From: brennan@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Joseph Brennan)
Subject: Re: NJ Transit : Projects and a request
Reply-To: brennan@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Joseph Brennan)
Organization: Columbia University
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 20:22:23 GMT

In article <22803@galaxy.ucr.edu> santafe@watnxt10.ucr.edu (michael a
parisi) writes:

All I can tell you is what's talked about.  No construction is
underway on any of these projects, nor are they funded, as far as I
know.  I get the NJ Assoc of Railroad Passengers newsletter.

>number of planned projects such as the "Reverse Kearny Connection"
>which will enable trains from the former DL&W lines to connect
>with the NEC and travel directly to Penn Station in NYC.  Also:

There is something holding this up.  No work has been done yet.  Also,
dual-voltage equipment will be needed; looks like they will follow
recent Philadelphia practice and go for push-pull electric locomotive
sets instead of MUs.

The Waterfront Connection is in use, for diesel trains from Hoboken to
Bay Head and one run to Trenton.

>       -Extension of the Boonton Line to Hackettstown

Been talked about, no funding or date set.  The track is in place and
this would require the least preparation of any of the things in this
list.  Might go on to Washington NJ too.

>       -A Secaucus transfer station.  This will allow riders
>        of the Main/Bergen Co. and Pascack Valley lines to transfer
>        to NEC trains.

Called Allied Junction, to be funded part by a for-profit company
owned by Allied Industries (some conglomerate).  The economy is hurting
that, I think.  Nothing done.

>       -Restoration of service on the West Shore Line (is this a
>        former NYCRR route?)

Also just talk.  Terminal may be Allied Junction or possibly Hoboken
via Allied Junction.  This was indeed ex-NY Central.  MTA cooperation
would this project a lot, because it runs through a good part of
Rockland County NY and would generate probably as much passengers
there as in New Jersey.  This was a busy line under NYC and was
abandoned (1957) for passengers mainly because of the expense of the
ferry service (Weehawken--42d St).  Now known as ConRail's River Line,
a freight main line.  4 track right-of-way to Dumont NJ.  

>       -Abandonment of the Boonton Line between Hoboken and Montclair.
>        However, a connection to the Boonton Line will be built from
>        the Montclair Branch line.

Recently talked about here!  No work being done.

>Can someone tell me what else is being planned?

-- Hudson waterfront LRV line is going through the gauntlet of
approvals.  Last plan has it starting in Bayonne, running up the
ex-CNJ line to Liberty State Park, route unclear to me through old
city area near Exchange Place, some path through Newport Center, past
Hoboken Terminal, somehow through Hoboken, via ex-rail land in
Weehawken, through the West Shore tunnel, and to a lot near the
turnpike in Ridgefield (Bergen County).  Big parking lots near both
ends.  Some street running is possible.  Some political interests are
still pushing busways so this one is not certain yet.  Nonetheless it
is making its way through the approval process.  Most local Hudson
County groups are in favor of it.

-- North end of Pascack Valley line may be moved because of complaints
about the Woodbine Yard in Spring Valley.  Plans include: cutback to
Nanuet; extension north via abandoned line to Theills; extension west
via abandoned line to Suffern to NJT yard there (on Erie Main Line).

-- Route being discussed branching off North Jersey Coast at Matawan
using existing and abandoned rail routes, via Freehold and
Farmingdale to Lakewood.

-- Possible Amtrak line via ex-Lehigh Valley and Reading lines; via
NJT Raritan Valley line to Bound Brook, then LV to Allentown, RDG to
Reading and Harrisburg.  Not really NJT but sort of local.

-- Boonton service to northwest is being pushed by Sussex County NJ
and Pocono area PA interests: via abandoned Lackawanna cutoff to PA
for example.  Even stranger, service via Susquehanna railroad to
Sussex County NJ has been discussed and not rejected by the NYS&W
company, and a train was run for officials.  Could branch off the Erie
Main north of Paterson.


--Joe Brennan

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