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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2026 11:06 pm Post subject:

(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS)

New Jersey's "Little Short Line That Could", still with us today..............

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

['M&E"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2026 11:13 pm Post subject:

Here is an interesting service, largely unknown to many railfans; VERY interesting operations over the decades.....note operations to Jersey City............

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

["TROPICANA"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2026 8:55 pm Post subject:

Backin the pre-Aldene era, the CNJ's NY&LB trains to Jersey Shore points ran along the "Chemical Coast"l ine (this was also the CNJ's Perth Amboy Branch)

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_Coast

The northern connections to the long-since demolished Elizavethport station complex was long ago severed.

CNJ Shore trains switched off the main line at Elizabethport, traveled down the 'Chemical Coast" to Perth Amboy, where they connected with the BY&LB, at this point, under PRR wires)

Back in the 1960s, my folks and I rode CNJ trains down from Jersey City to Manasquan, to visit relatives, several times during each summer. I well remember how, in places, the trains ran beneath a complex ganglia of pipelines, passing through the the dominating refineries....it was QUITE fascinating, especially if we were heading back to Jersey City late, when all the looming refineries were ablaze with thousands of lights!)

The CNJ had several stations along this line (the stately "BARBER" station, built in 1894, resembled a small castle), mostly used by refinery/factory workers;l ong lines of tank cars were always a part of the fascinating industrial scenery..................

"NYO"

["4:55 BAY HEAD JCT."]

Cyberider · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 1450 Location: Tempe, AZ

Sounds notorious! I can just imagine something being called that today.

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2026 6:45 pm Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2026 9:28 pm Post subject:

Also:

Prior to Aldene, though the majority of westbound NY&LB trains terminated at Bay Head Jct, certain rush hour trains from Jersey City terminated at Point Pleasant........

"NYO"

["5:25 POINT PLEASANT"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2026 9:38 pm Post subject:

Bay Head, 1975..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?49791

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

Traditionally, CNJ trains were always staged on the left side of the yard, while PRR trains were llined uyp on the right.

By this rime, all CNJ shore trains were using refurbished through coaches; the remaining heavyweights were then relegated to the Raritan line only..........

"NYO"

["CNJ"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2026 11:09 pm Post subject:

Engine servicing facilities at Bay Head.........

After the CNJ totally dieselized, the only steamers (until 1957)at this terminus were the PRR "K-4s".

Of course, unlike the CNJ steamers, the PRR engines did not burn anthracite.

The diesel fuel that the CNJ and PRR used at this location was from a local company at nearby Point Pleasant, delivered via tank trucks.......

"NYO"

["MANUAL SWITCHING ONLY"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2026 11:22 pm Post subject:

What was once the CNJ's Southern Division branched off from the NY&LB at Red Bank; this was where the famous "Blue Comet" diverged away from the NY&LB to head south to Atlantic City.

Passenger service along this route has been gone now for many decades.

This is an interesting article; interesting history...........

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

["PLAN A WEEKEND GETAWAY TO ATLANTIC CITY TODAY!"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2026 5:14 pm Post subject:

CNJ heavyweights, post Aldene.............

By the earlu 1970s, the CNJ began to revamp the remaining heavyweight coaches in their commuter fleet.

The cars had their plush sheets re-covered in vinyl, and the exteriors were repainted in B&O's then current blue and gold.

One "Liberty" herald was applied on either side of the coaches, along with "CNJ" lettering, and an "NJDOT" emblem.

The cars all retained their original lighting; the last were retired c.1984 ,the last diesel-hauled standard coaches in the state.............

"NYO"

["CNJ"]

Cyberider · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 1450 Location: Tempe, AZ

Thanks for all the NJ RR history. Lots of action in a relatively small state!

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2026 7:53 pm Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2026 11:02 pm Post subject:

Not long after the ConRail takeover, we see an ex-CNJ Geep, painted in the "Red Baron" (or "Coast Guard") colors, deadheading back to the Harrison yard.

Note repainted coaches; their "Liberty" heralds had already been removed..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?36726

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["GP-7"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2026 11:07 pm Post subject:

CNJ Harrison yard, 1976...............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?36733

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["GP-40P"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2026 11:17 pm Post subject:

In this classic 1975 photo, we see a CNJ Raritan train awaiting departure from Newark; here the "GP-40" is operating long hood forward.

Note one of the ex-GN coaches in tow,

Also, the 1965-era "Liberty" herald is prominently displayed here.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?53576

(courtsey:nyusubway.org)

["5:20 RARITAN LOCAL"]