RE: (erielack) M&E/Rahway Valley News

["Tupaczewski, Paul R (Paul)" <paultup_@_lucent.com>]

This'll be a hoot, for sure. The Union-to-Summit main will require EXTENSIVE rehab, and yes, some bridges are out, including the critical one in Summit...

     - Paul

- -----Original Message-----
From: TIMOTHY O. STUY
To: erielack_@_railfan.net
Sent: 7/8/02 2:47 PM
Subject: (erielack) M&E/Rahway Valley News

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-Summit
mainline.

M&E and the county May 9 reached a 10-year operating agreement, under
which
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
with
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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