. I typically get a large birch beer with my order

Bryce

And don't forget the buttermilk!

Guys,the Madison coach along Rt.78 in Clinton was part of the Blue Comet train that ran to the Jersey shore way back when.I had dinner in it quite a few times and actually watched them set it up when I lived in NJ. The restaurant has had a few name changes over the years. There was another restaurant about 6 miles east of one that had 2 coaches to dine in,don't know what ever happened to them.   Chet

Restaurant with the 2 coaches actually were Erie stillwell coaches. Yes still there as NJ TRANSIT does not need them back in service right now!   

Walter Matuch

Also Rod’s Ranch House at Convent Station, near Madison, NJ. They have some old coach for dining in. No idea of the heritage though…

It is located near Convent train station on the Morris and Essex line. When I qualified on the territory some 35 years ago, every Engineer I rode with, would mention that place when we went by.

Today, it is very upscale and probably not too many railroaders dine there…

Tom

Hey totally found the place on Google maps! 2016 photo but the number on that "FOR SALE/LEASE" sign is probably still good if anyone has the crazy idea to graduate from 1:48 to 1:1 scale haha (973-420-2948 I think?)!  Little far from what must have been former track bed though...

I believe this was a restaurant we ate at about 15 years ago. The dining hours to eat on the trains were at later hours. I thought the food was pretty good. I hate to see a place like this go under. My wife found this place and was excited to take me there and wouldn’t tell me we’re we were going. By the way, please don’t get the buttermilk at Johnny’s. Hot dogs and buttermilk just sounds nasty! Just my opinion.

@Merlin posted:

I believe this was a restaurant we ate at about 15 years ago. The dining hours to eat on the trains were at later hours. I thought the food was pretty good. I hate to see a place like this go under. My wife found this place and was excited to take me there and wouldn’t tell me we’re we were going. By the way, please don’t get the buttermilk at Johnny’s. Hot dogs and buttermilk just sounds nasty! Just my opinion.

You said it Merlin! We never had buttermilk before so we bought a mug of it. After a sip, the remainder ended up being quickly poured out in the grass….yuck!

There were a couple railroads nearby. The DL&W Old Road or the Hampton Branch? The Lehigh and Hudson River was nearby too. This map portion shows Butzville in the center, surrounded by many rail lines back in the day…

Tom