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  • "Revised" Aldene trackage

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

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 #1511202  by Amtrak207
 
Hello all,

Would anyone have information regarding when NJ Transit updated the Aldene tracks from what it used to be (looks like it was around when the bracket-type signals were put in) to the current configuration?

I seem to remember the older CNJ bracket 6 light signal immediately east of the Garden State Parkway overpass and I believe the Aldene Ramp had the switch set further back, with one track combining with former CNJ main track, and the other Aldene Ramp track (westbound main) coming directly down and paralleling the CNJ main.

Any information would be GREATLY appreciated!

Tom
 #1511456  by Ken W2KB
 
"the other Aldene Ramp track"

To the best of my recollection, there never was more than one track installed on the Aldene ramp, though the ramp was built sufficiently wide to accommodate two tracks.
 #1511577  by pumpers
 
Looking at historicaerials.com it seems like the ramp was only one track.
Related, it's a bit hard to make out from the photos, but at one point just before Conrail (1972) was the LV single tracked in that area? (by 1979, it was clearly double track). I know in the early 70's LV went single track in much of western NY, but I doubt it was single track in the Roselle region so close to Oak Island. Anyone know for sure?
 #1511599  by Amtrak207
 
You guys are 100% correct (I think I worded it confusingly)... my apologies.

Current form:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldene_Co ... Aldene.jpg

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... ?id=624551
earlier Aldene.

Correct it was always one track (although graded for two) up the ramp, it seems the trackage here changed, along with the signal (CNJ bracket mast removed.)

I was just curious on when this happened, I assume late 1980's perhaps?

Thanks again to all!
 #1511657  by pumpers
 
Old thread:
https://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtop ... 9&t=159873

Also some interesting history:
. In addition, a connecting track had to be built at Aldene, connecting the CNJ with the L.V., and since the volume of trains was too large for the two-track Lehigh Valley, signaling improvements were made so trains could run either way on both tracks (rule 261-TCS). A gauntlet track was needed on #2 at Roselle Park, since wide shipments would be too close to the island platform. And last, but not least, a coach yard had to be built at Harrison, NJ (just east of Newark) to store equipment between trips.
Since the CNJ/LV connection at Aldene was only a single track, it often became a bottleneck at rush hour, with east bounds sometimes waiting for westbounds before they could "go up the Hill." Two tracks were planned, but never installed, contributing to headaches for the operators at "EXCEE" and "NK" towers.
from http://www.trainsarefun.com/rvrr/cranfo ... nction.htm.