The CNJ, in bankruptcy since 1967, had to get creative to make improvements. The efficiencies of push pull trains were obvious, but there was no way they could pay for new equipment. As it was, it took a long time to get their new GP40Ps in the late 60s. So the cab cars were home built, from 1925 era coaches, modified with a cab and control stand. The fronts were sealed off, and given scare stripes. We see one from the PATH train, just east of Harrison, which was(and is, except the paranoid Port Authority will now chase you off if youre taking photos) a great place to watch NJT and Amtrak. This view also gives a cross section of the action here. The track on the right with the third rail is the PATH, once the Pennsy's own rapid transit connection to lower Manhattan. The tracks under the signal bridge are the Northeast Corridor, the former Pennsy main to New York and Jersey City. Beyond them, the westbound PATH track with its third rail. Past the open area, you can see another set of catenary supports. That's the ex DLW Morristown Line to Dover, its trains running out of the Lackawanna's Hoboken Terminal. They are adjacent to, but do not in this era, connect with, the Corridor. A connection will be built later on that allows trains off the Corridor to access Hoboken, and vice versa, allowing a midtown connection for NJ Transit trains off the Morristown Line to Penn Station. Beyond the DLW, we see a Conrail local freight, probably working Hartz Mountain, which had a large plant here. Lots going on. |