RE: (erielack) E-L action, 1973

["Tupaczewski, Paul R (Paul)" <paul.tupaczewski_@_alcatel-lucent.com>]

Paul B. wrote:


> These are outstanding photos, and moreover were taken on a 
> portion of EL in NJ that is under-represented in photos form 
> the 1970's. In fact, I had to pull out a map to figure out 
> exactly where they were taken. Both through freights must be 
> westbound Ordinaries CX to Port Jervis.

Be careful when you use the term "MUST" when describing EL operations. There's a good chance that one (or both) were Paterson Ordinaries as well (did the Port Jervis Ordinaries use the Bergen County Line side, or the Main Line side?)



> New Connection onto the old DLW main. The 3647 is on the 
> former DLW main (hence the signal bridge without signals). 

To be more specific about the location, it appears to be just west of the NJ Route 3 overpass, approaching Paterson Junction (how far off am I, Rich? :)


> The 3310 is at XW doing a setout or pickup move at the former 
> Erie Getty St yard (that's what my SPV atlas calls it). The 
> train has either traversed the Newark branch track in the 
> foreground, or was left behind and will do so after the yard 
> move;

It's actually Getty Ave. (not St. - there are mistakes like this throughout the SPV atlases, as good as they are)

It all depends on what train this is. If it's a Paterson Ordinary, he very well may be yarding his train at the end of his run. If it's a PO Ordinary, he could be setting out or picking up.

The track at the right is the portion of the Newark Branch that became the new "Main Line" once the Passaic center-city trackage was removed in 1963. A connection was made just east of this location to the original DL&W Boonton Line to create the new "EL Main Line."  The original Erie main line used to be the tracks to the left of the 3310, heading east towards Passaic at this location.



> it appears the idea was to avoid parking the train on 
> the steeply-graded portion of the branch. The Newark branch 
> connects with the DLW main about a mile and a half east at 
> Paterson Jct (the DLW main was abaondoned west of there).

I don't think he's parked, he's setting out or picking up.

BTW, the DL&W main was abandoned only between Paterson Jct. and Totowa, where the Totows Industrial Branch starts, and continues onto the EL Boonton Line at Mountain View.


> The 
> loco and cut are on what's left of the former Erie main 
> through Passaic, which evidently is now used as yard trackage.

Actually, the Erie main tracks are to the left of the left of the train, and continue a little west to serve Bay State Milling (which I think is still a customer for NS to this day?). Getty Ave. yard was always there in Erie days.

	- Paul

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