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Just a heads up that NJ.com has written a very nice article relating to Jersey Rail Stations. I'm sure they are not totally accurate, but did a great job for general information on the stations.

Anybody want to chime in?

NJ.Com

whoops-new link update  http://www.nj.com/traffic/inde..._train_stations.html

(or just Google NJ.com historical train stations)

 

 

Like to hear about your favorite Joisey Stations.  Brick Church Station, D.L.&W was mine. 

Thanks

Floyd

Last edited by FloydS
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Nice photos. Although originally from Cranford, on the CNJ, we moved to Chatham, on the DL&W about 1955. I wound up spending lots of time with one of the Relief Towerman at the Summit Tower, Dover Tower, Danville Tower and Port Morris Tower. however, I always like Summit the best, with its three tracks and the Gladstone Branch interchange.

Hot Water

Not too many quality pics of tower--since it was so set in the cut. Didn't the Rahway Valley RR also connect here?  Actually, the best thing about station area was the Summit Diner (eh, eh). Unfortunately,if you didn't know what you wanted or stalled/stuttered--the waiter would growl at you. 

 

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FloydS posted:

Hot Water

Not too many quality pics of tower--since it was so set in the cut. Didn't the Rahway Valley RR also connect here?  Actually, the best thing about station area was the Summit Diner (eh, eh). Unfortunately,if you didn't know what you wanted or stalled/stuttered--the waiter would growl at you. 

 

Right you are! The Summit Tower was indeed built into the wall, on the east end of the station, but because of the nice large bay-window, the tower operator had a good view in either direction. 

Yes, the Rahway Vally delivered freight, from the east end of the yard. The daily P&D Drill, from Dover, would switch the yard, and then depart back towards Dover, servicing industries enroute.

Did someone say historic NJ rail stations? How about Raritan River's Milltown freight station? The Raritan River NRHS is going to move this NJ artifact next summer. Some kids actually busted down the front door a week ago. Some of the guys had to pull the door back in place. If anyone would like to see interior photos, just email me or post a comment here. RRRR Milltown FirstRRRR Milltown Fourth6947061918_6be91c2e56_zRRRR Milltown

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Last edited by RaritanRiverRailroadFan4
DohertyNJ posted:

Red Bank Station is my favorite. I also like the Old wooden station in Aberdeen Nj.

The Seashore line had some great stations, but they all burnt down.The track is now a bike path owned by NJT.

I agree. Built to the railroad's specifications, many of the stations had that CNJ look to them. 

Here are a few additional examples....a fairly contemporary look at Fanwood station and a 70s era image of Matawan station:

CNJ1CNJ2 

The Matawan station building has since lost its canopy.

Bob

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Don----the Lambertville Station is a great restoration effort and tourist stop even now.. It's the stop on the old Delaware Valley RR line.  Joisey history fans know it for the Raritan Canal, the old bridge to New Hope and the Spring shad fishing on the Delaware River. Yep, just cross the bridge and you're staring at a regularly run train the New Hope and Ivyland RR.

Floyd

 

Last edited by FloydS

The CNJ Newark Station has been long gone, but the front facade on Broad St. still exists. It has survived many a development plan. It was 2nd cousin to the PRR Newark Penn Station.  But this "station" should/could  be considered on a model layout (wall) --since it does not eat up any real estate!

 

When my family said--"take the Newark train down to the (Jersey) shore"----this is where you would start. 

 

>>the Lambertville Station is a great restoration effort and tourist stop even now.. It's the stop on the old Delaware Valley RR line.  Joisey history fans know it for the Raritan Canal, the old bridge to New Hope and the Spring shad fishing on the Delaware River. Yep, just cross the bridge and you're staring at a regularly run steam engine at the New Hope and Ivyland RR.

That was the Belvidere-Delaware ("Bel-Del") later PRR.  

AFAIK, NH&I No 40 is undergoing repair and hasn't operated in quite some time.

 

>>The daily P&D Drill, from Dover, would switch the yard, and then depart back towards Dover, servicing industries enroute.

 

The P&D (Passaic & Delaware) Drill worked the Gladstone Branch.  I believe it originated at Harrison.

P&D Roustabout under E-L originated at Croxton/Jersey City, NJ. Was a 6 day job..Mon-Wed-Fri usually worked electrified Montclair Branch and west to Chatham/Madison/Morris Plains on electrified Morristown Line. On Tue-Thur-Sat usually worked electrified Gladstone Branch. On eastward trip any day also worked Orange, NJ/Rheingold brewery. Work limits were Croxton to Port Morris, NJ via any route.

Was also known as the 'Happy Rock' drill i.e. Gladstone.

Power in late 1960 to CR/1976 was usually a pair of Alco RS-3s or EMD GP-7/9s but as business disappeared, usually one RS or GP diesel was enough and sometimes even an SW-9. Once we even had a D&H RS-3. (dereco years)

Left Croxton via Boonton Line to DB drawbridge, then backed train to West End and usually turned locomotive there. At Summit did the Rahway Valley interchange and then went west.

Because job was on the high iron during rush hour, it was a good candidate for rescuing crippled MUs. The conductor had the ritual down like a script. When an MU was late, especially during bad weather, he had his ear to the lineside dispatcher's phone waiting for any hint of MU trouble.

This was normally a 15:59 hours job (except Saturday) and when called to rescue a train it made it more 'acceptable' paycheck wise. Snow was known as 'white gold'.

Worked this job many, many times.

Walter M. Matuch

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since Matawan station was discussed above, I thought it might be interesting to document the changes which have taken place there in recent decades so I made a lunch hour visit today. 

In the top image, we see the building which was placed in service during the early 80s as electrification was extended from South Amboy. In the second view, a westbound train arrives between the original and it's rather unremarkable replacement. Lastly, we see several views of the current station facilities located just west/south of the previous images. Note the name of the station stop is now Matawan-Aberdeen, reflecting the official name change of the town's Aberdeen section.

Bob

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