Today I see freight at around 6:30 on the Northbound track at Rahway train station. How the heck did that happen and where is that Norfolk Southern train going? Was there ever or is there freight on the North Jersey Coast Line? formerly NY&LB and what was the true story to the six tracks at Rahway which was supposed to be a relief line to where? There are three tracks coming out at Union Interlocking at Rahway to the NorthJersey Coast Line and a McGraws Yard siding track that passes Leesville Ave in Avenel NJ. I lived at the apartment complex on that spot around 1994-2001 Was the NorthJersey Coast Line supposed to have 3 tracks all the way? Two for passenger and one for freight? Today it has two. I’ve been trying to educate myself on the Northeast Corridor operations.
Gee, how’d this one slip through the cracks? I just noticed it today. Sorry Alloboard, I suspect there’s been so much activity lately this question of yours got pushed out of the way before anyone noticed.
To answer, I suspect this freight was diverted off it’s regular route due to “whatever”, or it runs on a somewhat regular basis using trackage rights. The old Erie Main Line through Bergen County hosts NS trackage right freights in addition to NJT trains, goes back to Conrail days.
And Alloboard, if you’re interested in the North Jersey Coast Line there’s some videos posted on You Tube. Search “you tube north jersey coast line” and you’ll find them.
There’s a very interesting video posted as well called “new jersey transit in the snow rahway”, it’s a very dramatic piece worth looking at. Or maybe you’ve has enough snow for a while?
Does anybody think it strange that the OP starts out with a “Today I see…” on a message posted in February and the picture is of the station in summer with everybody in short sleeved shirts?
JUST FOR INFO. THERE IS A SHARED ASSET TRAIN THAT RUNS EVERY THURSDAY FROM SOUTH AMBOY ON NJ TRANSIT TRACKS TO RED BANK TO A CONRAIL TRACK THAT GOES TO LAKEWOOD NJ TO WOODHAVEN LUMBER. IT BETWEEN 5-12 CENTER BULKHEADS FLAT CARS AND BOX CARS.
BULKHEADS HAVE 2X4s, 2X6s, 2X8s, 2X8s, PLYWOOD, AND FLAKEBOARD. TRAIN ARRIVES AT MAIN ST IN FARMINGDALE AT 6 PM SOMETIMES IT HAS A CSX , SOMETIMES NS. COUPLE OF TIMES DOUBLE HEADED ENGINES IF OVER 10 CARS. NORMAL SPEED 25 MPH OR LESS. TRACK NOT IN GREAT SHAPE ONCE IT LEAVES NJT NORTH JERSEY COAST LINE AT RED BANK.
The track to Lakewood is what remains of the old Central of New Jersey line to Winslow Junction with the main line of PRSL to Atlantic City. This was the route of the Blue Comet
The CNJ line went all the way to the Delaware Bay, just south of Bridgeton. Winchester and Western operates over this line from Vineland to Bridgeton, picking up and delivering traffic to Conrail at Millville. They also operate a portion of a branch from Bridgeton that went to the Maurice River east of Bridgeton.
The Southern Railroad of NJ operates a small part of the line CNJ just south of WInslow Junction (and has rights all the way to Vineland). They also occasionally store private cars just north of Winslow Junction.
