(erielack) NY Trip

["MONTGOMERY| ED" <emontgom_@_LAN.TJHSST.EDU>]

Last week I had to make a trip up to the homeland of Wayne, NJ.  I 
did make a trip into New York over the EL -- Yeah, I still call it that.  
Just to give you and idea that I am from the dark ages, the $7.50 
ticket is a bit steep for my memories.  I remember when EL got the 
approval to move the round-trip to $2.04 and I thought that was a lot.

A couple things I noticed:  The team track sideing has been rebuilt 
at Little Falls.  This is the track where Beattie used to load carpets 
at.  It has not been used for decades and now it is rebuilt.  I'm 
wondering what NJT's Plans are for it.  I doubt there is any freight 
client coming along.

The siding just east of the Peckman River bridge -- is that the only 
freight customer between Little Falls and Hoboken left?

Rolling through Great Notch, I was amazed to see how much work 
has taken place.  I noticed a lot of parking places at the Notch curve 
and east of it along with a substantial building.  Is NJT moving the 
Great Notch station?  If so, it will be rather close to Montclair 
Heights.  

I suppose that will be my last trip on the line east of Walnut street.  
NJT seems to like the concrete ties at the new connection.  I didn't 
realize such a significant cut had to be made to connect the two 
lines.

What is going to happen to the existing Greenwood Lake line from 
Walnut Street to Hoboken?  There's not a whole lot of need for it 
aside from some passengers.  The tracks leading to the Orange 
Branch were shiny.  There must be some freight activity there.  
Crossing the Passaic River, I was wondering if there is any more 
river traffic requiring that bridge to be swung open?  The wood 
racks are in terrible shape, rotted away.  The Hackensack River 
bridge seems to have more river activity around it.  Is there any 
freight traffic on the east end of the Newark Branch requiring that to 
remain in place?

Hoboken sure looks different with the MU shed down.  That building 
appear much more substantial than it appeared.  There were some 
rather large steel girders supporting it.  I noticed the area where the 
turntable was is completely different as well.

The ferry building still needs a lot of help.  Are there any plans to 
start running New York Waterway in to that location.

I was on the ferry.  These things are toys compared to the 
"Scranton-Class" Lackawanna boats.  They hardly rocked.  New 
York Waterway probably crosses the river in less than half the time 
but they lack the character of the "real boats".

Ed Montgomery
 

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