Thru routes in NE NJ

I'm curious as to how freight trains get through NE NJ, say from Bound Brook to Selkirk. It seems there are only two ways to do this once the train has entered Oak Island:

1) Over the Point-No-Point bridge, to the Marion running track, and then on the River Line.

2) Over the Lehigh Valley Railroad bridge, to the National Docks line, and then on the River Line.

Is this correct? If so, it seems that everything going to Selkirk would have to go on one of these lines (unless there's are alternate routes going through western New York State or somewhere else).

Thanks

zz14 wrote:I'm curious as to how freight trains get through NE NJ, say from Bound Brook to Selkirk. It seems there are only two ways to do this once the train has entered Oak Island:
1) Over the Point-No-Point bridge, to the Marion running track, and then on the River Line.
2) Over the Lehigh Valley Railroad bridge, to the National Docks line, and then on the River Line.
Is this correct? If so, it seems that everything going to Selkirk would have to go on one of these lines (unless there's are alternate routes going through western New York State or somewhere else).
Thanks

I think you are right on (1) and (2). I might add for (2), that the old National Docks going through the back of Hoboken and into the Weehawken tunnel is gone (now light rail), and the through route now goes through the Erie Long Dock tunnel just north of the Bergen Arches.

THere is also a modified alternative to (2) - from Bound Brook you can take the old Reading line (I forget what it is called now) to the Chemical Coast, and then I suppose (but am not sure) that at Oak Island you get on the old LV bridge you mention to the National Docks.
JS

the old Reading line (I forget what it is called now)

The Reading Secondary.

kilroy wrote:

the old Reading line (I forget what it is called now)

The Port Reading Secondary.

FIFY

Is there a specific routing to determine which through freight schedules are routed via Jersey City or over the P&H through Kearny?

R36 Combine Coach wrote:Is there a specific routing to determine which through freight schedules are routed via Jersey City or over the P&H through Kearny?

Actually, both routes go through Jersey City. The P&H routing turns north at the Marion connection on the west side of JC, to go up to the old Erie Northern RR, and the National Docks runs on the eastern side of Jersey City before running through the Erie Long Dock tunnel to the old Northern. The ex-Northern then runs out of the north side of Jersey City to join the old New York Central (now CSX River line) a few miles further north.
But as to which one to use, I'll let the professionals answer. The Oak Island/National Docks route would let a CSX train go through Oak Island to add/drop blocks without reversing, and the same for the P&H route and the Meadows yard (intermodal?), I guess.
JS

pumpers wrote:

R36 Combine Coach wrote:Is there a specific routing to determine which through freight schedules are routed via Jersey City or over the P&H through Kearny?

Actually, both routes go through Jersey City. The P&H routing turns north at the Marion connection on the west side of JC, to go up to the old Erie Northern RR, and the National Docks runs on the eastern side of Jersey City before running through the Erie Long Dock tunnel to the old Northern. The ex-Northern then runs out of the north side of Jersey City to join the old New York Central (now CSX River line) a few miles further north.
But as to which one to use, I'll let the professionals answer. The Oak Island/National Docks route would let a CSX train go through Oak Island to add/drop blocks without reversing, and the same for the P&H route and the Meadows yard (intermodal?), I guess.
JS

I've noticed they almost always take the National Docks Branch to go to the River Line. Only CSX trains that go to Oak Island are Q300, Q301, Q433 and Q434

The autorack trains to Doremus Ave would also use that route. E-Port trains need to use it to get to the Chemical coast area.