RAILforum: NJ Transit - Bergen-Shore Exp.-Summer 86&87

This is topic NJ Transit - Bergen-Shore Exp.-Summer 86&87 in forum Commuter Trains at RAILforum.

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Posted by BigBlue11 (Member # 1478) on :

Let's hear some stories and memories about trips to the beach and this short lived train service.

I rode 'em both seasons from Radburn and Rutherford stations (because the trains would "blow by" the 2 stations in my town).

Recall excellent service in 1986 with new 40 locomotives hauling Comet I coaches w/reversable and comfortable 2-2 seating. Most trains held to the schedule.

Both seasons would see a single locomotive hauling 10 full coaches. The big U34CH's were used during the last season. They got to sprint on the corridor !

Posted by Stevepel3372 (Member # 1484) on :

I don't have any memorable moments on the Bergan Shore Express. I do however remember riding the last run of the U-34's in August of 1994. They had the 4172 on the west end and the NJT Disco Stripe 4176 on the east end. It was a nice trip that toured almost every line on the Hoboken Division. I believe the 4172 was used by NJT in work train service until Jan. of 1995.

Posted by Derek Fenton (Member # 1483) on :

How far apart are the beach and the train stations on the North Jersey Coastline?

Posted by gct29 (Member # 1551) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Derek Fenton:
How far apart are the beach and the train stations on the North Jersey Coastline?
D

About a 15-minute walk from most stations south of Long Branch. Best beaches are south of Belmar. Often a nice walk, as many of the towns have retained much of their Victorian architecture.

Bergen Shore Express -- is that the same run that started in Port Jervis around that time? Why did it end? I heard it was well patronized.

Posted by irishchieftain (Member # 1473) on :

quote:
Originally posted by gct29:
Bergen Shore Express—is that the same run that started in Port Jervis around that time? Why did it end? I heard it was well patronized.

AFAIK, it started in Suffern and not Port Jervis. Since I never got to use it, I can't verify how well it was patronized, but since it's no longer around, I'd say that's a testament to how well or poorly it did. Pity, too, since the current Waterfront Connection offers a safer (if marginally faster) way of getting from the Morris & Essex tracks to the Northeast Corridor tracks than the Center Street Branch did (the connection used thereof having been removed in the early 1990s).

Posted by gct29 (Member # 1551) on :

I guess they just had connections to P.J. at Suffern. Makes more sense. Glad you mentioned the Center Street Branch. I always wondered how they did that pre-Waterfront. Was there a back-up involved?

Posted by jrr7 (Member # 1475) on :

There was a long thread on the late lamented railroad.net about this.

Yes, I think there was a reverse move involved, and a manual switch throw.

The first year was quite well patronized, likely because gasoline prices were high. NJT gathered up extra equipment and expanded service for the second year...and nobody showed.