This story goes way back in both my life and my memory. It must have occured about 1951 or so. I say that because K 1 Pacifics were still hauling commuter trains on the Erie main through Paterson.
My family did a lot of shopping in New York City. Which meant that we would take an Erie commuter from the River Street station to Jersey city.
We would be in the middle of the going to work rush hour on the train.
But this is about one of the return trips.
Upon the finish of one of these shopping days in NYC, we, my Mother, my grandmother and my younger sister, were later than useual crossing the Hudson River on an Erie ferry of course. We entered the forebodeing Jersey City Terminal and walked through the waiting room toward the stub end tracks. At these track, there were angled boards with light bulbs in them. If the bulb was lit, the train stopped at that station. If not, the train just cruised on by.
As we approached the boarding gates, my Mother noticed that the light was out for River Street. But my Mother asked the conductor if he could stop at River Street. And I can hear this response today like it was yesterday. He stated very clearly, " Look, lady, this train does not stop at River Street". We got on board any way, because it was the last train within reason for us to take to Paterson. We always tried not to stop in downtown Paterson, because we would have to get my father to come and get us. We never wanted to bother my old man.
Well somewhere between Jersey City and downtown Paterson, my Sainted Mother convinced the conductor to stop at River Street sation.
Again, I can hear his words. Before we got to Paterson main station, he said to my mother, " Lady, you have your mother and these kids at the top step on this end of the car. When this thing stops, get off in a hurry".
We left Paterson downtown sort of fast. Probably because the engineer figured he was going all the way to Ridgewood. Which would have been the next regular stop. He would just breeze past River Street and Hawthorne. I think to this day, the engineer was not alerted to this unscheduled stop.
Just about as we approached Straight Street over pass, the conductor signaled a stop. Brakes came on, screaching, shuddering. We stopped abruptly at River Street. We had been standing in the vestibule since the Paterson stop. The conductor was on the bottom step. I can still remember seeing the trackage going by on the elevated ROW. The old Stillwell car brake equipment was not happy about this sudden stop.
The train stopped, we were off in a split scond, standing on the cinder walkway which is all there was at the River Street station in those days.
Then I recall a proceed signal being blown on the cab signal whistle. The engine bit in, barking. then slipped its drivers, then bit in again, and marched off into the dark toward the Passaid River bridge. I still can hear the crossing signal for Fifth Avenue. It was the only grade crossing in the north end of Paterson on the Erie.
This was a long time ago. But I still wish I could have heard the words of wisdom that went back an forth between the engineer and the conductor
when they had a chance to talk face to face. It must have been colorful.
I hope you all enjoy this little story about the River Street station from when I was very young. To me, it seems like just a short time ago. Wow, how time flys.
Take care,
Bruce
My family did a lot of shopping in New York City. Which meant that we would take an Erie commuter from the River Street station to Jersey city.
We would be in the middle of the going to work rush hour on the train.
But this is about one of the return trips.
Upon the finish of one of these shopping days in NYC, we, my Mother, my grandmother and my younger sister, were later than useual crossing the Hudson River on an Erie ferry of course. We entered the forebodeing Jersey City Terminal and walked through the waiting room toward the stub end tracks. At these track, there were angled boards with light bulbs in them. If the bulb was lit, the train stopped at that station. If not, the train just cruised on by.
As we approached the boarding gates, my Mother noticed that the light was out for River Street. But my Mother asked the conductor if he could stop at River Street. And I can hear this response today like it was yesterday. He stated very clearly, " Look, lady, this train does not stop at River Street". We got on board any way, because it was the last train within reason for us to take to Paterson. We always tried not to stop in downtown Paterson, because we would have to get my father to come and get us. We never wanted to bother my old man.
Well somewhere between Jersey City and downtown Paterson, my Sainted Mother convinced the conductor to stop at River Street sation.
Again, I can hear his words. Before we got to Paterson main station, he said to my mother, " Lady, you have your mother and these kids at the top step on this end of the car. When this thing stops, get off in a hurry".
We left Paterson downtown sort of fast. Probably because the engineer figured he was going all the way to Ridgewood. Which would have been the next regular stop. He would just breeze past River Street and Hawthorne. I think to this day, the engineer was not alerted to this unscheduled stop.
Just about as we approached Straight Street over pass, the conductor signaled a stop. Brakes came on, screaching, shuddering. We stopped abruptly at River Street. We had been standing in the vestibule since the Paterson stop. The conductor was on the bottom step. I can still remember seeing the trackage going by on the elevated ROW. The old Stillwell car brake equipment was not happy about this sudden stop.
The train stopped, we were off in a split scond, standing on the cinder walkway which is all there was at the River Street station in those days.
Then I recall a proceed signal being blown on the cab signal whistle. The engine bit in, barking. then slipped its drivers, then bit in again, and marched off into the dark toward the Passaid River bridge. I still can hear the crossing signal for Fifth Avenue. It was the only grade crossing in the north end of Paterson on the Erie.
This was a long time ago. But I still wish I could have heard the words of wisdom that went back an forth between the engineer and the conductor
when they had a chance to talk face to face. It must have been colorful.
I hope you all enjoy this little story about the River Street station from when I was very young. To me, it seems like just a short time ago. Wow, how time flys.
Take care,
Bruce