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  • Freehold-Matawan Line?

  • Pertaining to all railroading subjects, past and present, in New Jersey
Pertaining to all railroading subjects, past and present, in New Jersey

Moderator: David

 #1555545  by JohnFromJersey
 
Does anyone remember when the last train, freight or otherwise ran? And how long did the tracks stay before they converted it to a rail trail?
 #1555607  by JohnFromJersey
 
JohnFromJersey wrote: Wed Oct 28, 2020 12:44 am Does anyone remember when the last train, freight or otherwise ran? And how long did the tracks stay before they converted it to a rail trail?
Want to also add, looking for pictures of said line too.
 #1555691  by JohnFromJersey
 
CharlieL wrote: Thu Oct 29, 2020 8:12 am Try this link: https://www.abandonedrails.com/freehold-branch
Wow. Looking at the map now, it is unbelievable how many houses sprung up around the ROW, which seems to still be in tact the whole way through. Sadly not a whole lot of pictures, the ones there only being of after the line was gone. Sad that no one wants to revive it.

I've been on the bike path that replaces it a few times, and each time, there was always quite a lot of debauchery going on. Not sure why residents prefer that happening near their residences instead of trains.
 #1555717  by NY&LB
 
For PICTURES, try the Tom Gallo book Henry Hudson Trail in the "Images of America" series of books, easily available at Monmouth County Barnes and Nobles or on line.
Another source is The Trail of the Blue Comet, this a RARE book and copies are very hard to find. The plates were destroyed after the limited printing but it is a MUST HAVE if you are a fan of the CNJ Southern Division. It contains a good number of high quality pictures of the Freehold - Matawan line. Occasional a copy will come up on ebay but better have a hefty PayPay balance to pay for one.
 #1555736  by GSC
 
One pic in Gallo's book shows a southbound freight ducking under the bridge on Rt 520. The bridge has since been removed and the road dips down where the bridge once stood. I believe the Marlboro station or freight house is still there, fixed up as an office for a business. The southern portion of the trail to Freehold begins here in a nearby park. North of Rt 520, the line is still overgrown, at least from my last visit, about two years ago.
 #1556262  by CJPat
 
Just a side note, but the CNJ used to pick up materials at the Karagheusian Rug Co. in Roselle (last known as the Romerovski Brothers - soon to be turned to condos) on their mainline and transport it down to Karagheusian along their Matawan-Freehold Branch in Freehold (now turned into condos). Both locations were fairly large factories (at least for older NJ).