..... Would it be possible to use the old CNJ Blue Comet trackage for NJT to run a train from NYP or Newark Penn to Atlantic city? I was up in the LakeHurst Area this past summer and the Tracks in that area look to be in OK condition. Could NJT restore these tracks? Were do these tracks come out in referance to AC? Does anyone have any pictures of the Blue Comet in Service? When did it end? Were there ever any Diesels run on the Blue Comet Line?
The Southern Secondary line south of Lakehurst runs down to Winslow Jnctn where it interchanged with the PRSL. The line continued south eventually ending, I believe, at Bi-Valve, NJ. The Blue Comet, which was discontinued on September 28, 1941, would take the Southern down to Winslow and get on the PRSL to travel east to AC.
If I read right elsewhere on this forum, the last freights operated on the Southern as late as 1988, but by that time they only went as far south as the sand pits in Woodmansie.
I have seen the length of track between Lakehurst and Rt 72 south of Woodmansie. Although the tracks have been unused for less than 20 years, the ROW is severely overgrown with some significant pine trees growing up through the rails (where still present). They look like they were abandoned more like 50 years ago. The tracks are far from anything resembling useable condition and almost all grade crossings have been torn out, except along some of the dirt roads that still exist down there. Alot has changed (and developed in Ocean county) atleast in the northern half.
To use the Southern Secondary would require complete and major reconstruction and unfortunately, all that trackage runs through the Pine Barrens which has been deemed a severely sensitive environmental area. The Pine Barrens are considered a significant water recharge zone for the groundwater that feeds drinking water to Atlantic City and all the other communities down south. Its basically considered a sieve for any contaminant dumped on the ground. I have heard numerous stories where homeowners were not allowed to even pave their own driveways because the Pine Barrens Commission wants ZERO development in that region. I believe our "beloved" former governor Florio may sit on that commission, although I may wrong about that.