(erielack) Sussex Branch Trail

[Dave Rutan <rutan3_@_nac.net>]

> 
> >From Archives_@_Railfan.net
> Message-ID: <20041101193015.22110.qmail_@_web41105.mail.yahoo.com>
> In-Reply-To: <20041101171036.32655.qmail_@_web54706.mail.yahoo.com>
> Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 11:30:15 -0800 (PST)
> From: "Gary R. Kazin" <gkazin_@_yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: (erielack) Rails to Bike Trails
> 
> > I am planning on exploring the DL&W Sussex Branch which is a
> > known Rail Trail, also I would like to cover the former Erie Mainline
> > including the Piermont Branch... are they converted Rail Trails yet?
> 
> The Sussex Branch is NJ property, administered out of Kittatinny State
> Park, which is also responsible for the Paulinskill Valley Trail.  I was
> on the south end yesterday up to Andover.  It's about 45 minutes from the
> Waterloo road parking area to Andover, and better to go from the south due
> to grades...  It's nice and wide, well used, as far as Cranberry Lake.  It
> is narrower and much less used to the north.  Surface is rough in spots,
> with remaining ballast and some rocks sticking up to throw the unwary.

Actually, the Sussex Branch trail (I've recently discovered,) is under
the auspices of 2 bodies.  Cranberry Lake - south is in the Allamuchy
State Park, North of Cranberry Lake is Kittatinny Valley State Park.

> 
> There are three washouts, one minor north of Cranberry Lake (though the
> trail is often flooded), one major just south of the 'hole in the wall'
> underpass (nearly severing the embankment), and one partial washout south
> of the US 206 underpass on the way into Branchville.  There is also a
> missing bridge north of Newton - take off your shoes and socks and carry
> the bike; water is about a foot deep.

The 1 mile section through Newton (roughly from Hicks Avenue to the
missing trestle,) is owned by the town of Newton and not part of the
state park.  At Hicks Avenue there is a sign directing one on a detour
to skip the town.  

Funny how the beginning becomes the end. Billy Bells extension of the
railroad to Branchville followed about the same route. The straightaway
on Hicks Ave. actually runs on the old railroad bed.

> 
> Yes, I've covered the whole trail in several rides.  The part through the
> Free Trade Zone goes over the 'virgin bridge' over US 206, which was built
> after the line had closed and a bit farther.  Some of the line into the
> Netcong station area appears to be private property, and other parts are
> fenced...

The Sussex Branch Trail stops at Waterloo Road.  South of there (just
over the bridge at Possum's dip') Morris County starts and the property
of the Erie Lackawanna is no longer contiguous. The has been some
thought of extending the trail either into Waterloo Village, via the
original leg, or towards Stanhope via Continental Drive.  Just after the
Virgin bridge, one could connect with the Morris Canal towpath and enter Stanhope.

The fill has been removed along Love Lane and the only real 'bones' are
the Virgin bridge, and one cut stone abutment by the cemetery.  

Dave
- -- 
150 Years - 1854-2004
The First Railroad in Sussex County New Jersey
http://DLW-SussexBranch.com
Monomania can be a good thing

------------------------------