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B&O, Reading Freight Operations in NJ

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Posted by R.N. Nelson on Friday, June 1, 2012 8:57 PM

B&O freight, east of Philadelphia, other than the B&O traffic to Staten Island, went to Jersey City to be placed on car floats to a  freight terminal at  W 26th and the river plus to several piers in the New York Harbor.  Same for the return operation, west..

The original agreement called for no B&O power or crews on freights to work east of Philadelphia. Still, at times, due to power shortages, B&O power would work east of Philadelphia. After the B&O's Jersey City passenger service was discontinued in1958, B&O freight traffic would continue and beginning in 1964,  B&O power was added to the Reading-CNJ power pool east of Philadelphia. 

 

Norman

 

 

 

 

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Posted by daveklepper on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 9:16 AM

Right.   S1's replaced steam and lasted through MTA ownership, being replaced only about a year ago, some of the very last S1's in operation, used on work trains after freight service stopped.

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Posted by henry6 on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 8:31 AM

Yeah...I don't remember ever seeing B&O power on freights but did see CNJ and RDG east of Bound Brook.  However, on SI itself was a B&O switcher.

 

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Posted by daveklepper on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 3:18 AM

The freights that connected the B&O Staten Island operation with the B&O north of PHiladelphia were technically joint CNJ-Reading freight trains.   B&O power did not operate through on freights to Staten Island, but Reading and CNJ power were used to the bridge, and B&O power on the Island, definitely including some camel-backs, the only ones I ever saw in actual operaton on a freight, owned by B&O.

I am not sure where the power and crew swap took place, however.

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Posted by henry6 on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 10:08 AM

B&O and RDG passenger trains went to CNJ's JC terminal; freight was scatterd along the JC waterfront south of  there.  RDG did go to Port Reading because they had a coal dock there but not much other freight; this line took off from the RDG west of the CNJ connection at Bound Brook.   B&O did own and operate the SIRR until CR.    

RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.

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B&O, Reading Freight Operations in NJ
Posted by pajrr on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 8:49 AM

Hi,

   My question concerns B&O and Reading freight operations in NJ. I know that those two railroads used the CNJ mainline to reach the Jersey City Terminal with their passenger trains. Where did the freight trains for those two carriers terminate in NJ? I know that the B&O owned the Staten Island RR at one time and I know that the B&O was associated with the CNJ, too. Was Port Reading the Reading's freight terminal? Thanks in advance for any info anyone can provide.

 

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