I have a question for the local Jersey rail buffs. I grew up in the Ironbound section of Newark NJ, which as you probably know got its moniker because it was bound on all sides by railroads. Needless to say, being a city kid, there were no woods, per se, to play in, but we had the railroads, the Passaic River and the Meadowlands to explore. I lived on Cortland St just off of Ferry St, a couple of blocks East of the old Ballantine Brewery. Everyday, when I went to school in the early 1960’s we would pass over the rail crossing at the end of Hawkins St. This crossing also went under another elevated rail road track and Rt 9 and the Turnpike elevated highways. Back in those days, the crossing was still manned by a railroad crossing guard who initially manually lowered and lifted the gates. He stayed in one of classic sheds with the saltbox bin on the back like the kind that used to be sold for O Guage Lionel sets – possibly a Plasticville kit. I walked those tracks for miles with my friends. I stll have my old Lionels and last set them up under the Christmas tree for my grandkids
I remember seeing a color photo of this crossing in book on Jersey rail lines many years ago, which was very expensive and I was not making much money at that time. The photo was taken from the overpass looking down at the shed to the west. I would like to find this photo and others of that crossing from the late 1950’s early 1960’s. Also, does the crossing have name or number? Any books or references available with photos of this crossing?
I remember seeing a color photo of this crossing in book on Jersey rail lines many years ago, which was very expensive and I was not making much money at that time. The photo was taken from the overpass looking down at the shed to the west. I would like to find this photo and others of that crossing from the late 1950’s early 1960’s. Also, does the crossing have name or number? Any books or references available with photos of this crossing?
