According to what I spotted on an old PRR map of Middlesex and Union counties, there was a depot (train station) at union interlocking in Rahway called Perth Amboy Junction. When I did some resarch I found out that Union interlock was built in 1912. Where can obtain more info regarding this. I don’t even think that this would be easy to find online.
Probably, you start with the National Archives and the Temple University Library special collections Department…Start looking for AFE records and closeouts plus the ICC Field Notes in the Archives at College Park MD (NARA Archives II)…$$$, patience and an engineering background would help.
Which National Archives and which Temple University Library?
What type of information are you looking for ? About the whole interlocking, or just the depot/ station ? Just the history, or enough to model it ? The places mentioned by mudchicken would - if successful - have arcane documents with lots of details about the R-O-W, track arrangements, and the buildings and other improvements - perhaps more than you want ? Or is that exactly what you want ?
Temple University is the one based in Philadelphia, PA; do an on-line search for the National Archives with the info in his post and you’ll find out how to get there and what they have, and how to make arrangements to review it, etc.
From the date, I’ d first suspect it was built as part of the PRR’s extension and tunnel project to reach Manhattan and the then-new Pennsylvania Station. The chapter in William Middleton’s comprehensive When the Steam Railroads Electrified may have more info on that. Also, the Centennial History of the PRR, from 1946. Charles Roberts has been writing a series of books on the PRR ( and B&O) that are usually called “Triumph __”, but I don’t know offhand if he’s gotten that far yet. There are also many books on various aspects of the PRR - such as its motive power - by various authors that may shed light on your question. And there’s a fair amount of material on-line, but pointing the way does take a little time.
If you can provide a little more focus and some patience while people get you pointed in the right direction, and you ‘go there’ - both on the Internet and in person - you’ll probably find most of whatever it is you’re looking for.
- Paul North.
I think Perth Amboy Junction station may have been built around 1871 as the western terminal of the Perth Amboy & Woodbridge RR. It’s on the list of PRR stations in the 1901 Manhattan Guide.
Also mentioned in a 1911 NY Times article about J.P. Morgan on a very fast train.
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9406E0D81731E233A25757C2A9679C946096D6CF
Signalbox page for Union Interlocking.
There’s nothing on this in Middleton’s book.
I also have a copy of the Morning Sun Books, Inc. PRR: Hudson to Horseshoe
photo book by William D. ‘‘Bill’’ Volkmer - see: http://www.morningsunbooks.com/pennsycat2.html He has a couple pages on the Union Interlocking as being the junction of the New York & Long Branch - jointly operated by the PRR with the Jersey Central - with the main line. He also mentioned that the NY&LB as also being known as the ‘‘Perth Amboy & Western’’ - not Woodside - if I’m not mistaken, but I don’t think that’s helpful here anyway.
But as I thought, the likely most benefit for your time and money could be had from reviewing a copy of this book:
PRR Triumph V
Yep - page 36 is about Linden and Rahway, Rahway Junction = UNION interlocking, and in the last couple of lines at the bottom is the comment on the PRR’s ‘‘PA&W’’
Thanx for the effort Paul! …I hope this newbie isn’t out looking for instant gratification and can learn to do the legwork & research. (tired of folks who think there is a website for anything[:(!])
For your info I am already informed that there ain’t no website for this. I am doing research and I will pay a visit to the town hall to find out more. Hows that!!! and I ain’t no newbee I’ve been a member of this forum for over 5 years!!! You’ll should watch your toungs these days and the words comming out of it.
There were 6 newly elevated tracks from Perth Amboy Junction to Linden in 1913, according to this NY Times article about the opening of Rahway station. I guess that might be what caused the demise of the station at Perth Amboy Junction.
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9E0DEFD8153FE633A25754C2A9619C946296D6CF
http://www.rahwayhigh.com/3/miscellaneous7.htm
Mike