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The Aldene Plan/CNJ/Waterfront Rails
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 11:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

In the 1950's, a different species (non lethal!) of "shark" was regularly seen on the NY&LB....... Wink

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?142348

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 12:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Scraping barnacles (and other assorted marine flora and fauna) off the hulls of a flotilla of railroad-owned vessels when they went into drydock for inspection (and general maintenece) was yet another huge financial drain on the already-ailing railroads in the New York Harbor area, by the 1960's

With so much competition from interstate highways and trucks, the railroads found themselves floundering (recall, also, the passenger traffic lost, particularly long-haul, by the 1960's)

The NYCRR had drydocks/marine shops in Weehawken; the DL&W/E-L had their drydocks and marine yard on Staten Island; the CNJ's once-expansive marine facilities were in Jersey City, behind the Statue of Liberty.

The PRR's marine yard was in Hoboken.

Too, the closing/relocation of many industries in the area further dealt another blow to harbor-area railroads.

The railroads abandoned their passenger ferries first (the last vanished in 1967) but, for several more years, marine freight operations continued to limp along.

Freight terminals/float yards in Manhattan closed.

By 1970, the CNJ only had two tugs in its fleet (all others had been sold) while the LV had but one.

The E-L's once-large fleet of tugs was likewise rapidly shrinking; the NYCRR's distinctive fleet of steam tugs, based at Weehawken, vanished almost overnight.

By the later 1960's and early 1970's, claim after claim was filed against the E-L and the CNJ, due to shipped goods damaged by water, which, itself, was due to leaky water craft.

By 1973, the CNJ (when it closed down remaining freight operations in Jersey City) relinquished its carfloat traffic to the LV.

In 1976, Conrail abandoned all carfloat/lighter operations in the harbor with one exception; the B&O's float operations out of St. George continued for several years more before it, too, vanished.

How busy the harbor was with railroad craft, through the 1960's....all appeared well (appearances ARE indeed deceiving), but, indeed, evil times were upon these rail/marine operations, even then living on borrowed time.....

"NYO"
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 8:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

After the railroads abandoned marine operations in New York harbor, the ferryboats, tugs, and other craft faced many different fates.

When all but the "WILKES-BARRE" and "ELIZABETH" were retired in early/mid-1965 from the CNJ ferry fleet, the "CRANFORD" was sold for use as a floating restaurant, and was towed to Brielle, where she remained for many years, before finally being stripped and then sunk off the Jersey shore, as part of an artificial reef.

Her sisters were towed to Caven Point (Jersey City) and were set on fire (with all valuable artifacts still aboard)....what a WASTE!!!!! Sad

The elderly "WILKES-BARRE" became a relief boat for the Liberty St. line, and, after service ended in 1967, she sat idle for some time in one of the old PRR slips at Exchange Place, before finally being towed away for scrapping.

Her sister, the "ELIZABETH" became a floating PSE&G exhibition boat at the Salem nuclear power plant for many years, before she was sold again, and degenerated into a "HOOTERS" at Philadelphia (NOT a family-friendly establishment, you may be sure!)

Plans were underway to bring her back up to Jersey City, and dock her in one of the old slips at the CNJ terminal at Liberty Park, but, those plans fell through, and she later was scuttled off the coast, with one pilothouse being sheared off. Sad

I have heard, however, that her triple-expansion engines were saved, for eventual display.

One ex-NYC ferry ended up as a "dance boat" at Wildwood (long ago scrapped); her sister, "NIAGARA", through the 1970's, was used as a floating machine shop at a PSE&G plant on the Passaic River, within site of the E-L bridge, just west of the Bergen Tunnels (she, too, no longer exists)

Other ex-railroad ferries died a slow and painful death at WITTE's on Staten Island, the ex-Erie-Lackawanna "LACKAWANNA" among them.

The "SCRANTON" (E-L) sunk off Hoboken on New Year's Day in 1968, after she broke loose her moorings from where she was berthed, ad=fter Barclay St. ferry service had ended.

She was partially dismantled on the spot, and what remained of the grand old ferry was towed to Caven's Point for scrapping.

The "BINGHAMTON", the very last of the once-great railroad ferries fleets of the Hudson River, served as a popular restaurant and night spot for many years at Edgewater, before being abandoned and then severely damaged during SuperStorm Sandy.

There was no choice but to dismantle the decaying hulk of this once-proud ferry, the last of her kind, on the mudflats at Edgewater, as she was too unstable to be towed.

Thankfully, memories and photos help to keep the days of such handsome and historic craft alive today.......I'm certainly grateful that I grew up with the railroad ferries and tugs back in the 1960's, and have so many fond memories of them.......

"NYO"


Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Sun Apr 19, 2020 8:49 pm; edited 6 times in total
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 8:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The newer diesel tugs owned by the railroads were slightly better off than the old ferryboats; the older steam craft were scrapped (many decayed at WITTES for decades, slowly disintegrating on the dreary Staten Island mudflats) Sad

A few ex-CNJ tugs went south, and, I believe, might have worked for the C&O for some years.

Other now-surplus railroad diesel tugs were likewise sold to private owners.

Through the 1950's, some of the DL&W's steam tugs had very short stacks, to enable them to pass under the spans of Harlem River bridges without the need for the bridge to be open.

Only one ex-LV covered lighter barge survives today as an "exhibition" vessel; such barges were more than commonplace through the 1960's; in later years, you'd find them rotting and falling apart along the shorelines of the Harbor, ditto the once-commonplace carfloats.

Interestingly, the N&S&W did not have and marine fleet of its own, although the railroad did load SEATRAIN vessels when the original SEATRAIN terminal at Edgewater was still in operation.......

"NYO"
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The "ELIZABETH" was the only remaining CNJ ferry in regular service between Jersey City and Liberty St., Manhattan, when service ended in April, 1967.

Originally built as the "LAKEWOOD", her wooden superstructure was destroyed by fire while in drydock, and emerged as the "ELIZABETH" with an all-steel superstructure, in the early 1950's.

She was also the last regularly operating boat (the "WILKES-BARRE" had been docked at the Jersey City terminal as a relief boat since 1965) to be able to load/unload from the upper deck at Jersey City and Liberty St.

Her whistle was quite quite hallow-sounding and shrill, and had an eerie, haunting, melancholy sound when it was blown.

On the right are the old PRR slips at Cortlandt St. (they had been stripped of their ornamental copper facades by this time); PRR boats stopped running into this terminal in 1949 (this photo was clearly taken during an off-peak hour; during rush hours, both of the "ELIZABETH's" decks would be jammed with suburban commuters, heading for the waiting trains at Jersey City)

However, during the 1950's, the NYC (West Shore) moved out of its old terminal at Cortland St., and began using the old PRR slips.

Of course, none of the NYC boats could use the old upper deck loading ramps at the former PRR terminal.

This entire area now is totally filled in, replaced by the towers and other buildings of Battery Park City (demolition of the CNJ's majestic and lofty Liberty St. terminal began the day after ferry service from Jersey City was shut down)

This elegant, echoing structure was copper clad, and featured a two-story high main waiting room, with oak and marble trim and Tiffany skylights......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?142344

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's a timeless view (1965) of the E-L ferry slips at Hoboken; clearly, this photo was taken during a rush hour, when several boats would have been in use, shuttling between Hoboken and Barclay St.

The "BINGHAMTON" (ex-DL&W) is near the center of the photo; the ferry on the right is the "MAPLEWOOD" (she was the ex-ERIE "MEADVILLE)

The "MAPLEWOOD" was retired in late 1965, as she was more expensive to operate than the older ex-DL&W boats; at the time, she was only in use during the rush hours.

How clearly such classic scenes are still etched in my mind's eye today........

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/frt/el-freldg-ajh.jpg

(courtesy: fallenflags.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

On a sunny day in 1974, we see the last two E-L tugboats docked at Hoboken terminal (How often Mom and I sat on the adjacent bulkhead and happily "lunched with the tugboats", in my much younger days!)

When this photo was snapped, tt would not be long before the remaining E-L tug/barge operations would be shutting down; the dawn of the ConRail era was then hovering on the horizon.

The pier on the right once held offices for the tug and ferry dispatchers; this pier structure was long ago demolished and is only a memory today........

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/frt/erie-pc-tugmar-arp.jpg

(courtesy: fallenflags.org)


Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:31 pm; edited 1 time in total
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here is another photo that is both timeless and poignant......

This photo was snapped at Hoboken in 1971; two E-L covered barges are moored, waiting to be loaded (note the barge on the right still lettered for the "ERIE")

Also, note the majestic Twin Towers (RIP), under construction in lower Manhattan.

Today, the old barges and the adjacent pier, like the Twin Towers, are only memories......

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/frt/el-barge-h.jpg

(courtesy: fallenflags.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A truly timeless and classic harbor scene, dating back to 1963 (note those classic "Fallen Flags" boxcars riding the float!) Very Happy

How we all took such once-commonplace for granted........

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/frt/el-car-float.jpg

(courtesy: fallenflags.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's another photo (also dating to 1963) that still lives on in my memories.....

The graceful ferryboat "POCONO", seen hear loading at Barclay St., will shortly pull out of her slip, and head across the Hudson to Hoboken.

Note the sign on the river facade of the terminal, reading "LACKAWANNA-ERIE"; in the mid-50's, when the ERIE began shifting its trains up to Hoboken, the word "RAILROAD" was painted over and "ERIE" was added.

To the left of the ferryboat is the "WORLD TELEGRAM" building: its huge electric sign was a familiar beacon to many ferry commuters for a good many years.

In later years, the steel framework for this sign remained in place.

This entire area is now long-since filled in; no trace remains of the Barclay St. terminal and adjacent piers.......

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/frt/el-ferpoc-ajh.jpg

(courtesy: fallenflags.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here, the E-L's lone diesel ferry, "LACKAWANNA" (dieselized 1949, and nicknamed "Whining Willy" by commuters and crew) is seen about 1966, making a rush hour run to Barclay Street, on what was obviously a bright, brisk morning!

Also, note the ancient and decrepit railroad piers and other structures on the Jersey City shoreline (all are now long, long gone)........

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/frt/el-lack-bjh.jpg

(courtesy: fallenflags.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 11:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Erie-Lackawanna's Hoboken terminal, Summer, 1967.

Ferry service to Barclay Street was then living on borrowed time; the line would be shut down that November.

In this photo, we see one of the ferries awaiting her next crossing to lower Manhattan; you can also just make out a smoking tug as well, if you look closely.

Note the large number of through cars on the pier; by this late date, there were few long-distance trains left on the E-L, so there was quite an abundance of surplus equipment at Hoboken back then.

In later years, especially, OOS and bad order equipment was stored on this pier.

The pier structure alongside the ferryboat (then being used by the tug/ferrymasters) also no longer exists.

I can still see scenes like this clearly in my memories........

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/bldg/el-pier-ah.jpg

(courtesy: fallenflags.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 9:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In 1955, the DL&W's "SCRANTON"*, ablaze with light, is seen at the Hoboken Terminal.......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?142365

This graceful, stately coal-fired ferry ran until 1967, when she and her sisters were retired; in November of that year, the E-L shut down the Barclay St. crossing, the very last ferry operation on the Hudson.

When the Barclay St. ferry shut down, only two boats remained in service; the "LACKAWANNA" and the "ELMIRA" (the other boats had been retired not long before)

On New Year's Day in 1968, the "SCRANTON" broke loose from her moorings at Hoboken during a storm, and sank not far offshore.

Only her forward pilothouse and stack were visible above the surface of the murky waters.

Declared a menace to navigation, she was soon partially dismantled on site; her remains, when refloated, were towed to Jersey City for scrapping.

A sad end for a grand old vessel, one that I remember well as a youngster.

Her sisters were:

"ELIMRA"

"BINGHAMTON"

"POCONO"

"ITHACA"**

*I was but 11 when the "SCRANTON" sank; her photo was on the front pages of the "HUDSON DISPATCH" (long defunct") and the "JERSEY JOURNAL" (Hudson County's last daily)

I still remember a little "ditty" I made up at the time, to the tune of "On Top Of Old Smokey":

"On top of the Hudson, all covered with grease,

They lost the poor 'Scranton' when she sprung a leak....."

(Hey, I was only 11 at the time!)

** The "ITHACA", one of the "Barclay Class" boats, was destroyed by fire in 1946, while she was in drydock at the DL&W's Staten Island marine yard.

"NYO"
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 11:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

These 1967-vintage photos depict the riverfront facade of the E-L terminal Hoboken, and adjacent piers.

The personal comments on each page (from 2014) were courtesy of Your's Truly....... Wink

http://www.godfatherrails.com/photos/pv.asp?pid=2381

http://www.godfatherrails.com/photos/pv.asp?pid=2384

http://www.godfatherrails.com/photos/pv.asp?pid=2387

(courtesy: godfatherrails.com)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 10, 2020 11:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Another aspect of "downsizing" regarding the railroads serving the Hudson County waterfront areas was the eventual demise of all railroad-owned "navies".

Even after the railroads abandoned their commuter/vehicular ferries, the waterborne freight operations continued, albiet, by this time, not long for the world.

With the P-C merger in 1968, the stalwart fleet of ancient NYC steam tugs vanished; the E-L and CNJ tug fleets also, began to diminish, as more and more carfloat and lighterage traffic disappeared.

In 1973, the CNJ (whose once-proud tug fleet was down to only two boats by this late date) handed over its remaining carfloat traffic to the LV; the LV tug fleet, by now, was reduced to only one boat.

ConRail ended virtually all remaining rail-marine remaining traffic in 1976; however, the B&O, after a fashion, still operated carfloats out of St. George until the early 1980's.

With liners/cruise ships now able to dock/depart without the aid of tugs, the number of tugs in NY Harbor, today, is miniscule, at best......especially what it was some 60-odd years ago.

Too, recall just how vital tugs were to the many freighters that docked in NY Harbor, so many years ago.

Also, look at how many private tugboat companies have long since vanished..........thankfully, Your's Truly has many wonderful, happy memories of the "Day Of The Tugboat" in NY Harbor......... Wink

"NYO"
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