There is a few freights daily that go over that section back and forth to Browns yard - but they enter at Wood (east of PA station) and exit at Essay (east of South Amboy, right over the bridge) - The steel plant is currently shut down, but there is a railcar scrapper there, and they go in a few times a week to drop off cars to get eaten by the big scissors.
A 3rd track wouldn't be necessary for freight, but for passenger trains to pass each other in that section while still allowing trains on the other track to move in the other direction, and not totally clog up the RR. An express could over take a local in that stretch, and putting in high speed (60mph) xovers at Wood would result in absolutely NO change in speed for trains diverting to the outer (or inner) track, as its only 60mph through there anyway. Right now, especialy during evening rush, an express will come in on track 2 going west, then a local on track 1 at woodbridge. The local gets held at Wood (or even Graw) for the express to pass. the express "gets ahead" but then the local catches up anyway. Also would be a good place to turn "Rahway Rockets" on the weekends (or weekdays if they were ever implemented during the week)
At least Somerville looks like they could put in other platforms if necessary in the future. Ive also been told that Westfield could have a 3rd track put in, I don't necessarily see it, but Id assume it would be on the eastbound side, adn that would become an Island. Plainflied doens't look like a 3rd track could ever be put in because of the bridges on either side of the station...
the track swing and jogs are not a big deal. They don't have speed restrictions associated with them (at least on the RVL) and the most notable one would be Cranford, where the track goes to the outside of what was the 4 tracks
A 3rd track wouldn't be necessary for freight, but for passenger trains to pass each other in that section while still allowing trains on the other track to move in the other direction, and not totally clog up the RR. An express could over take a local in that stretch, and putting in high speed (60mph) xovers at Wood would result in absolutely NO change in speed for trains diverting to the outer (or inner) track, as its only 60mph through there anyway. Right now, especialy during evening rush, an express will come in on track 2 going west, then a local on track 1 at woodbridge. The local gets held at Wood (or even Graw) for the express to pass. the express "gets ahead" but then the local catches up anyway. Also would be a good place to turn "Rahway Rockets" on the weekends (or weekdays if they were ever implemented during the week)
At least Somerville looks like they could put in other platforms if necessary in the future. Ive also been told that Westfield could have a 3rd track put in, I don't necessarily see it, but Id assume it would be on the eastbound side, adn that would become an Island. Plainflied doens't look like a 3rd track could ever be put in because of the bridges on either side of the station...
the track swing and jogs are not a big deal. They don't have speed restrictions associated with them (at least on the RVL) and the most notable one would be Cranford, where the track goes to the outside of what was the 4 tracks
On the RR, "believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see"
John, aka "JTGSHU" passed away on August 26, 2013. We honor his memory and his devotion to railroading at railroad.net.
John, aka "JTGSHU" passed away on August 26, 2013. We honor his memory and his devotion to railroading at railroad.net.