(erielack) M&E/Rahway Valley News

["TIMOTHY O. STUY" <njmidland_@_compuserve.com>]

From ProgressiveRailroading.com

Morristown & Erie Railway Inc. (M&E) recently filed an application with
Surface Transportation Board to rehabilitate and operate certain lines
owned
by Union County, N.J.

The 42-mile short line plans to activate the lines in four phases: (1)
former Staten Island Railway Corp. lines in Linden; (2) former Staten
Island
Railway lines in Cranford; (3) a former Rahway Valley Railroad Co.
Cranford-to-Union mainline; and (4) a former Rahway Valley Union-to-Summi=
t
mainline.

M&E and the county May 9 reached a 10-year operating agreement, under whi=
ch
M&E will rehabilitate Phase 1 and 2 lines (except for a specified
limitation
in Phase 2), and initiate rail service within six months.

M&E wouldn't begin rehabilitating or servicing Phase 3 lines until it
receives the county's written concurrence, at which time the short line
would be required to initiate service within nine months. M&E and the
county
in the future would have to agree on a timetable for the Phase 4 line.

Pending STB approval, M&E would interchange traffic with Conrail, Norfolk=

Southern Railway and CSX Transportation at Cranford, Linden and Bound
Brook,
N.J., and provide through service by exercising its right to operate over=

New Jersey Transit's line at Cranford Junction.

- -------

Question:  when was the last time that the Rahway Valley interchanged wit=
h
the EL at Summit?
Is the RV right of way to Summit intact?  I though a bridge had been
removed.

Tim

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