The cost proved to be too prohibitive for the State, and Conrail got the nod. Conrail also readied a small fleet of former Pennsylvania Railroad ore jennies to carry the dirt. The first run took place in late 1994. Scheduling for the trains is extremely tight. Due to contractual obligations, Conrail is required to have the loaded cars in Jersey City by the start of the next work day.
Current schedules have the train running five days of the week.
The fifth run usually occurs on Sunday afternoons, and it is this run that draws fans by the dozens. This writer decided to take in the dirt train one beautiful Sunday afternoon. The engines slowly made their way across the man-made fill towards the cars. For now, a standard construction-style air compressor is located nearby to perform this duty. The unit then runs light to meet the rest of the loaded train.