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Christmas Eve and the SA42

Pertaining to all railroading subjects, past and present, in New Jersey

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Christmas Eve and the SA42

 #81952  by OCtrainguy
 
I had the day off on Christmas Eve to spend with family and friends. So, before the sun rose, me and my son drove up to Elizabeth to meet a friend and photograph the SA42 (Browns Yard to Oak Island and back). We got there in plenty of time so the wait began. We saw the headlight down the track starting to appear and that's when my son said those eight words "Dad, I have to go to the bathroom."

Well, we had to make a quick run for him (he's 5 1/2) to go and got back with a minute to spare. Here is the photo from Elizabeth, on the ex-CNJ line from Elizabethport to Woodbridge, taken off of Lt. Glenn Zamorski Drive. Their main power was NS SD45-2 1702 & CSX SD40-2 8801.

http://members.trainorders.com/octrainguy/sa42-01.jpg

A second photo focusing on the engines. NS GP38-2 5282 was being brought down to be used by the Browns Yard locals. And the SA31 did use it on December 26th on the Southern Secondary.

http://members.trainorders.com/octrainguy/sa42-02.jpg

From there, we headed down to Port Reading, close to the former CNJ-Reading diamond. The train stopped to set off some cars at Bayway, so we got there in plenty of time. Here's the SA42 approaching the remains of an old signal bridge on the ex-CNJ:

http://members.trainorders.com/octrainguy/sa42-03.jpg

After that spot, we headed down to the Woodbridge Avenue grade crossing in Woodbridge, more ex-CNJ trackage:

http://members.trainorders.com/octrainguy/sa42-04.jpg

From there, we headed to Railroad Avenue in South Amboy. We walked up to the former Raritan River bridge that crosses the Amboy Secondary. You can see how wide the ROW was in the PRR days and the catenary poles are still there.

http://members.trainorders.com/octrainguy/sa42-05.jpg

After that location, I was hoping to catch the train at the Cheesequake Road crossing. Due to traffic, I was unable to get there in time. However, we were able to catch up to the train at Browns Road, which is just east of the yard. We were foruntate as the train stopped just east of the grade crossing for a few minutes.

http://members.trainorders.com/octrainguy/sa42-06.jpg

While there, I noticed an old PRR mile marker so I took a photo of it.

http://members.trainorders.com/octrainguy/prr-mp56.jpg

We saw a train moving around at the eastern end of the yard, so we made our way to a warehouse just before the yard. We were treated to a yard crew moving cars around with CSX GP40-2 4425 & CSX SD45-2 8974. The SD45-2 was a nice surprise.

http://members.trainorders.com/octrainguy/sa42-07.jpg

From there, we headed home. A very successful morning. I am still photographing with print and slide film, so I just got the pictures back yesterday.

 #81973  by Jtgshu
 
Wow, two different ex-EL SD45-2's....thats a sight to see!!! Great pics!!!!

How long was that train? Looked to be a good 30 to 40 cars.....

A good pic would have been to see the train stretched out over River Draw

 #81986  by OCtrainguy
 
To be honest, I didn't get an exact car count. I would say though that it was between 30-40 cars. While I wanted the photo from the ex-Raritan River bridge in South Amboy, my friend went to and was able to get a photograph of the train crossing river draw.

Just wishing that one of these days, the SA42 will have the 1703 with them. That's the only NS ex-EL SD45-2 I don't have a photo of. :(

 #82069  by nick11a
 
Great shots OCguy! Man, having a car for train chasing really helps things doesn't it? :wink:

I caught a shot of 1702 a few weeks back with a CSX SD40 at the Raritan.

 #82083  by OCtrainguy
 
"Great shots OCguy! Man, having a car for train chasing really helps things doesn't it?"

Definetly around here. Many of my photos would not have been possible without a car. Especially the SA35 & SA31 on the Southern Secondary. Though traffic can definetly throw a wrench into the best planned route.

"I caught a shot of 1702 a few weeks back with a CSX SD40 at the Raritan."

Yes, I remember seeing your pictures of the train crossing the river close to sunset. Very nicely done.

PRR Milemarker East of Browns YArd

 #114392  by steve coraggio
 
I found and saw the mile marker really neat, also if you past the yard towards heading soutwest wherew there is the siding track and the main there two old rusted whistle sign one is on the Bordertown Ave. side of the yard if you were going to Brown's yard, that sign next to the old one has a Black W on white background. the second whistle sign is across the tracks at this location. Steve Coraggio [email protected]
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