Charlie7 wrote:Nice shots. When was the last time this bridge was used? I see it all the time when I'm in East Newark. What are the rails within the rails for?
Charlie
The last Freight to roll over the NX bridge was in December of '77.
Prior to that there was a day shift operator assigned to the bridge Monday to Friday. One day he was given orders to report to the yard office for a new assignment, and that was that. The bridge spent most of that winter (77-78) intact, but once the weather got warmer, and word got out that the bridge was not being used, it fast become a hangout and that when most of the equipement was destroyed.
Commuter Service last ran on the Newark Branch in October of'66.
In 82 or 83 the bridge was used for a scene in the movie Annie. I often wonder if prior to the filming they reinfornced the bridge in some way to ensure that it would not slam shut.
As you can see it was a double track bridge, but the branch and the bridge were single tracked at some point in the 60's. The branch itself was always single tracked west of the 4th street station in Newark.
Despite how many years that it has sat unused, and the condition of the gearing, could this bridge ever be used again?
Ken
Part of how I know this information is I grew up in Kearny, and I used to take the then Route 41 Bus to school (Seton Hall) every morning, and we would pass right under the branch. At the base of the bridge used to be a Jeep Dealer and Auto Shop (it;s now a used car dealer) the lead mechanic was a big rail fan, and family friend. In fact he called us the day the bridge operator came by to say goodbye. He also got his picture taken with the Annie cast when they were filming.
Ken
And a very interesting photo btw. When I die, I wouldn't mind seeing something like that.