Good Trainwatching

I think that's right. I recall finding a bridge not too far to the east of Port Jervis to photograph the 614, and it was definitely single track there. I don't think 4 would have fit at the bridge. The four tracks were probably 2 mainline plus a couple extra for the passenger station.

Jtgshu wrote:Another good, but not real well known spot is the riverfront in Perth Amboy (by Nicks grandparents house - hahhahaa)

Haha. Yep. I also grew up one block from there. Can't believe I forgot that spot, it is a great spot to railfan! HIGHLY RECOMENDED. I go there a lot.

http://home.comcast.net/~njosullivan9/121103D.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~njosullivan9/121103E.jpg

Incidentally, three hours later, Jtgshu would be rear braking on this same train on the Long Branch Local, 3721 IIRC.

And also, I might suggest Red Bank:

http://home.comcast.net/~njosullivan9/051104E.JPG

Also, I think New Brunswick has some highlights as well- if you feel like taking a walk on the wild side.

And thanks Bob for the additional photos. Also, what is wrong with watching grass grow?

That little chineese 142 looks like a small whimp when compared to the big American Thoroughbred.

It's a real shame shes sitting in storage. Probobally just going to rot into the horrible shape it was in when she was rehabs for the excursions.

I would definatly ride the massive beastly 614 over the small 142 any day...

That bridge in Perth Amboy is one of my favorite spots there. In fact, when my aunts lived in there till they passed away like a little over 6 years ago, I would often go down there. In fact, I might railfan down there the Friday after thanksgiving. I've never gotton off the train in Red Bank but I might go down there as well. There are plenty of places to take pictures there.

njt/mnrrbuff wrote:That bridge in Perth Amboy is one of my favorite spots there. In fact, when my aunts lived in there till they passed away like a little over 6 years ago, I would often go down there. In fact, I might railfan down there the Friday after thanksgiving. I've never gotton off the train in Red Bank but I might go down there as well. There are plenty of places to take pictures there.

Yes. My Grandpa told me before he passed away a few years back when he was young (Pennsy days with the steam engines) that he and his buddies would go accross the bridge and climb down one of the pillars and fish. That bridge has seen a lot of history indeed.

Those are nice shots of yours. I like to get bridge shots as well. Looking at those shots, I'm seeing that transit is trying its best to try not to have any "salad bowl" consists or at least keeping a consistant pattern even if there are different types of cars in the consist.

njt/mnrrbuff wrote:Those are nice shots of yours. I like to get bridge shots as well. Looking at those shots, I'm seeing that transit is trying its best to try not to have any "salad bowl" consists or at least keeping a consistant pattern even if there are different types of cars in the consist.

Sometimes, yes they do try. Certain trains are deliberately made to look like a solid set. But they do have a way to go.

If you do choose to go to Port Jervis, I would actually suggest that you go there by train. The scenery past Suffern is pretty, even with all the utility poles just north of Suffern. Just before Moodna Viaduct(very scenic), you start to climb grades. You are on a mountain for the most part from here to Port. Also, you do have Otisville Tunnel and Black Rock Cut. If you choose to take this trip, I would actually do it on a weekend because the service if pretty much evenly scattered out except for a certain gap. Actually, for the next couple of months. There will be bustitution on part of this line. There is so much Erie flavor along this line and the old telephone poles show that. Make sure you get a solid set of Vs. Remember, if you see a solid set of Vs based out of Hoboken on a diesel, it is usually in Metro North markings.

njt/mnrrbuff wrote:If you do choose to go to Port Jervis, I would actually suggest that you go there by train. The scenery past Suffern is pretty, even with all the utility poles just north of Suffern. Just before Moodna Viaduct(very scenic), you start to climb grades. You are on a mountain for the most part from here to Port. Also, you do have Otisville Tunnel and Black Rock Cut. If you choose to take this trip, I would actually do it on a weekend because the service if pretty much evenly scattered out except for a certain gap. Actually, for the next couple of months. There will be bustitution on part of this line. There is so much Erie flavor along this line and the old telephone poles show that. Make sure you get a solid set of Vs. Remember, if you see a solid set of Vs based out of Hoboken on a diesel, it is usually in Metro North markings.

Yeah, the Otisville Tunnel has some great views! Haha. I took my first trip to Port Jervis only a little over a month ago. It is a long trip but worth it. I had Comet I set. While it wasn't bad (excpept I was in a car that got bumpy at times- 5116- a cab) I would have preffered MN Comet Vs. Hopefully next time. Unforutanately though, on weekends, there seems to be a fair amount of NJT Comet I equipment. And weekends are indeed the best time to get there because of the schedule. And the Moodna viaduct has to be one of the best train scenic things in NJT's rail system. I was in awe when I crossed over it.

njt/mnrrbuff wrote:If you do choose to go to Port Jervis, I would actually suggest that you go there by train. The scenery past Suffern is pretty, even with all the utility poles just north of Suffern. Just before Moodna Viaduct(very scenic), you start to climb grades. You are on a mountain for the most part from here to Port. Also, you do have Otisville Tunnel and Black Rock Cut. If you choose to take this trip, I would actually do it on a weekend because the service if pretty much evenly scattered out except for a certain gap. Actually, for the next couple of months. There will be bustitution on part of this line. There is so much Erie flavor along this line and the old telephone poles show that. Make sure you get a solid set of Vs. Remember, if you see a solid set of Vs based out of Hoboken on a diesel, it is usually in Metro North markings.

The midday schedule and off-peak fares from Suffern or Harriman to Port Jervis are pretty cheap. In the $10 range, as I recall. Pretty decent for 100 miles of travel. There's (was?) a layover of an hour or so and convenient BK at Port. The station is just east of the turntable and layover tracks. If there's a local or Suskie train, it will likely be holding just to the west of the station, but that's not too likely.

Particularly when if you include all the costs of driving a car, not just the gas, 100 miles is $50 or more.

I sure you remember me saying that when I photographed right by Woodbury Commons, both trains were Comet Is and transit F40s. I think, it will be like that for some time till they get the problems straightened out with the Vs.

In Erie days, there were several storage tracks south of the station at Port Jervis. Maybe 3 or 4, plus the main track. Passenger equipment would often lay over there after servicing. I think these tracks were gone by the 614 trip, though

Freight trains were built in the yard west of the engine terminal, which stretched perhaps three miles out to Sparrow Bush. I vaguely recall an underground tunnel for access from the station area to the southside of the tracks.

I don't have my Shephard guide (circa 1976 track diagrams) handy, but I'll find it and see what Shephard says