Train related things to see around Highlands, NJ

Sorry for the late post. My Wife and I will be in Highlands NJ from Sunday thru Thursday. Any Hobby Shops, Train displays, Real Trains, anyone willing to show us your layout in the area. Please let me know. Thanks, Dave

Dave:

Along the “Bayshore” as it’s called, there are a few things to check out.

In Keyport there are a few Antique Centers that always have some O Gauge trains for sale.

Nearby Red Bank (very cool town, NOT on the Bayshore), has a large Train and Hobbby store.

Along the Bayshore itself there used to be a branch of the CNJ, The Seashore Branch, it left the
Bay Head line at Matawan, and ran along the Bayshore into Highlands and then down the barrier island into Long Branch and back inland where it rejioned the Bay Head line (known as the New York and Long Branch).

This branch was abadonded below Highlands in the 1940’s, BUT the line from Matawan to Atlantic Highlands remained an active commuter line until 1966. Today most if the ROW is a walking/biking trail.
Highlands itself lost train service in the early 50’s when the line was cut back to Atlantic Highlands.

Enjoy!

Ken

Island Trains is up that way on Rt.35. The guy is nice to talk to and he has a good amount of Lionel/MTH, etc. I know that a few of the old train stations along the line are still there and are converted into shops and restaurants, but neat architecture.

Dennis

Thanks for your offers to see things and suggestions of where to go. Our plans got thrown into a loop. We stayed in Highlands at a great B&B, the Seascape Inn. But We spent as much time at the Monmouth ER in Long Branch. My Wife came down with one of her worst Migraines ever. We went to the ER first time on Sunday night, our first night there. We got poor service and they failed to break the Migraine so we ended up having to come back to the ER on Tuesday Night to get it done right. Even that only took the pain from a 9 down to a 5-6, so we pulled up stakes and came home Thursday afternoon, only to end up at the Doctor at home today for a 3rd round of treatment plus some scripts for steroids to hopefully break it up. The next step is to the Migraine Clinic at John Hopkins. My Wife has suffered from headaches since high school, so it’s been 25 years now. Time for some serious measures. My Back was punished sitting in the ER for a total of 11 hours over both days, and 6-7 hours in the car. I really wanted to see the NJHRs and the OC club, plus the hobby shop in Redbank. I need to visit by myself next time. I did get to the remains of the old military proving grounds on Sandy Hook. Also there was a somber and sobering 9/11 memorial at the highlands overlook for the victims of Monmouth County. You could see Manhattan from there, and many locals had used the Ferry Service. Well maybe better luck next time. When I do tweak the images of the memorial and the proving grounds I will post them. Thanks again for the offers and suggestions. Dave & Laurie Reading, PA

**Cruikshank…**sorry to hear your wife is under the weather. Hope this round of help finally finds a solution to mitigate if not resolve the her migraines. These are not fun, and they are tough to get a handle on.

I have a family member who has likewise had them for decades despite a number of approaches. Prescription meds haven’y helped vs. otc. Dietary approach didn’t help either.

Stress and fatigue seem to be the only common denominators triggering onset. And the only thing that has nipped them was/is about 8-12 ounces of warm 7-up with a tablespoon of salt added, taken as soon as any symptom of onset is detected. Plus an otc pain med, but I can’t recall which. Sounds hokey but it has worked to keep the intensity down if not knock it down before it becomes debilitating.

Jack