Harry Posted August 19, 2007 Share #1 Posted August 19, 2007 I noticed a left siding just south of the Aberdeen-Matawan station that head northeast and ends just before the GSP. Does anyone know what this line was used for? From the aerial views it looks like it use to continue past the GSP and then past Route 35 and then through Keyport and then into Keansburg/North Middletown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Kreszl Posted August 20, 2007 Share #2 Posted August 20, 2007 Hello, You are looking a piece of NJ History. This track was originally part of the CNJ Seashore Branch to the Atlantic Highlands. The tracks crossed over the GSP into the Atlantic Highlands. Conrail abandoned the track in 1983. The eastern portion to the Atlantic Highlands is today the Henry Hudson Trail which is a bike trail. NJ Transit electrified the siding when the Catenary was extended from South Amboy as the wires ended there in Matawan for a while. The siding was used for a MU Storage track. NJ Transit designates this track as Out Of Service. Which in railroad terms means that tracks are out of service but can be used at ANY TIME with permission obtained by the NJCL dispatcher or track supervisor. The Correct name for the siding is the Natco Stub Track. The Catenary on the track is insulated as it is now a phase gap. The electrical substation near the siding is for the local power Company to supply electricity to the Catenary wires. Eric P.S. Great Photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewJerseyT Posted August 20, 2007 Share #3 Posted August 20, 2007 Yep I used to live in the Atlantic Highlands. It used to run down the pier to catch a ferry there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Posted August 20, 2007 Author Share #4 Posted August 20, 2007 Hello, You are looking a piece of NJ History. This track was originally part of the CNJ Seashore Branch to the Atlantic Highlands. The tracks crossed over the GSP into the Atlantic Highlands. Conrail abandoned the track in 1983. The eastern portion to the Atlantic Highlands is today the Henry Hudson Trail which is a bike trail. NJ Transit electrified the siding when the Catenary was extended from South Amboy as the wires ended there in Matawan for a while. The siding was used for a MU Storage track. NJ Transit designates this track as Out Of Service. Which in railroad terms means that tracks are out of service but can be used at ANY TIME with permission obtained by the NJCL dispatcher or track supervisor. The Correct name for the siding is the Natco Stub Track. The Catenary on the track is insulated as it is now a phase gap. The electrical substation near the siding is for the local power Company to supply electricity to the Catenary wires. Eric P.S. Great Photo. Thanks for the history lesson. Perfect, thank you very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSOH Posted August 20, 2007 Share #5 Posted August 20, 2007 Is there any equipment in storage now today? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Posted August 20, 2007 Author Share #6 Posted August 20, 2007 I walked out as far as I could and didn't see anything out there. The 9:35 train was approaching so I went back a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Kreszl Posted August 20, 2007 Share #7 Posted August 20, 2007 Is there any equipment in storage now today? No there hasn't been equipment stored there for who knows how long now. It could be used to store MOW equipment if they are working in the area as I have seen that in Red Bank Yard on many occasions. Who Knows. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trainspotter Posted August 20, 2007 Share #8 Posted August 20, 2007 Wow it took me like almost an hour to find that on google earth. It does look like a bike trail on the opposite end of the GSP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewJerseyT Posted August 20, 2007 Share #9 Posted August 20, 2007 Yes it is, it is now called the Henry Hudson(bike)trail.And in keyport I actaull was walking on it before they paved it,and found old ties,etc. Even and old what apperared to be some sort of signal or switch box,although it was rusted beyond recignititon.(sorry can't spell tonight and just getting the thing so the spell check here can work:p) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Kreszl Posted August 20, 2007 Share #10 Posted August 20, 2007 Hey Guys, There is a Images Of America book that was published about the Henry Hudson Trail and has a LOT of historical images. Where Thompson Ave. in Belford crosses the trail there are still rails in the roadway. Also in the Atlantic Highlands where the trail starts along Rt. 36 you still can see some of the railroad telephone wire poles still standing. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Kreszl Posted August 20, 2007 Share #11 Posted August 20, 2007 Hey Guys, Here is my photo of the Natco Stub track. The photo was taken from inside the train that I was on. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastman346 Posted August 20, 2007 Share #12 Posted August 20, 2007 This is nice to know. Intereting thanks for infomation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracknut Posted August 20, 2007 Share #13 Posted August 20, 2007 Those tracks dont look too bad. They look better than the monmouth siding tracks. When was the last time it was used? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Kreszl Posted August 20, 2007 Share #14 Posted August 20, 2007 Those tracks dont look too bad. They look better than the monmouth siding tracks. When was the last time it was used? The last time the Monmouth Running track was used I believe was a few years ago. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebbieprops Posted August 21, 2007 Share #15 Posted August 21, 2007 Interesting photo; thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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