Newark Airport spur?

[frankgaron2]

Hi all:

Have a question about a spur that would've run through what is now Newark airport. Please see the attached maps for the line in question.

What I'm wondering is what was this line used for? There appears to be some sort of yard midway on the route. You can also see some sidings that ended just a block east of Route one and nine right near North Avenue.

Also is there any chance that this line at one point connected with the trackage that runs off the north side of Elizabethport yard and goes past Wakefern food warehouse and crosses division Street? It looks like some of the roadbed is still traceable on the Google Earth pictures that I attached. Would love to know more about this line, its history and when it was abandoned. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Frank

[R&DB]

The eastern sections in your Google captures were sold to Port Authority for Newark Airport expansion and to State of NJ for NJ Turnpike construction in the early 1950's. After sales of these parcels, the industries were served from the western end of the main Elizabeth yard. By the mid 1960's the route was changed, withe connection nearer the east end of the yard and past what is now Wakefern. This branch is still active.
Check out 'Historic Aerials.com' and look at the photos and topographic maps for 1947-1958 and the mid 1960's.