In Brian Solomons Book “Electric Locomotives” are a few photos taken along a “Hi Line” called route in the Jersey Madows. The route has only two tracks, but it runs between Penn Station and Newark, says the autor. So is it a part of the North East Corridor or just a passing by route? Is it in use today?
Thanks, Michael
Do you know what Railroad runs on it?
This is the old New York Connecting Railroad, which was built by PRR to link the Hudson Tunnels with Newark station. It’s very much a part of the Northeast Corridor, of course. And a good trainwatching spot.
The reason it was ‘two tracks’ on an otherwise 4- to 6-track main line is because it is essentially a bridge line to two tunnel bores, which control the traffic density anyway. Of course, there are multiple platforms in Newark, and a yard between the east portals of the Hudson river tunnels and Penn Station, so there is essentially no problem with nearly-continuous traffic each way on a double track.
There are now ‘three’ tracks for part of the route, thanks to construction of the Allied Junction station which connects to ex-EL commuter lines, etc. I have not seen this station completed, so I don’t know if there are other station platform tracks at this altitude related to the trackage connecting the electrified ex-Lackawanna line to allow its trains to go into Penn Station.
There are plenty of others on this list or on PRR historical sites that can tell you more.
RME
Thanks for your answer, it helps me alot. Do you know where i can find photos from todays hi-line?
The allied junction station you talked about, is it the secaucus junction which connects the hoboken terminal with the north east corridor?
thanks