Hi Everyone, I was wondering if there is currently any freight service on the former Erie Northern Branch. If so, where do the freights go and what customers do they serve? Thank you for any info you can provide.
Yes, as a matter of fact there is. I can’t name all the customers but the last stop now is in in Englewood NJ at a food processing company, they process vegetable oil into salad dressings and such. The line is in poor condition, speed is limited to 10 mph. CSX, the current owner would dearly love to abandon it but can’t at this time.
New Jersey Transit is VERY interested in turning it into a Light Rail commuter line but it’s not without a bit of controversey. You can find out more if you’re curious by doing an on-line search of “The Northern Branch Railroad”, several topics on the same are there to be seen.
If you’re REALLY interested Wislew Publications puts out an 88 minute DVD called “The Northern Branch In The 21st Century”, a very entertaining video program, I own it myself. It shows Northern Branch operations from 2001 to 2006. Search www.wislew.com for details.