Hehe, how could I resist talking about a shortline in Jersey? This railroad reminds me a whole lot of the Washington & Old Dominion here in Virginia. Right down to the not-so-straight rails. And your track plan is getting better with each revision.
RVRR boxcar #2050 Rare? Hi Folks, I have posted a VERY exciting rare photo, I believe: It is at Kenilworth 1981. As it has ACI (Automatic Car Identification) scanner plates mandated by the F.R.A. in 1968 and were to be installed on all equipment by 1970. They were abandoned as impractical in 1978. After 1978 the plates could be removed, but many were never removed: as you can see. Can anyone identify the car type and rough build date of this 12 panel, peaked roof car? It has the Superior 6 panel door 10'-12'.
Rahway Valley Railroad: The little railroad that helped build Kenilworth There is a two issue article "Rahway Valley Railroad: The little railroad that helped build Kenilworth" The Cranford Chronicle, April/May 2011 by Dr. Walter Boright Very fine reading: http://www.trainsarefun.com/rvrr/rvrrbuiltkenilworth.htm
2011 and the press are still writing articles about the Rahway Valley. Very cool! I got a kick reading about the mothers who were afraid that their children would be harmed by a derailed train or that one might end up in their kitchen. This, from a train that crawled along in the area! Maybe the parents should not let their children play near the train when in motion. You think? "Kids... Stay away from the 70 tonner..."
RVRR Newspaper Articles Here's a page I just added about 10+ newspaper articles from 1900 to present. (courtesy of Richard King) http://www.trainsarefun.com/rvrr/rvrrnewsarticles.htm
Hi folks, Just wanted to quickly introduce myself -- I am modelling the RV during the early 70's in HO scale, kind of a freelanced prototype. I live near Springfield and have been scouting locations along the Springfield-Summit ROW (just love that old Springfield depot). So many main road crossings without gates -- can't fathom how no-one was ever killed! Last fall I started to venture across on the old Rahaway River bridge but chickened out -- too many rotted ties. Makes for a nice photo, though. Requests are welcome for anything I can help out with.
I live on Long Island, NY now, but grew up in Maplewood. My family and I are planning a trip back to my old neighborhood to show the kids "where dad grew up". Might have to take a detour to check out what's left of the Rahway Valley ROW also!
Funny thing, I went the opposite direction -- grew up on LI and now in Jersey. Lived in Maplewood for a short period -- wife taught at Clinton Elementary too -- and still my favorite town in Essex Cty. When you return to the 'hood, if you're truly in a RVRR state of mind, both diesels are on display nearby at the Whippany Railroad Museum.
#17 at Kenilworth 1978 Here's another shot of #17 busy in Kenilworth... OK, these hoppers appear in many late 1970's photos. What is the industry on the RVRR they are delivered to? Can anyone elaborate on the various covered/closed hoppers seen in these various photos? Since this photo has a well used gondola: Any speculation on it use: RVRR scrap, ties/rails, etc.?
RVRR modelers Folks:I have been contacted by a few of you about modeling the RVRR. Perhaps I can get you all to swap ideas,design, etc? Let me know as I can set up it. Also, my RVRR yahoo group is available: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/RahwayValleyRailroad/?yguid=102233950
RVRR siding: Freight car spot Just north of North Ave, Cranford, NJ c.1975 http://www.nyandw.com/images/acl.jpg
Box car #2050 was behind the passenger coach that the RVRR used as its offices in the Cahill years (1975-1986). I read somewhere that this box car had come from the Raritan River Railroad in South Amboy, NJ, which was taken over by Conrail in 1980 which may explain the Conrail logo spray painted over in the above photo. I believe that the Rahway Valley Railroad used this boxcar for filing space to keep all of their records, bill, receipts, etc. Info: Rich King The box car was Mr. Cahill's private office. There was a structure with windows built inside the sliding door which he would open in the morning and close at night so he had light and a view of the yard. I was only in there a couple of times and just remember it being an office - nothing fancy but you didn't know you were sitting in a box car either. I have a vague recollection that the end of the car away from the ex-LV office car was sectioned off and may well have been a file/storage room. Mr. Cahill was old school but a real gentleman. I often wish I'd had the opportunity to talk to him more and hear some more of his railroad stories. Among the employees he was simply "The Boss" and we all respected and admired him. This car is currently located on the NYS&W at the Rochelle Park, NJ station. Anyone know In what capacity? Anyone with a photo? So I can update the website: http://www.trainsarefun.com/rvrr/freightphotos/rvrrfreightroster.htm Thank you, Steve
Cranford Junction - New website Page http://www.trainsarefun.com/rvrr/cranfordjunction/cranfordjunction.htm RV #16 Cranford 11/01/71 Archive: Brian Woodruff
RVRR New Material - Aldene Photo view is from the Garden State Pkwy overpass. Exit #137 view E The Aldene Plan ramp was graded and built for double track for future expansion as needed. It has not been implemented since the first operational opening day: 4/30/1967 The 4 track CNJ mainline to Communipaw, NJ ferry terminal has been totally razed c. after 8/6/1978 dead ahead. It is fully grown over at this time. Federated Plastics siding is off to the right with a covered hopper on the siding. This siding connects to the SIRT switch just south of Cranford Junction near the ex-XC tower (razed <prior 1/01/1976). Center of photo, just right of the signal: white poles/red tops. These are fiber optic cable lays along the ex-ROW.
RVRR New Material - Aldene Map Aldene zoom insert (by Steven Lynch) - E. Robinson Co. 1906 Fire Insurance Map Union County plate #15 Research: Dr. Boright; author "Railroad that Build Kenilworth"
RVRR 1926 Pass A new RVRR pass: http://www.trainsarefun.com/rvrr/rvrrpaper.htm#Passes RVRR Pass 1926 signed by General Manager: Robert A. Clark (1920-1932) for Mr. C. W. Carling - Gen. Frt. Agent, Wharton & Northern RR 1926
Found this photo on Google Maps of the Broad Street overpass in Summit -- it's a double truss-- after I saw this I had to rip the girder bridge off my model (sigh...) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rv_railroad_research/
That's the infamous Broad Street bridge! That's the one that used to take the roof off the top front car on the car transporter's trailer when they tried to squeeze under. It's very low. The car dealership I used to work at is just beyond the bridge, on the right. I worked there back in 1979. The bridge isn't there anymore. (double sigh...)
RVRR RVRR - CNJ Interchange - Abandoned ex-RVRR abandoned connection with CNJ trackage view W, Alden ramp track center http://www.trainsarefun.com/rvrr/cranfordjunction/cranfordjunction.htm#RVRR-Aldene
If you continue along the ROW, you'll come to CSX's Elizabethport ("Eport") yard, where tank cars are transloaded into tanker trucks. (I've worked that job when it had a crew of three. It has since been converted to RCO.) Dieter Zakas
