CR on the Southern Secondary

[CR2721]

That makes sense, I think one day this weekend I'll take a trip up north and start exploring along the ROW. I'll see if I can get any pictures of anything.

[CharlieL]

Other than some marker flags (apparently marking out AT&T cable along the ROW), there has been no work done between end of track at Okerson Rd and the southern in Farmingdale. That's as of this morning (4/19/2021) and includes Howell Rd which is getting repaved from rte 33 to the tracks, Fairfield rd, Yellowbrook Rd, county 524, Southard Ave, and Railroad Ave in Farmingdale.

[CR7876]

The next logical step is a filling with the STB. Until that happens and is approved, don't expect much to change. I would venture a guess that C&D wanted, or needed, this funding in place to go forward with their plan.

[CharlieL]

Somewhere in these threads I got the impression a filing with the STB is not required as the only real difference is putting a 2.6 mile stretch of track back in service. A filing not being necessary for change in operator due to prior agreement between NJT and Conrail giving rights to designate a different operator.

[Tanker1497]

CharlieL if we are talking about the FIT, its pretty close to 5.5 miles of track. And there has been some encroachment over the years. I'm guessing letters will be going out first.?

[R&DB]

I believe CharlieL is referring to the portion of the Southern OOS between South Lakewood and Lakehurst, about 2.6 miles.

[Tanker1497]

I believe CharlieL is referring to the portion of the Southern OOS between South Lakewood and Lakehurst, about 2.6 miles.

Gotcha my bad!

[R&DB]

Other than some marker flags (apparently marking out AT&T cable along the ROW), there has been no work done between end of track at Okerson Rd and the southern in Farmingdale. That's as of this morning (4/19/2021) and includes Howell Rd which is getting repaved from rte 33 to the tracks, Fairfield rd, Yellowbrook Rd, county 524, Southard Ave, and Railroad Ave in Farmingdale.

Every crossing you noted needs a re-build and crossing protection.

[Tanker1497]

I believe CharlieL is referring to the portion of the Southern OOS between South Lakewood and Lakehurst, about 2.6 miles.

Gotcha my bad!

But!
From the runaround at Cross St to MP66 in lakehurst is over 5 miles

[R&DB]

I have not measured it myself, but from what I can see from Google maps the distance from the south end of the Cross St run-around end of track to Lakehurst is less than 3 miles. I'm not positive as to where the actual end of track is located, but I believe it is near the intersection of Faraday Ave and Esti Cir.
The real question is why did Conrail ever build the Cross St run-around? Have the fuel savings over the past 10 years paid for the cost of construction? Probably not.

[Tanker1497]

I have not measured it myself, but from what I can see from Google maps the distance from the south end of the Cross St run-around end of track to Lakehurst is less than 3 miles. I'm not positive as to where the actual end of track is located, but I believe it is near the intersection of Faraday Ave and Esti Cir.
The real question is why did Conrail ever build the Cross St run-around? Have the fuel savings over the past 10 years paid for the cost of construction? Probably not.

Cross St is MP61 and Clayton track starts at MP66 5 miles.
I'm not sure that fuel was the reason, I thought it was crew duty day.

[Coast Line Railfan]

CharlieL wrote:

Plate "F" would not work north of Eatontown due to low bridges, tho.

I don't think there are any Plate F obstructions on the Southern. I believe the Tinton Avenue bride has sufficient clearance. The obstructions are the catenary on the Coast Line to the best of my knowledge. The other issue is the 263,999 lb limit on the Navesink River bridge at Red Bank. RE-routing freight traffic through Freehold overcomes these limitations. (Of course the NIMBYs in Jamesburg and Freehold may have fits) It appears the objects of the grant are to relieve Conrail from serving the FIT and the Southern and to get the freight off the Coastline between South Amboy and Red Bank.
Also the only possible customer north of Eatontown appears to be Lawes and they haven't had a siding since they stopped selling coal decades ago.

Having seen a train train under that bridge, to say the least if you put a yardstick on the top of the locomotive, it's gonna be half a yardstick on the other side. Not nearly enough room for Plate F unless the roadbed is lowered quite a few feet.

[CR7876]

I think the Tinton Ave Bridge is in the funding process at NJDOT to get replaced. That bridge is LOW. The next problem is that the new River Drawbridge project does not address the problem of similar low bridges in Perth Amboy.

[GSC]

Any info about SA31 running to the Southern today?

[NJTMonmouthCoastline]

31/38 report:

Power today was 4432/4452

16 cars for WoodHaven

And yes there is a 38!