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  • Discussion of the historical operations related to the Central Railroad of New Jersey; Lehigh & Hudson River; Lehigh & New England; Lehigh Valley; and the Reading Company. Visit the Anthracite Railroads Historical Society for more information.
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Remnants of the CNJ along the Lehigh Gorge

Discussion of the historical operations related to the Central Railroad of New Jersey; Lehigh & Hudson River; Lehigh & New England; Lehigh Valley; and the Reading Company. Visit the Anthracite Railroads Historical Society for more information.

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Remnants of the CNJ along the Lehigh Gorge

  by OCtrainguy
 
My family and I took a trip up to Jim Thorpe on Saturday, October 22nd, and the weather was damp and rainy. However, it did not have much of an impact on our fun. We pulled into the parking lot in Jim Thorpe just as the R&N train from Port Clinton pulled in with about fifteen coaches. The train was a complete sellout.

I was unable to get any photos, but my son did. Even though he's almost seven, he was getting to "hands on" with my cameras, so we got him one. Anyway, we photographed the regularly scheduled Lehigh Gorge trains at the station before breaking for lunch. We did see the Port Clinton train leaving Jim Thorpe, photographing it as it approached the Route 903 overpass. We also photographed the Lehigh Gorge train returning to Jim Thorpe as it passed some of the cabooses there. I haven't been able to scan those yet.

However, we did some exploring on Saturday, getting some ideas for photo spots for our return on Sunday. (My wife's suggestion as the weather on Sunday was better than Saturday's weather). We walked inside the old CNJ tunnel at Glen Onoko. The two rows of ties are still in play as are many spike plates. From inside the tunnel, I snapped this photograph of the bridge supports as the bridge crossed the Lehigh River.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/704 ... 9536QPdhhC

Outside of the tunnel, some of the rail lay where it was dropped when the tracks were removed.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/704 ... 9937jQFaGQ

A view of the tunnel from the bridge leading to the parking area.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/704 ... 9316JWUdRv

On Sunday, we rode the first train, which was very crowded before photographing the others. Part of my focus was seeing what else may remain from the CNJ. We took a short walk, but wasn't disappointed. First, we saw an old CNJ signal stand.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/704 ... 4504jdqOgV

Next, were four concrete bases. Not sure what kind of signalling they were for, as we weren't to far from the other signal.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/704 ... 7659utHOlO

Last, but certainly not least, was this old mile marker.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/704 ... 9078KlFDEa

We walked up to the current R&N/NS signal before walking back. Had a great time taking in the river, foliage, trains and historical aspects of the CNJ. Hope to bring the bikes next year and explore a little further.

  by 56-57
 
OC,

nice pix!! i didn't even know there was any rail left around the tunnel, and i live here!! those four concrete pads were for a propane tank, for the switch heaters that were at the interlocking... (you were at Hetchel if ya didn't already know)

from the truss bridge at coalport the access road is on another CNJ right of way. for only a few yards tho. if you took notice there's some stone work and a ramp going up the hillside, on the right side of the road, just before you pass the new R&N line. that's where the CNJ originally had their turntable at. while the enginehouse was across the river, the turtable was at coalport, and the pit is still there. the same turntable bridge that's in thorpe now was at coalport until 1945 or so, when the CNJ relocated it...

that's all folks...

micah
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