BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

CNJ mail service.........

Until 1965, a number of CNJ trains carried mail, using both RPOs and mail storage cars.

At the south side of the Jersey City terminal, the busy US MAIL facility was located (torn down in 1975), where mail was transferred between the trains and trucks.

Some RDG trains also carried mail out of Jersey City.

Mail from New York came over in trucks via the ferries, and then transferred to the trains.

After mail service ceased in 1965, express items (and newspapers) continued to be carried in combines, up until Aldene, when the CNJ retired all combos en masse..............

"NYO"

['RAILWAY POST OFFICE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Head-end traffic.........

Through a good part of the 1960s ,head- -end traffic was still commonplace on both the CNJ and the E-L; the E-L, in particular, through the mid-60s, operated a number of through train swith heavy head-end loadings.

It was not uncommon to see E-L through trains carrying at least head-end cars;there were express cars, baggage cars,mail storage cars,and RPOs.

Milk cars were used by the E-Lon the Sussex Branch (the last railroad in NJ to carry milk) until that branch lost its passenger service in late 1966.

The CNJ rostered a large number of combines; these cars were unusual,in that they also had vestibules at the baggage end.

Most (but not all) ran in trains with the baggage compartment facing the rear.

The very last "mail and express" trains, the Hoboken-Buffalo overnight runs, "THE OWL" and the "NEW YORK MAIL" carried a large number of head-end cars as well as a coach or two at the rear.

These trains were discontinued in 1969.

Sealed pouch mail was carried until early 1970,when the last E-L through train, "THE LAKE CITIES" to Chicago, was discontinued.

E-L's RPOs were all retired by 1968.

The E-L has a large, always-busy REA facility just oitside the Hoboken trainsheds, that was closed prior to 1970.

Indeed,it was a fascinating time for anyone,young or old, who was interested in passenger operations..........

"NYO"

["REX"]

[Cyberider]

They made for a more interesting train.