BusTalk

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In this timeless 1969photo, weseean "RS-3" hauling a string of elderly "Stillwells"into the Hoboken terminal;gowwell I recall such classic scenes, as a lad.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?52681

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["THE FRIENDLY SERVICE ROUTE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On this day in 1958.............

The CNJ suffered its wost disaster in its history when a late-morning commurer train (Bay Head to Jersey City) ran through the open span of the Newark Bay lift bridge; the two GP-7s and several coaches plunged into the bay.

The engine crew and 46 passengers lost their lives.

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

See:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newark_Bay_rail_accident

["CNJ"]

[Cyberider]

Sounds like quite the disaster with few answers.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[Cyberider]

Sounds like it was a "fine mess" in addition to being a tragedy. Thanks for the information on this transit event.

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Cyberider:

The NY&LB commuters who normally rode the CNJ into Jersey City could, at least, take a PRR train either into New York (or Exchange Place); the PRR, accordingly, added more cars to their Shore trains, during this time.

"Main Line" CNJ commuters switched to buses to reach Manhattan; B&O and RDG service to Jersey City was suspended for the duration of the cleanup........

"NYO"

['CRRNJ"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Other CNJ bridge incidents.........

In 1946, a steamip took out the center span of the Hackensack River swing bridge, forever severing the "Durect Lie" between Jersey City and Newark.

For a short time, passenger service on the east side of the river was operated between West Side Avenie and the Jersey City terminal, using a shuttle with a Camelback at each end of a short consist of coaches.

This unique operation only lasted a few years.

On the west side of the river, a full-time shuttle operated (until 1967) between Elozabethport and Newark.

Also, rush hour through trains to Plainfilel from the Western Electric/Federal Shipyard complex in Kearny

Then, in 1966 a tugboat damafed the main span of the Raritan River swing bridge; (NY&LB) PSNJ buses shuttled commuters from South Amboy to Perth Amboy, where commuters could catch trains to either Jersey City or Newark.

This incident lasted several days, before repairs to the bridge were completed.

No trains were involved in either incident.....

"NYO"

["CRRofNJ"]

[Cyberider]

Sounds like it was quite the operation back in the day. Would have been fascinating to have experienced it. (except for the accidents)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyberide:

With uts friendly crews and railfan-0friendly management (and its dierse operations) the CNJ was a tremendous favorite with New Jersey-area railfans, through the.1960s.

It STILL holds a special place in the hearts of older railfans today.......

"NYO"

["5:45 PLAINFIELD LOCAL"]

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The former CNJ "Direct Line" today........

On the east side, a portion of the old ROW is now used by the HBLR, although one section has been fiilled in, and the tracks now run atstreet level, near the former Jackson Avenue station.

On the west side, the old line is TOTALLY obliterated, save for the short bridge which carried trains over the former PRR near Penn Station, Newark, and the gutted shell of the old Broad Street (Newark) headhouse.

The massice Metife arena now butts up against the headhouse shell..............

"NYO"

["JERSEY CENTRAL LINES"]

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This modern-day photo looks west from the platforms at Penn Station, Newark; the old CNJ trestle (abandoned in 1967) still spans the tracks.

It had once been earmarled dor a pedestrian walkway toMetLife; the old CNJ Broad Street headhouse was to be used as another entrance to the arena.

The ramp at far left is used by PATH trains, heading for New York from Waverly yard..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?20475

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[
["RARITAN VALLEY LINE"]

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Unteresting "celebrity" NY&LB trivia.............

Bruce Springsteen was born in Long Branch in 1949; this was always a busy location on the NY&LB.

In 1949, the CNJ was just starting to intriduce diesels, but Camelbacks were still commonplace.

The PRR would still be using "K-4" steamers for another 8 years.

PRR ferryboats still connected with the trains at Exchange Place (Jersey City)

Today, Long Branch is the southernmost terminal for NJCL electrification; from here to Bay Head it is diesel only..............

"NYO"

["5: 20 LONG BRANCH"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

1965...............

That year, theCNJ lost all mail service; all RPOs were retired, as were mail storage cars.

The combines continued to be used in regular service (carrung express packages and newspapers, until Aldene in 1967.

Also in 1965, all steam-powered ferries were retired, except for the "ELIZABETH", which was used in regular service, and the "WILKES-BARRE", which was relegated to spare boat status.

Two ex-Brooklyn 69th Street boats, "THE TIDES" and "THE NARROWS", were lrased to the CNJ until service ended in 1967.

Neither boat could load from theupper deck at the two terminals; and makeshift passenger cbins were installed on the outercar lanes of the main deck...........

'NYO"

['NEXT BOAT"]

["RAILWAY POST OFFICE"]