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Message |
    
extuscan
Citizen
Username: Extuscan
Post Number: 425
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 8:55 pm: |     |
Check out this picture... it is from 1971. Notice CHS in the background. Notice the tracks and cantery (sp?) coming towards you...
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extuscan
Citizen
Username: Extuscan
Post Number: 426
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 8:59 pm: | |
Now in this Keyhole picture, there are no tracks coming off the main line.
Is this where the baseball fields are now?
I remember seeing a very old map of Maplewood/SO and there was a small rail yard with a roundhouse on it (no, not the map on ebay all the time) in about this location... I just didn't realize there were tracks still there (kinda) as late as 1971.
When was the little rail yard converted to sportsfields?
---John |
us2inFL
Citizen
Username: Us2innj
Post Number: 1231
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 11:15 pm: | |
We lived at 26 Maplewood Avenue. Although we were several hundred feet from the tracks, there was a noticable clip clop when a westbound train on track one passed the soccer field. When I walked the tracks to see what was causing it, I saw there is a switch on the number one track that leads off to a fourth track siding about 500 feet long. |
extuscan
Citizen
Username: Extuscan
Post Number: 427
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 11:53 pm: | |
A siding track might be there or have been there at some point, but its not in the keyhole picture now...
And in picture #1 there are FOUR (two "active" and two "abandoned") lines coming off the main line.
But does anyone remember where these four tracks went? Was the railyard I saw on the old maps at Chyzowitz (sp?lol) Field or at the baseball fields in SO?
This picture was listed as being from South Orange, but several other pictures were also listed as being from South Orange but weren't judging by the church steeples.
John
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Bobkat
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7569
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 7:20 am: | |
There used to be a rail yard where New Waterlands park is now located. The tracks ran all the way to South Orange Avenue. Before the NJ Transit lot was built you could see some indications that this was the case from the train. The picture you posted of the old MU train and the siding would be about in the correct location for the entrance to the "yard".
A guy named Ken used to post old time railroad photos and an occasional map. Usually just mentioning his name would get you a picture or two , but that hasn't been working recently. 
John, where did you find the 1971 picture? |
ken (the other one)
Citizen
Username: Ken
Post Number: 228
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 7:46 am: | |
The tracks in question were part of a 'coach' yard, which held the commuter cars overnight till use in the morning. The tracks didn't go anywhere, they just were part of a storage yard. The Waterlands Field is where the the coach yard used to be.
Here is a photo of the yard in 1915.
The tracks were used up to 1966. I remember walking through the yard as late as 1976 and the ties were still in the ground. The tower, which was behind the Pathmark, was torn down around the same time. The foundation can still be found behind the Pathmark.
The land was sold to South Orange around 1980 and the fields were done around 1981.
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ken (the other one)
Citizen
Username: Ken
Post Number: 229
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 7:58 am: | |
There was another siding that started right before the Third St bridge (by the First Aid Squad) on the west side that led to where the Townhouses are. That's why there are two overpasses on Third Street. There was a coal tower and lumber yard there. Before Sickley Brothers sold and the commuter lot was built, you could walk in the back and see the old track abutments.
I have more photos somewhere and I'll post them when I find them! |
extuscan
Citizen
Username: Extuscan
Post Number: 428
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 12:29 pm: | |
Ken--- I love this stuff--- any good local train pictures you find, I want to see
Bobkat--- the 1971 picture is from http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/mu/mu.html
My next quest is good pictures of Public Service trolleys and late buses... Anyone?
John |
extuscan
Citizen
Username: Extuscan
Post Number: 429
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 12:40 pm: | |
Oh and this might be of interest to nobody, but even after the renovations to the Sickley building in South Orange, there was still a really cool "Lackawanna Anthracite" logo in one fo the windows between the viaducts and the Sickley building. Next time someone is down there, hook into that alley and check if its gone yet ... It was there this summer.
John |
Bobkat
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7594
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 8:45 am: | |
Ken, thanks for getting me straigntened out. I always had thought the rail yard ran all the way to SO Avenue. |
thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 756
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 11:15 am: | |
John, are you referring to the trollies that ran through South Orange? I think one paralleled the main EL line, extending up Meadowbrook, 1-2 blocks east of Ridgewood. (I'm trying to learn more about that trolly line myself.) |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 245
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 11:41 am: | |
As a relative newcomer (1990) I find this stuff very very cool. It helps make geographic sense of the areas by the river.
Trolleys on Meadowbrook? Tell me more!! Is this why Meadowbrook seems wider than other nearby streets? Is this why it extends for another block (from Mountain House to Montrose Ave), even though there are no houses there?
extuscan - Thanks for the link to more pictures. Has the grade of the rail line (or some roads?) been changed since then?
Can anyone suggest a good place to look at old maps and pix? Does the library have an accessible collection?
cheers all
MC |
Bobkat
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7598
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 12:08 pm: | |
Mjc, an easy place to start is here on MOL. There are three collections of old photographs and postcards available under "Images of Maplewood" at the top of the home page. One of the postcard collections is owned by Kathy Levanthal, TC member and sometimes poster here. A lot of the images show buildings that still exist. Many of the homes haven't changed!
In the John Harvey collection there is a picture of "Model Park", that is described as the terminus of the Springfield Avenue trolly. There is a train in the background. Nobody has ever been able to figure out where the picture was taken.
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ken (the other one)
Citizen
Username: Ken
Post Number: 231
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 12:37 pm: | |
Model Park was actually the name of the development off of Millburn Avenue by Cypress. The photo of the train is by Ridgewood Road in Millburn right after the underpass.
In regards to the trolley, it was called the Swamp line. It started in Orange at the Acme Supermarket on Jefferson St, went across Kingsley in west Orange, over to where the CVS is. That was a coach yard, and the line continued along the brook (on the west side) into South Orange. It actually ran down the middle of Meadowbrook Place into Cameron Field, and ended at South Orange Avenue.
Where Quincy's is, was a cable car building for the cable car that went up the mountain to the top at Rock Spring Country Club.
Photos to follow! |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 247
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 4:27 pm: | |
Thanks so much, Ken!
We live on Meadowbrook (Lane) in SO, and the whole lay of the land has seemed strange to me. I like "Swamp Line" too.
You're talking about the CVS by Quincy's, right?
While we're at it: everyone else may know, but (assuming there was a golf course around Baird Center) how much of the park/pool/middle school area was golf course?
cheers -
MC |
extuscan
Citizen
Username: Extuscan
Post Number: 430
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 6:11 pm: | |
"In regards to the trolley, it was called the Swamp line. It started in Orange at the Acme Supermarket on Jefferson St, went across Kingsley in west Orange, over to where the CVS is. That was a coach yard, and the line continued along the brook (on the west side) into South Orange. It actually ran down the middle of Meadowbrook Place into Cameron Field, and ended at South Orange Avenue."
That is a different trolley than the one I'm thinking of????
I was talking about the Trolley that came from Newark along Springfield Avenue, stopped at Olympic Amusement Park, used the current Hilton Bus Terminal as the trolley garage, and turned around at, ofcourse, Nick's Loop Luncheonette. Until Nick's burned thier parking lot was almost entirely cobble stone.
I didn't realize there was a seperate line for South Orange... but then again, I'm from Maplehood.
---John |
thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 757
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 8:44 am: | |
Ken, thanks from me, too, for the info on the Swamp Line. We live on the west side of the brook, and my neighbors tell me that their house once served as a repair facility for the trollies. I've often wondered if there are train tracks under our property! I'm eager to see photos and learn more! |
ken (the other one)
Citizen
Username: Ken
Post Number: 235
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 6:21 pm: | |
The Swamp Line was, I guess, a private line while the Springfield Avenue trolley was the old Public Service (now NJ Transit) |
tabby
Citizen
Username: Tabby
Post Number: 177
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 3:10 am: | |
Wow, guys, all of this is sooo cool! I'm a train fan. When I used to commute to NY by Midtown Direct I was always studying tracks, buildings ,etc. I even got to ride up front with the train engineer once on the ride home (not normally allowed I know) but I kept peeking in through the front door every time the conductor opened it, so he finally said just come in!
BTW on a related subject, does anyone know what that big brick building is that the Midtown goes by on it's way in to NY? It's out in the Meadowlands. Might have been a swtiching station?
tabby |
Bobkat
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7678
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 8:33 am: | |
There is a postcard of downtown South Orange around 1900 posted in the South Orange section of the board. It seems to show trolleys running up South Orange Avenue towards Wyoming.
I wonder how extensive the trolly network was in SO and MW? I suspect there were more lines that we would expect. |
kevin
Supporter
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 427
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 9:41 am: | |
There were trolleys all over the area. The bus is what put them all out of business.
South Orange Ave Trolley tracks
South Orange Trolley
Check out the destination board on this trolley
Trolley to Eagle Rock
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mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 267
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 9:41 am: | |
Bobk, it's my understanding that a trolley ran up SO Ave to Ridgewood and turned around there, and that's why SO Ave is (or was) so wide up to that point. But that may be obvious to all posting here.
Still tickled with the "Swamp Line" along Meadowbrook, and hoping Ken will post more gems.
good sarge - I'm perishing to know which house was a trolley repair facility, but I know it's rude to ask.... If you're on Meadowbrook Lane, maybe we'll meet at the next block party. I'll be wearing gray hair and bringing chili.
happy day, all
MC |
thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 760
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 10:32 am: | |
MC, I private lined you but maybe you didn't get it. Email me at thegoodsgt@aol.com and we'll talk. Since we don't officially live on Meadowbrook, I'm not sure that we're officially invited to your block party! (I promise we'd behave ourselves.) |
kevin
Supporter
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 428
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 10:08 am: | |
Tabby,
RE: BTW on a related subject, does anyone know what that big brick building is that the Midtown goes by on it's way in to NY? It's out in the Meadowlands. Might have been a swtiching station?
Are you referring the building that is right after the tracks split for the Hoboken and NY tracks? The building is an old Pennsylvania Railroad Substation - probably for power distribution before the rails were converted from 3,000 VDC to 25,000 VAC in the 80s. I believe that new substation is a bit further East, right on the lake.
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tabby
Citizen
Username: Tabby
Post Number: 179
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 7:32 pm: | |
Thanks Kevin, yes, that's it. It's the building that the Midtown passes on that low embankment. You can see it out the right side windows. It looks so cool, I always wondered what was behind those big wooden doors. Too bad NJT can't find some use for it now. |
Bobkat
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7716
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 4:45 am: | |
I am not familar with the building mentioned here. However, DC power can't be transmitted long distances, which is the case with AC power.
Thomas Ediston advocated DC power primarily because it was safer. George Westinghouse advocated AC power and won the battle. One of Edisons ploys was an ad when the electric chair came into use emphasing that it would only work with AC power. Maybe Edison was anti-death penalty? |
tabby
Citizen
Username: Tabby
Post Number: 181
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 10:01 pm: | |
Fellow train enthusiasts, have you ever thought about how cool it would be to get a tour of the control room at Penn NY or Penn NJ??( recent article said the controls and the big electric board that shows where all the trains are at Penn Newark dates back to the 1930's or 40s. )
There are tours of Grand Central that take you into the inner workings of Metro North.
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7792
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 4:31 am: | |
I haven't looked into it, but there is some vintage railroad rolling stock at Hoboken this week, including a 1950s GE diesel engine in the livery of the Erie and Lackawanna. I imagine there is going to be some sort of nostalgia train exhibition there soon. |
kevin
Supporter
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 430
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 10:55 am: | |
There were a few vintage cars on the tracks in Harrison today.
This engine sat at Hoboken station for years:
http://www.urhs.org/pictures/prr_4877.jpg
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7798
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 11:09 am: | |
I remember it. It is a GG-1 that is very much a classic from the 1930s. I think it was restored eventually in the shop building at Hoboken.
I had a customer in South Jersey who was a real train buff, both life size and models. His office walls were covered with train memorabilia and models. When I told him about that engine I think he went up to Hoboken the next day. |
filmboy
Citizen
Username: Filmboy
Post Number: 62
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 1:50 pm: | |
Tabby -
A friend used to work for Amtrak. First in a switch room deep in the bowels of Penn Station. At that time they used ancient (but very ornate and cool!) equipment to manually move switches under the station. They had these large wooden levers with lights that indicated the switch location, number and position. More recently, Amtrak built a new master control across from the post office on 9th and 31st.. Inside, the controllers manage all the traffic into Penn for Amtrak and NJT. It was mainly a big room, big electronic board and a lot of bored looking middle aged guys sitting at pc's with headset on.
Cool still...but not as interesting. |
kevin
Supporter
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 431
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 6:55 pm: | |
Bob,
Here is a photo of what the #4877 GG-1 used to look like while sitting at the Hoboken station:
http://www.steamlocomotive.com/GG1/prr4877.jpg
Supposedly it's now at a yard in Morristown, still deteriorating:
http://www.steamlocomotive.com/GG1/
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7814
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 5, 2005 - 9:13 am: | |
I guess what I saw was the repainting and I thought the work was more extensive. I will have to take a run out to Morristown someday and take a look.
Thanks. |
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