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  • The Atlantic City Line Thread

  • Discussion related to New Jersey Transit rail and light rail operations.
Discussion related to New Jersey Transit rail and light rail operations.

Moderators: lensovet, Kaback9, nick11a

 #1508239  by R36 Combine Coach
 
Regarding the Cherry Hill station, noticed the location is poorly accessible. It is located in the back of a ShopRite (behind the loading docks of all places). And there seems to be no direct pedestrian connection to the Market Place at Garden State Park development built on the former racetrack, with pedestrians having to walk down to Route 70, under the track and then to the other side. When the station was built in 1994 ShopRite was yet to be built and there was apparently a grade crossing to the east (for the racetrack).
 #1508242  by Launcher
 
R36 Combine Coach wrote:Regarding the Cherry Hill station, noticed the location is poorly accessible. It is located in the back of a ShopRite (behind the loading docks of all places). And there seems to be no direct pedestrian connection to the Market Place at Garden State Park development built on the former racetrack, with pedestrians having to walk down to Route 70, under the track and then to the other side. When the station was built in 1994 ShopRite was yet to be built and there was apparently a grade crossing to the east (for the racetrack).
Yes, this was the subject of an Inquirer article recently.
https://www.philly.com/philly/business/ ... 81113.html

Cherry Hill could put the grade crossing back in, but it is not an easy solution because the site will still discourage pedestrian access compared to some other stops on the line that are walking friendly.

With the former Subaru headquarters on Rt 70 closing, I was wondering if there was any chance that a transit hub for train and bus/mixed use center could end up on the space? But the Cooper River would limit the space for parking.

I was fascinated to read on Haddonfield's history page (social media) recently that Utica Ave used to be a temporary stop on this line during some time between 1965 to 1969 when the PRSL Westmont station was closed for erection of the elevated speedline in its former place.
 #1508285  by CentralValleyRail
 
When Wegmans and the Apartments came in 2007, Cherry Hill Twp. PROMISED that they would build a platform on the Eastbound side and would get train service running for Philly commuters. They swore up and down that it would happen and what happened, nothing.

12 Years later they're still barking up the tree.

I was a resident at the time in 2007 of Cherry Hill and voted specifically for this reason in like '05 (granted I wanted the Wegmans too) but of course politicians holding their word, good one. There was a big town hall meeting too if I recall right in '04 and NJT management showed up and endorsed the idea.

Granted NJT was at the top of it's game back then and was looked upon as one of the best commuter railways in the country. OH how the MIGHTY have fallen...

I would say it's going to be at least another 10 years before we see any sign of a grade crossing let alone a platform... And that is if AC doesn't go belly up, the next hard recession I think AC is toast.
 #1508380  by liftedjeep
 
Driving rain and howling winds are not my favorite conditions for shooting trains. But after an eight month break in service for PTC installation along the Atlantic City Line, I was anxious to see trains rolling again along the line through my neck of the woods!

Cab Car led NJT Atlantic City Line #4673 came off of the Delair Bridge (which can be seen in the background), and split the signals before pulling into the Pennsauken Transit Center:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5134835" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ex NYC GP40 built in 1967, #4201 (GP40PH-2B) was the power plant for train #4673:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5134836" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As train #4673 waited in the rain at the Transit Center, it was met by Philadelphia bound train #4670 arriving on Track 1:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5134837" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

NJT Atlantic City Line #4670 eases to a stop with GP40 #4215 on the point:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5134838" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm happy to see the Atlantic City Line back up and running!

Ben
 #1509300  by chuchubob
 
(At least) one AC Line train was running with two engines Wednesday. Train 4615 had 4206 and 4209. The same train went north as train 4620. Since I couldn't get a decent photo of 4609 from the Platform, I went to Westfield Ave in Pennsauken to get a better view.
 #1509310  by glennk419
 
chuchubob wrote:(At least) one AC Line train was running with two engines Wednesday. Train 4615 had 4206 and 4209. The same train went north as train 4620. Since I couldn't get a decent photo of 4609 from the Platform, I went to Westfield Ave in Pennsauken to get a better view.
Thanks Bob. That's a lot of ponies for 3 cars.
 #1509531  by The EGE
 
Today, May 23, 2019, is the 30th anniversary of service returning to the Atlantic City Line after an 8-year absence.
 #1509532  by R36 Combine Coach
 
The EGE wrote:Today, May 23, 2019, is the 30th anniversary of service returning to the Atlantic City Line after an 8-year absence.
Original timetable here for the Amtrak service (of which the rebuilt Metroliners were used for push-pull. Other Metroliners were deployed to California and Michigan). Initially joint AMTK/NJT service had NJT using rebuilt Comet Is from the Hoboken Division (the orange "tiger stripe" cabs were done in part in response to local residents about the high speed (90 mph crossings) and also Comet IIs (the IIBs were likely ordered for the AC line opening, in addition to Long Branch electrification). The last five GP40FHs (4140-4144) were delivered by MK in 1989 in time for the AC line service. Initially NJT service only operated to Lindenwold, with PATCO connection required, service to 30 Street did not begin until 1995.

In the early years of the AC Line, Comet IIs assigned here had initials "AC" under car numbers. Some are still visible even after overhaul as IIM coaches.
 #1509683  by lensovet
 
I realize the frequency probably makes no sense, but given that there's power lines that literally go above the track, what would it take to electrify this line?
 #1509697  by liftedjeep
 
lensovet wrote:I realize the frequency probably makes no sense, but given that there's power lines that literally go above the track, what would it take to electrify this line?
There are electric line supports spanning the ACL from just beyond the Route 130 overpass in Pennsauken, to across the Delair Bridge. A span of maybe three or four miles. These are all PSE&G (civilian use) owned electrical supports. (Side note, the line was originally electrified from the PRR main (DC to NY) at Frankford Junction, across the Delair Bridge, splitting off the main at JERSEY, and running to Pavonia Yard.

The remainder of the Atlantic City Line (originally PRR) was never setup to support an electrified overhead. Even today, I just don't think it would be feasible, to say nothing about who would flip the bill for installation.

Ben
 #1510277  by liftedjeep
 
Being off from work, I decided what better way to spend the day than to take a ride to Atlantic City, my first since service resumed on the Atlantic City Line.

A one way ticket from the Pennsauken Transit Center to A.C. ran me $5.25, which even if was just for fun, is still a decent price in my opinion! My train (#4627) arrived at the Transit Center at 1:17pm, right on time!

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5142746" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Aside from my coach having a flat spot on one of its wheels (making for some extra "clickety-clacking"), the ride was comfortable, quiet and quick! We pulled into the Atlantic City Rail Terminal at 2:31pm. Only one minute behind schedule.

GP40PH-2B #4215 (seen to the left) provided the power on my train. #4217 and the three coaches to the right are the protect set for the Atlantic City Line:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5142748" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Atlantic City Rail Terminal was quiet when I arrived. I had lunch at the small grille located within the main concourse. Here's an interior shot of the waiting area:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5142752" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The terminal, which also doubles as the Atlantic City Convention Center was opened in 1989, and is the eastern most terminus on the Atlantic City Line. As seen from Kirkman Blvd:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5142753" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For my ride home, I sat in the cab car which trails on trains headed for Philadelphia. Interior shot of NJT Cab Car #6049:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5142754" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Due to diesel exhaust issues at the platforms in Atlantic City, locomotives are located on the north end of all trains.

I watched the Atlantic City casinos through the dirty window of my seat get smaller and smaller as we sped through the marshes, headed for the mainland:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5142755" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Our train slowed a bit as we entered the POMO (Pomona) passing siding. This could only mean that a meet was at hand with a train headed in the opposite direction, towards Atlantic City. The shot came out a bit blurred, but here is Atlantic City Line train #4631 as seen from the rear window of my coach:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5142756" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

60 minutes later, I was ending my journey in the same place where it had begun four hours earlier. Back home in Pennsauken...

Nothing beats taking the train to shore and back!

Ben
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