TRACKS ALONG LAUREL AVE

[TIGERFRED]

Hi-

Any idea when these tracks were last used? I believe they have been ripped up by now!

[thebigham]

Laurel Ave, where??

[TIGERFRED]

Roselle Park

[AndyB]

I believe tigerfred is asking about the RVRR branch that went to the Lehigh Valley connection. The track ran parallel to Laurel Ave. from Colfax Ave. to L.V. ROW. Sorry do not know when it went out of service, but there are still signs posted "State Property" along the ROW

[TIGERFRED]

Those are the tracks! Is this branch part of what will be reactivated?

Thanx,

Fred

[AndyB]

Negative, the right of way that will be used will connect with NJT (ex-CNJ)tracks near NJT Aldene connection.
Try this link to Local Live Aeriel Maps. Should show ROW at Cofax and Laurel between houses on Laurel and school running track. Then follow ROW to connections.
http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2& ... &encType=1

[GOLDEN-ARM]

The tracks in question were last used in late 1989, early 1990. We made several interchanges there, only when the rail to the CNJ connection was out of service, due to derailments. It would have been the preferred route, with new ties, heavy rail, and a straighter run, but the need to cross over to the SIRY closed the deal, and made the LVRR connection available to build houses along, and once it was done, the connection was lost, forever. People actually planted gardens, and had lawns constructed across the rails, going to Excee. They used to get so pissed, at us, for running our trains, through "their" property. We used to dump "sno-melt", or rock salt, onto the ROW in question, to kill the grass and gardens, and to make the soil unsuitable for replanting..........

[james1787]

People actually planted gardens, and had lawns constructed across the rails, going to Excee. They used to get so pissed, at us, for running our trains, through "their" property. We used to dump "sno-melt", or rock salt, onto the ROW in question, to kill the grass and gardens, and to make the soil unsuitable for replanting..........

Hah, that's awesome. Best part is there's not a thing they could do about it. I can imagine the look on their faces as you cleared out "their" property! Priceless..

We kind of had the same thing with Fire Hydrants in our town. Some people hate them being on their yard. They think they are 'ugly' They'll go out of their way to plant things around them - bushes, trees.. let things over grow around them. Usually we'll notify the town and the DPW will take care of it but if we see it's an immediate danger to others seeing it would take a great deal of effort in the event of the fire - out comes the chainsaw / cutters / whatever to get those connections and the area around the hydrant cleared out. Usually there is a smile on our faces and there isn't a darn thing the homeowner can do about it. Stupid people.

[CJPat]

I like the Roman approach to sow the earth with salt so nothing will grow there. A very powerful statement.

[TIGERFRED]

Thanx for the update!!