BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS/COMMENTS)

Recall how the original multiple-unit "METROLINERS" were to compete with the (air) shuttles, between New York and DC,in the late 1960s?

Here's an excellent page (with many nostalgic photos) of these sleek.speedy, once "state-of-the-art", high-speed electrics..........

https://passengertrainjournal.com/the-metroliners/

["800"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Hard to believe that AMTRAK is now on the second generation of ACELA; the overall design of these trains remind me of the European "TGVs" of several decades past........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avelia_Liberty

["TRACKS ARE BACK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Excellent, well-illustrated article on the early days of AMTRAK in the Summer, 2011 issue of "CLASSIC TRAINS", by Bruce Goldberg, "GROWING UP WITH AMTRAK".

Recall, the all-Tuscan, all-Pullman 'BROADWAY LIMITED", the one-time pride of the mighty Pennsy; a 1972 photo carrying two unrepainted ex-UP sleepers, with a (repainted) ex-B&O sleeper-lounge ("DANA") at the tail (sure would make for a neat train to replicate in HO!)

Another interesting 1972 photo shows the New York-K.C. "NATIONAL LIMITED", headed by MoPac "E-8s", and carrying (unrepainted) MoPac and UP cars.

Talk about "diversity"!

Well-written feature with some really nostalgic photos........

"NYO"

["ELECTRO-MOTIVE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"Rainbow trains" in New Jersey..........

Back in the early/mid-1970s, the CNJ purchased a number of streamline through cars for commuter service.

These cars came from the KCS, GN, BN, and MoPac; there were also ex-SF fluted side coaches (purchased by the NJDOT for the E-L, in the later 1960s)

Also, and ec-FEC observation, used on certain North Jersey Coast trains.

The seating layout was changed to accomodate heavy wush hour loads.

Though commuters indeed appreciated the a/c during the summer, the cars were not all that popular popular with commuters, nor conductors.

As these were former through-lone cars, there was only one vestibule entrance per car.

This, of course, increased dwell times at stations, NOT at all welcome during rush hours.

The New Jersey railfans of that era dubbed these colorful consists "Jersey Builders".............

"NYO"

["5:20 BAY HEAD HCT."[

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

'Jersey Builder" memories.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?53576

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?36727

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["NY&LB"]

[Cyberider]

So, these were the predecessors to today's NJT trains?

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

When the CNJ closed its Jersey City ferry terminalin 1967, a new coach yard was built to store equipment at Harrison, partially on th esite of the old Manhattan Transfer (closed 1937)

The vast Jersey City coach yards, which stretched for nearly a mile west from the ferry terminal, were replaced by the small yard at Harrison; when the Aldene Plan went into effect, the CNJ sold off at least 50-60% of its commuter coach fleet (all heavyweights) ;all combines were retired with the implementation of Aldene.

A number of CNJ services were curtailed/abandoned with Aldene; this was a short-sighted, foolish measure whose fallout is still felt today, 59 years later..

Here are a few post-1967 photos of CNJ commuter trains at Harrison (all CNJ trains were push-pull, after service to Jersey City was abandoned).........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?37326

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?36726

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?36733

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["JERSEY CENTRAL LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

When the Aldene Plan shuttered the CNJ's Jersey City ferry terminal in 1967, the "F-7s" that hauled RDG's "WALL STREET" and "CRUSADER" from Philadelphia no longer could be turned/serviced at the CNJ's Communipaw (Jersey City) engine terminal.

These conventional trains were replaced by RDCs ;the former baggage compartments of the "RDC-2s" became snack bar facilities.

Both trains were eliminated in the early 1980s........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?43706

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["READING COMPANY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

As AMTRAK purchased new electrics during the 1980s, the bulky "E-60s" gravitated to NJT; these big engines were commonplace on the NJCL (Seashore) trains, terminating at Long Branch (the southernmost limit of the NJCL's electrification.

I well remember "E-60" still wearing AMTRAK paint, hauling NJCL (North Jersey Coast Line) trains, before they were repainted, many years ago.

This photo shows an "E-60s" at Harrison, while still in AMTRAK service.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?37287

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

['"TRACKS ARE BACK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

NJT's wide-radius "balloon loop" at Bay Head and inner yard tracks, were used by the CNJ and the PRR (later P-C)

By the time of this1 975 photo, the CNJ trains only went as far east as Newark (service to Jersey City ended in 1967)

The PRR/P-C trains ran into Manhattan (stopping at Newark), with diesel engines being swapped for electrics at South Amboy......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?49791

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["CNJ"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In this busy "action" photo (taken at Harrison) we see two "METROLINERS" passing one another; Penn Station (Newark) is just out of the photo, in the left background.

Note PATH's (H&M) New York-bound platform on the extreme left........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?36702

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["METROLINER"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Ex-AMTRAK "E-60s" replaced the several remaining veteran "GG-1s" on the NJCL in 1983, hauling shore trains (NY&LB) between New York and South Amboy.

Electric engines (and the MUs that once ran on the South Amboy locals) were stored between runs in the now-closed "motor yard" at South Amboy.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?36760

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

[Cyberider]

Thanks for the interesting progression of equipment and operators of these lines. I like the RDC's. Did you ride those? If so, how noisy were the engines?

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]