Port Jervis Line Operation by NJT: time for a change?

[Backshophoss]

That's the way it was back then,before NYS took some interest in the Port Jervis service,E-8's and the stillwells were the norm.
EL had a deal with NJDOT to "borrow" the U-34CH's for weekend freight service,but had to back by sunday night.
The creation of CR and NY's MTA finally changed that issue,MTA did buy another U-34CH and put the 2 tone blue "M" on that unit.
Currently the WOH equipment is scattered all across the Hoboken side in pool service,instead of dedicated to ML/BC and Pascack Valley lines.

[Erie-Lackawanna]

It was true until NJDOT entered into an agreement with the MTA to fund operation of the push-pulls to Port Jervis, beginning in May of 1974.

Jim

[TDowling]

So the withholding of the comets past Suffern lasted a few years after their delivery, from about 1970 to 1974.

That must have been infuriating I Imagine to put up with no air conditioning on the stillwells during summer, especially on long commutes.

[blockline4180]

So the withholding of the comets past Suffern lasted a few years after their delivery, from about 1970 to 1974.

That must have been infuriating I Imagine to put up with no air conditioning on the stillwells during summer, especially on long commutes.

I believe the U34/push pulls made their first revenue runs to Port Jervis over the the Main Line to Port Jervis in late September 1974. The MTA U34 unit did not arrive until 1978, so anything before that was with the NJDOT/EL units.

[Erie-Lackawanna]

I believe the U34/push pulls made their first revenue runs to Port Jervis over the the Main Line to Port Jervis in late September 1974. The MTA U34 unit did not arrive until 1978, so anything before that was with the NJDOT/EL units.

Correct...my memory failed me when I wrote “May 1974” a couple posts up. A quick Google search says the last revenue train with E8s & Stillwell coaches was train 70 on Saturday, September 14, 1974. Three E8s and 15 coaches cleaned out Port Jervis.

Jim

[ebtmikado]

The 2650 series Stillwells (2-tone green) were air conditioned.

[TDowling]

Interesting. Were there ever the original comets in erie lack decals on the new Graham alignment, or did Metro North swiftly rebrand them once April of 1983 rolled around?

From what I understand there were the comets, one five car consist of the Comarrows with cab car 5199 and a few of the RDC shuttles...?

[Erie-Lackawanna]

Metro-North didn’t rebrand anything west of the Hudson in 1983. The late 70s cars and U34CH that MTA contributed to the pool had two-tone M logos from the beginning, and I don’t believe they ever received MNR logos, although I could be mistaken. They certainly didn’t get new logos in 1983.

The original Comet cars carried their EL logos for some time after 1983. NJT took their time rebranding them; I seem to recall they got repainted during a fleet overhaul in the mid 80s. So yes, EL logos went to Port Jervis for a few years after 1983.

Correct on the MNR fleet contribution.

Jim

[DutchRailnut]

The U34ch did get the M meatball but that was all.
as did the West Of Hudson Comets .

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=1169037

[Jeff Smith]

Jim or Jaap, is that the U-Boat the NJ group is restoring?

[chrisf]

Jim or Jaap, is that the U-Boat the NJ group is restoring?

The URHS has #3372, which was NJT 4172. 4183 was originally a C&NW U30C which GE rebuilt as a U34CH.

[DutchRailnut]

4183 was cut up, it was considered to come to east of Hudson for work train service. but with its big fuel tank and a hollow crankshaft it was not to be.
due to size of U34 and length of fuel tank the clearances were just too close to third rail on to many switches.