BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Clearly reflecting the "Less Is More" mentality of the later 1960's, the Aldene Plan, which drastically cut service on the CNJ, created more headaches than it solved.

When the CNJ was still running into Jersey City, the Communipaw ferry terminal had 18 active tracks; during rush hours, several trains could load and unload at the same time.

In Newark's Penn Station, as I had mentioned earlier, the CNJ was but a mere "tenant", and no longer could multiple trains load or unload, as the tracks had to be cleared with the least amount of delay.

Too, think of the large scale job loss, with the Aldene Plan; all ferryboat pilots, deckhands, engine room men, bridgemen and gatemen found themselves without employment.

The people who had run the concessions at both Jersey City and Liberty St. (newsstands, snack bars, etc.) for decades, likewise, were also out of a job.

From accounts I've read over the years, the first day of the Aldene Plan was chaotic; station stops were missed, trainmen/conductors found themselves left behind on station platforms after their trains departed without them, towermen scratched their collective heads.......how does the old saying go?

"If it ain't broke, DON'T fix it"........'nuff, said........

"NYO"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communipaw_Terminal *

*There are several errors on this page; among them, the CNJ ferries never ran to Brooklyn, nor did they ever run to Staten Island.

Also, the CNJ ferries to W. 23rd St. ceased operation in 1942, not 1945, as stated here.

The steamship "ASBURY PARK" mentioned was not one of the commuter ferries, but was part of the CNJ's "SANDY HOOK FLEET", that operated seasonally from Manhattan (next to the Liberty St. ferry Slips) to a finger pier at Atlantic Highlands, where the luxurious steamers connected with the CNJ commuter trains that operated on different routes serving shore communities.

The Government forced the CNJ to abandoned this picturesque service for the duration of WW2 (for fear of attack by German U-Boats), and, after the War, was not revived.....

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also of interest:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey_Southern_Railroad

This is very interesting historical page, encompassing not only the CNJ, but other area railroads as well.

There is also some information (also, a vintage photo) of the CNJ's "SANDY HOOK ROUTE" steamer operations......

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Downsizing........

Prior the Aldene Plan, the CNJ's Jersey City coach yard, along Johnston Avenue, stretched from just outside the trainsheds all the way to the NJ Turnpike Extension, a half-mile distant.

Between rush hours, the yards (controlled by Tower "B") was jammed with hundreds of heavyweight commuter coaches.

Until 1958, B&O passenger equipment was also stored/serviced here; RDG cars were stored here until 1967.

A week before the Aldene Plan started up, the CNJ operated many "hospital trains" out of Jersey City, clearing out the excess equipment that would no longer be needed.

Some cars were hauled NOPORANO, near Newark, for scrapping (back in the day, classic rail equipment from across the country was scrapped here)

Some cars were hauled to the E'Port shops, where they remained a.s "spares" to keep the remaining fleet operating.

Still others sat idle outside the old Jersey City terminal until about 1975.

The fortunate cars eventually went to tourist roads.

As I had mentioned previously, the CNJ retired all combines when the Aldene Plan took effect; many combos (as well as coaches) sat under the the echoing Bush trainsheds, waiting for commuters that would never arrive.

These cars were eventually cut up on the spot.

Until the CNJ closed down freight operations at Jersey City in 1973, the train concourse at Jersey City was used for employee parking.

Waste, waste, waste........

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

.........In 1957, the PRR's Exchange Place station had the sad distinction of being the last of the Jersey City waterfront depots to serve steam-hauled trains.

Prior to the diesel era, PRR's legendary "K-4's" hauled NY&LB trains down to Bay Head Junction; all other runs out of Exchange Place were operated with MP-54 MU's.

The steamers were replaced by "Shark" diesels.

With the passing of the last K-4's, the long and colorful era of steam on the railroads of Jersey City sadly passed into history.......

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here are two nostalgic views taken at Exchange Place, back in the 1950's, when the stately K-4's stood cheek-to-jowl with the stalwart, owl-eyed MP-54's.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?142308

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?142328

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

The hard-workin' "K-4"* was always a great favorite of mine; I still have two LIONEL K-4's that my cousins gave me back in 1962, when they were moving, and breaking up their LIONEL layout!

As to #1361, let's hope that SOMEDAY this magnificent engine will be "back in action", burnishing the rails once again!

"NYO"

*Through the 1956 racing season, K-4's also hauled PRR specials to Monmouth Park at Oceanport, replacing GG-1's at South Amboy.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Regarding the current NJT engineer's strike..........

This strike, of course, also effects service to Port Jervis from Hoboken (this is a "west of Hudson" Metro-North run)

This was originally an ERIE line (until 1960); then, ERIE-LACKAWANNA until 1976, anf then ConRail, before being taken over by NJT.

Seeing dozens of trains layed up in the yards at Hoboken (via news reports), and under the historic Bush sheds, indeed had an "errie" feeling that was quite tangible; ditto the empty NJT platforms and concourse at Penn Station New York, and also at Newark.

Back in the 1960s, if one of the then-independent commuter roads was out (for whatever reason) there were alternate roads to "fill the gap".

Too, back in the 60s, think of the many now long-gone New Jersey suburban bus carriers that were then on hand, to "pitch in" if need be.

Alas, those days are now long, long gone......let's hope this this strike is not a lengthy one, for all concerned......

"NYO"

["TRACK 5-PORT JERVIS EXPRESS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Update:

NJT brass are going to be sitting down with the engineers at 1PM today; let's hope for at least some progress...........

"NYO"

["NORTH JERSEY COAST LINE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Sunday:

GOOD NEWS!

NJT and the Engineer's Union have reached a agreement, ending the 3-day NJT rail strike.

Contingency plans will be in place for Monday, and full rail service is expected on Tuesday!

Good news, indeed!

"NYO"

["ALL ABOARD!"]