BigDell wrote:Okay - I know this is an ig'nant question but I have to ask because I don't get out there much. Is this the LV line that passes Potter's in Edison? It meets up with the CNJ line further west? Does anything run over the special connector track from CNJ to the LV? I know it wouldn't be any passenger trains, but does any freight go out that way? I am used to the corridor, chemical coast etc, but am curious what's over on that side of the state.
BigDell
Welcome to west Jersey. West of Manville the ex-LV mainline we are talking about is owned by Norfolk Southern and called the "Lehigh Line" (the part in NJ that is, not sure if that is an official NS or unofficial name). It is the only way NS gets major freight in/out of the northern NJ area**, so its very busy. In Allentown it connects to an ex-Reading line to Reading and then another Reading line (all NS now) to Harrisburg, which is a major NS hub. There are a few NS branches off this route in eastern PA such as to Reading to Philadelphia, Allentown/Bethlehem to the Hazleton/Packerton area, and a few others. East of Manville it is owned by Conrail and also hosts freights that come up/down the CSX Trenton sub (ex-Reading, Manville to Philadelphia, and eventually to Florida), another very busy line. I'm guessing the Lehigh line (west of Manville) and the Trenton line each run 15-20 trains a day. JS
** (There are a few cars that go from Phillipsburg directly up the old DL&W to Washington to serve a local on the old DLW lines such as the Boonton line and Morris & Essex line.)