BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POST)

CNJ's most unusual RDC train.......

This was, of course, the "Sputnik Train", so dubbed by CNJ crews.

The CNJ experimented with having an arch-roof heavyweight coach splced into an otherwise all RDC consist.

it was not long before this unusual consist was no longer to be seen; seems that , as the CNJ adapted the RDCs to run with a conventional coach, BUDD was nOT happy...... they were VERY strict when it came to any company "tinkering" with their equipment!

Sadly, I never saw (or rode) this most unusual train, but I have seen a few photos, over the years.........

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is VERY rare photo, one I had not seen previously (1968).......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?67848

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

Bu 1968, The year after the CNJ abandoned passenger service to the Jersey City ferry terminal, the company's sprawling Communipaw Engine terminal (Jersey City) was only used by freight power, which also included power from the RDG, B&O/C&O, and N&W (it was closed entirely in 1973); the Liberty Science Center now sits directly on the site.

Here we see an ex-LIRR "RDC-2" at the Commiunipaw engine terminal' this photo, is even to me, is a mystery, as the CNJ never operated "RDC-2".

Perhaps this car sold to the RDG for further service, or, used for parts by the CNJ, to keep their own RDC fleet running........

"NYO"

["BUDD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another rare photo, this one taken at West Trenton (NJ) in 1981........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?159531

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

Here we see a ConRail train, made up of ex-CNJ heavyweights, operating on the remnants of what had been the RDG's "CRUSADER" and "WALL STREET", after RDC consists were retired.

As push-pull commuter trains were needed after the Jersey City terminal closed in 1967 (and no turning facilities abailable at Newark) the CNJ, in late 1966, converted several arch-roof heavyweights into cab cars, which served until the early 1980s.

These cars were adapted from a RDG design of about 1930; this was when the CNJ was thinking about electrifying their commuter runs out of Jersey City (of course, this grand plan never came to pass)

Local railfans of that era referred to these Newark-Philadelphia trains as the "WALLSADER".........

"NYO"

["4:45 PHILADELPHIA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In this 1970 photo, under the PRR (P-C by this late date) catenary at Harrison, we see a two car set of CNJ "RDCs"; this train was, most likely, an off-peak Raritan local, out of Newark.

The cars still sport their original "JERSEY CENTRAL LINES" lettering and Statue of Liberty heralds.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?36743

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["CRRofNJ"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Back in 1975, we see a CNJ (North Jersey Coast Line/NY&LB) train, with a consist consisting of a Geep, an ex-GN coach and several ex-"AT&SF" cars, which had formerly operated on the E-L out of Hoboken, beginning in the late 1960s...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?49797

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["5:05 BAY HEAD JCT."]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Throughout their hard-working years with AMTRAK, the legendary and timeless "GG-1s" wore varied paint schemes, some depicted here, in these 1970s, photos taken at Elizabeth (NEC).........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?49794

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?49800

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?37284

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["AMTRAK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

One of the most unusual "tasks" ever assigned to a "GG-1" was back in 1965, when one hauled several new PATH (H&M tubes) "PA" cars for high-speed testing, on LIRR trackage (I rode the original "PA" cars for many years, back in the day!)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?21780

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

['PORT AUTHORITY TRANS-HUDSON"]