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From: tommy meehan tmeehan0421 AT gmail DOT com
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2017 14:08:56 -0400
Subject: NRRNJ Service to Monsey on the Piermont Branch
"NRRNJ_Val_ICC_1930.jpg" - image/jpeg, 453x427 (24bit)

Some years back I began looking at archived news articles in local
libraries to see what I could learn about the beginnings of the old
Northern Railroad of New Jersey. One of the surprising things I found was,
in the 1860s Northern passenger service was extended to Monsey NY on the
Piermont Branch. It's been a while but I believe one of the reasons for
this was to provide better passenger service to the towns along the
Piermont Branch with a more direct route to New York City. By the early
1850s the Erie had rerouted most of its passenger service away from
Piermont (and the steamboat connection to New York). The Northern service
began about 1860 though I don't recall exactly when service to Monsey
began. It was pretty early but I think at least the first couple of years
Northern trains originated/terminated at Piermont. I'm attaching an image
from a Traveler's Guide published in 1867 showing that by then three of six
westbound trains terminated at Monsey. Interestingly, this was when NRRNJ
was still being independently operated. Like many of the early, local roads
(the New York & Greenwood Lake being another) the Northern was promoted by
local interests but once it was up and running it did not produce adequate
revenue to support itself. By the end of 1868 the Northern was being
operated by the Erie. I'm attaching a segment from a 1930 ICC Valuation
report that gives the exact dates.

I'm attaching another image, from an 1870 Official Guide, showing four
NRRNJ trains each way running to Monsey. By then the extension to Nyack was
about finished and a schedule (also attached) from an 1871 Official Guide
shows NRRNJ service to Monsey had ended.

As for passenger service on the Piermont Branch, it continued, though
mostly shuttles. Trains to and from Sparkill usually seemed to have a
Northern connection. After New Jersey & New York was completed to Spring
Valley, several NJ&NY trains would operate over the Piermont Branch to
Suffern. I'm attaching scans of an April 1835 and April 1937 Official Guide
listing showing the remaining service. I think the 600 series trains are
NJ&NY run throughs, the 800 series trains are Branch locals and the 1100
series trains connect to Northern trains (though I don't believe any ran
through).

Also attached, an April 1939 listing showing passenger service east of
Nanuet had ended. Finally a scan of a May 1942 Official Guide shows the
Piermont Branch has become freight service only, no more passenger trains.

Btw, I apologize for the fact some of the scans are fairly small but most
are actually screen captures converted to jpegs.

tommy meehan


NRRNJ_Val_ICC_1930.jpg

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