Jump to content

Main Line (NJ Transit): Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
BattyBot (talk | contribs)
Bots
1,920,195 edits
→‎Service: Remove sentence on Main Line/Bergen County Line trains extending services to Port Jervis, according to timetable, that doesn't happen.
 
(10 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
{{More citations needed|date=December 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox rail line
{{Infobox rail line
|name = Main Line
| name = Main Line
|color = {{rcr|NJ Transit|Main}}
| color = {{rcr|NJ Transit|Main}}
|logo = MainLine.svg
| logo = MainLine.svg
|logo_width = 50px
| logo_width = 50px
|image = Ramsey, NJ, train station.jpg
| image = Ramsey, NJ, train station.jpg
⚫
| caption = A Main Line train led by a [[GP40PH-2|GP40PH-2B]] at [[Ramsey station (NJT)|Ramsey]].
|image_width = 300px
⚫
| type = [[Commuter rail]]
⚫
|caption = A Main Line train led by a [[GP40PH-2|GP40PH-2B]] at [[Ramsey station (NJT)|Ramsey]].
⚫
| system = [[New Jersey Transit Rail Operations]]<br />[[Metro-North Railroad]]
⚫
|type = [[Commuter rail]]
⚫
| status =
⚫
|system = [[New Jersey Transit Rail Operations]]<br />[[Metro-North Railroad]]
⚫
| locale = [[North Jersey|Northern New Jersey]] and [[Hudson Valley]], [[New York (state)|New York]], United States
⚫
|status =
| start = [[Hoboken Terminal]]
⚫
|locale = [[North Jersey|Northern New Jersey]] and [[Hudson Valley]], [[New York (state)|New York]], United States
|start = [[Hoboken Terminal]]
| end = [[Suffern (NJT station)|Suffern]]
|end = [[Suffern (NJT station)|Suffern]]
| stations = 18
⚫
| daily_ridership = 9,160<ref name="boardings">[https://webfiles.berkeley.edu/~lensovet/njtboardingdata.htm ]{{dead link|date=January 2018}}</ref>
|stations = 18
|routes =
| open =
⚫
| owner = [[NJ Transit Rail Operations]]
⚫
|daily_ridership = 9,160<ref name="boardings">[https://webfiles.berkeley.edu/~lensovet/njtboardingdata.htm ]{{dead link|date=January 2018}}</ref>
⚫
| operator = NJ Transit Rail Operations
|open =
|close =
| character =
⚫
| stock = [[EMD F40PH|F40PH-3C]]/[[GP40PH-2]]/[[ALP-45DP]]/[[PL42AC|PL42AC locomotives]]<br />[[Comet (railcar)|Comet V]]/[[Bombardier MultiLevel Coach|Multilevel coaches]]
⚫
|owner = [[NJ Transit Rail Operations]]
| linelength_mi = 95
⚫
|operator = NJ Transit Rail Operations
⚫
| gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg|allk=on}}
|character =
⚫
| electrification =
⚫
|stock = [[EMD F40PH|F40PH-3C]]/[[GP40PH-2]]/[[ALP-45DP]]/[[PL42AC|PL42AC locomotives]]<br />[[Comet (railcar)|Comet V]]/[[Bombardier MultiLevel Coach|Multilevel coaches]]
⚫
| speed =
|linelength =
⚫
| map = {{NJTransit-Main-infobox}}
|tracklength = {{convert|152.9|km|mi|abbr=on}}
⚫
| map_state = collapsed
|tracks =
⚫
|gauge = {{RailGauge|sg}}
⚫
|electrification =
⚫
|speed =
|elevation =
⚫
|map = {{NJTransit-Main-infobox}}
⚫
|map_state = collapsed
}}
}}


The '''Main Line''' (or '''Erie Main Line''') is a [[commuter rail]] line owned and operated by [[New Jersey Transit]] running from [[Suffern, New York|Suffern]], [[New York (state)|New York]] to [[Hoboken, New Jersey|Hoboken]], [[New Jersey]], in the United States. It runs daily commuter service and was once the north–south main line of the [[Erie Railroad]]. It is colored yellow on NJ Transit system maps, and its symbol is a [[water wheel]].<ref>[http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/rail/Rail_System_Map.pdfMap.pdf] {{dead link|date=December 2018}}</ref>
The '''Main Line''' (or '''Erie Main Line''') is a [[commuter rail]] line owned and operated by [[New Jersey Transit]] running from [[Suffern, New York|Suffern]], [[New York (state)|New York]] to [[Hoboken, New Jersey|Hoboken]], [[New Jersey]], in the United States. It runs daily commuter service and was once the north–south main line of the [[Erie Railroad]]. It is colored yellow on NJ Transit system maps, and its symbol is a [[water wheel]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NJT System Map |url=https://content.njtransit.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/maps/NJT%20System%20Map%20April%202023.pdf |publisher=NJT |access-date=29 May 2023}}</ref>


The [[Bergen County Line]] splits off the Main Line just west of the [[Secaucus Junction]] transfer station and rejoins it at [[Ridgewood, New Jersey|Ridgewood]]. Trains on both lines are [[push-pull train|push-pull]], powered by diesel locomotives (ordinarily on the west end of the train).
The [[Bergen County Line]] splits off the Main Line just west of the [[Secaucus Junction]] transfer station and rejoins it at [[Ridgewood, New Jersey|Ridgewood]]. Trains on both lines are [[push-pull train|push-pull]], powered by diesel locomotives (ordinarily on the west end of the train).
Line 42: Line 36:
The [[Erie Railroad]]'s main line ran from [[Jersey City]] to [[Chicago]] via [[Binghamton, New York|Binghamton]] and [[Jamestown, New York]], [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]] and [[Marion, Ohio]], and [[Huntington, Indiana]], with branches to [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]], [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]], and [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]]. The section in New Jersey and lower New York State saw frequent commuter service to the waterfront [[Pavonia Terminal]], Jersey City, with connections to the [[Pavonia Ferry]] to [[Lower Manhattan]].
The [[Erie Railroad]]'s main line ran from [[Jersey City]] to [[Chicago]] via [[Binghamton, New York|Binghamton]] and [[Jamestown, New York]], [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]] and [[Marion, Ohio]], and [[Huntington, Indiana]], with branches to [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]], [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]], and [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]]. The section in New Jersey and lower New York State saw frequent commuter service to the waterfront [[Pavonia Terminal]], Jersey City, with connections to the [[Pavonia Ferry]] to [[Lower Manhattan]].


The Erie Railroad's major long-distance passenger trains to [[Chicago]], the ''[[Atlantic Express and Pacific Express]],'' the ''[[Erie Limited]]'', and the ''[[Lake Cities (train)|Lake Cities]],'' ran along this section, through Passaic, [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]], Ridgewood, on to [[Port Jervis]], northwest to [[Binghamton]], New York State's [[Southern Tier]], [[Jamestown, New York|Jamestown]], and west to Chicago. The long-distance train along this route was the ''Atlantic Express and Pacific Express'' in 1965.<ref>'Official Guide of the Railways,' June 1961, Table 3</ref>
The Erie Railroad's major long-distance passenger trains to [[Chicago]], the ''[[Atlantic Express and Pacific Express]],'' the ''[[Erie Limited]]'', and the ''[[Lake Cities (train)|Lake Cities]],'' ran along this section, through Passaic, [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]], Ridgewood, on to [[Port Jervis]], northwest to [[Binghamton]], New York State's [[Southern Tier]], [[Jamestown, New York|Jamestown]], and west to Chicago. The final long-distance train along this route was the ''Atlantic Express and Pacific Express'' in 1965.<ref>'Official Guide of the Railways,' June 1961, Table 3</ref>
[[File:Roger Puta took these 5 during a cab ride on from EL freight NY-97 on April 25, 1970 (23777886193).jpg|thumb|left|Trains at the Erie Lackawanna rail yard in Waldwick on April 25, 1970]]
[[File:Roger Puta took these 5 during a cab ride on from EL freight NY-97 on April 25, 1970 (23777886193).jpg|thumb|left|Trains at the Erie Lackawanna rail yard in Waldwick on April 25, 1970]]
In 1963, the Erie Main Line south of [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]] to its connection with the Bergen County Line at [[Carlton Hill (Erie Railroad station)|Carlton Hill]] in [[Rutherford, New Jersey|Rutherford]] was abandoned and service began using the former [[Lackawanna Railroad|Lackawanna]] [[Boonton Branch]] south of Paterson via the [[Lyndhurst Draw]] and [[Upper Hack Lift]] bridges as the route through downtown [[Passaic, New Jersey|Passaic]] was abandoned. Boonton Line service began using the Erie's Greenwood Lake division up to its junction the Lackawanna Boonton Branch at Mountain View in Wayne as the Lackawanna right-of-way in Paterson was used for the construction of [[Interstate 80]]. The Erie Jersey City terminal was abandoned circa 1959 after all Erie service had moved to the Lackawanna Hoboken Terminal.
In 1963, the Erie Main Line south of [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]] to its connection with the Bergen County Line at [[Carlton Hill (Erie Railroad station)|Carlton Hill]] in [[Rutherford, New Jersey|Rutherford]] was abandoned and service began using the former [[Lackawanna Railroad|Lackawanna]] [[Boonton Branch]] south of Paterson via the [[Lyndhurst Draw]] and [[Upper Hack Lift]] bridges as the route through downtown [[Passaic, New Jersey|Passaic]] was abandoned. Boonton Line service began using the Erie's Greenwood Lake division up to its junction the Lackawanna Boonton Branch at Mountain View in Wayne as the Lackawanna right-of-way in Paterson was used for the construction of [[Interstate 80]]. The Erie Jersey City terminal was abandoned circa 1959 after all Erie service had moved to the Lackawanna Hoboken Terminal.


Service under Erie Lackawanna introduced new [[GE U34CH]] diesels and Comet I cars in 1970 which lasted under NJ DOT and Conrail into the NJ Transit era. Metro-North took over service north of Suffern in 1983. Effective April 18, 1983, [[Metro-North Railroad]] shifted its [[Port Jervis Line]] service to run on the [[Graham Line]], thus ending the direct passenger route from Harriman through Monroe and Goshen to Middletown. Service was increased along with the opening of the Secaucus Transfer station in late 2003.
Service under Erie Lackawanna introduced new [[GE U34CH]] diesels and Comet I cars in 1970 which lasted under NJ DOT and Conrail into the NJ Transit era. Metro-North took over service north of Suffern in 1983. Effective April 18, 1983, [[Metro-North Railroad]] shifted its [[Port Jervis Line]] service to run on the [[Graham Line]], thus ending the direct passenger route from Harriman through Monroe and Goshen to Middletown. Service was increased along with the opening of the [[Secaucus Junction]] station in late 2003.


=== 1996 Secaucus collision ===
=== 1996 Secaucus collision ===
Line 52: Line 46:


==Service==
==Service==
Departing the historic 1907-built [[Hoboken Terminal]], the yards for the coaches to the left, trains pass over two city streets and the [[Hudson Bergen Light Rail]] before entering the [[Bergen Tunnels]] under the [[Bergen Hill]] section of [[Hudson Palisades]]. Midway through the tunnel there are air shafts allowing light through and venting out the diesel fumes. Exiting the tunnel, the train curves right onto the Main Line at West End interlocking in [[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]]. Until 1963 this was the DL&W Boonton Branch; about a mile ahead was the connection built circa 1956 with the Erie main line (that after 1963 became the Bergen County Line). Two trains collided head-on here in 1996, killing two engineers and a passenger. [[New Jersey Turnpike]] Interchange 15X is now on the Erie alignment, since in 2003 the Bergen County line was rerouted parallel to the Main Line to pass through [[Secaucus Junction]].
Departing the historic 1907-built [[Hoboken Terminal]], the yards for the coaches to the left, trains pass over two city streets and the [[Hudson Bergen Light Rail]] before entering the [[Bergen Tunnels]] under the [[Bergen Hill]] section of [[Hudson Palisades]]. Midway through the tunnel there are air shafts allowing light through and venting out the diesel fumes. Exiting the tunnel, the train curves right onto the Main Line at West End interlocking in [[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]]. Until 1963 this was the DL&W Boonton Branch; about a mile ahead was the connection built circa 1956 with the Erie main line (that after 1963 became the Bergen County Line). Two trains collided head-on here in 1996, killing two engineers and a passenger. The ramps for [[New Jersey Turnpike]] Interchange 15X now occupy the Erie alignment-- since the Bergen County line was rerouted adjacent to the Main Line to pass through [[Secaucus Junction]].


At [[Secaucus Junction]], all trains stop for passengers to change to and from [[Northeast Corridor Line]], [[North Jersey Coast Line]], [[Raritan Valley Line]] and Midtown Direct trains on the [[Morristown Line]], the [[Gladstone Branch]], and the [[Montclair-Boonton Line]] on the upper level.
At [[Secaucus Junction]], all trains stop for passengers to change to and from [[Northeast Corridor Line]], [[North Jersey Coast Line]], [[Raritan Valley Line]] and Midtown Direct trains on the [[Morristown Line]], the [[Gladstone Branch]], and the [[Montclair-Boonton Line]] on the upper level.
Line 74: Line 68:
[[Allendale, New Jersey|Allendale]] and [[Ramsey, New Jersey|Ramsey]] follow, both as grade-level stations. Ramsey-Route 17 station (opened August 22, 2004) is next. It is a park-and-ride facility located off of [[Route 17 (New Jersey)|Route 17]]&nbsp;south in Ramsey.
[[Allendale, New Jersey|Allendale]] and [[Ramsey, New Jersey|Ramsey]] follow, both as grade-level stations. Ramsey-Route 17 station (opened August 22, 2004) is next. It is a park-and-ride facility located off of [[Route 17 (New Jersey)|Route 17]]&nbsp;south in Ramsey.


[[Mahwah, New Jersey|Mahwah]] follows and is the last station in New Jersey. Crossing over the [[New York (state)|New York]] state line the train arrives at [[Suffern, New York|Suffern]], the last stop for most trains. Some trains continue via [[Metro-North]]'s [[Port Jervis Line]] to the north end of passenger operations at [[Port Jervis (Metro-North station)|Port Jervis]]. The yards are just to the north of the Suffern station, under the [[New York State Thruway]] overpass.
[[Mahwah, New Jersey|Mahwah]] follows and is the last station in New Jersey. Crossing over the [[New York (state)|New York]] state line the train arrives at [[Suffern, New York|Suffern]], the last stop for NJT Main Line trains.


==Rolling stock==
==Rolling stock==
Line 83: Line 77:
{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" |State
! rowspan="2" |State
!rowspan=2|Zone<ref name="schedule">{{cite web|url=http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/rail/R0020.pdf|title=Main&nbsp;/ Bergen County Lines Timetables - November 19, 2014 edition|year=2010|publisher=New Jersey Transit Rail Operations|access-date=November 26, 2014|location=New York, New York}}</ref>
!rowspan=2|Zone<ref name="schedule">{{cite web|url=http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/rail/R0020.pdf|title=Main&nbsp;/ Bergen County Lines Timetables - November 19, 2014 edition|year=2010|publisher=New Jersey Transit Rail Operations|access-date=November 26, 2014|location=New York, New York|archive-date=January 24, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020124084043/http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/rail/r0020.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
! rowspan="2" |Location
! rowspan="2" |Location
! rowspan="2" |Station<ref name="schedule" />
! rowspan="2" |Station<ref name="schedule" />
Line 104: Line 98:
|
|
| ● || ● || ●
| ● || ● || ●
|[[NJ Transit Rail]]: [[Gladstone Branch|Gladstone]], [[Meadowlands Rail Line|Meadowlands]], [[Montclair-Boonton Line|Montclair-Boonton]], [[Morristown Line|Morristown]], [[North Jersey Coast Line|North Jersey Coast]], [[Pascack Valley Line|Pascack Valley]], and [[Raritan Valley Line|Raritan Valley]] Lines<br />[[Hudson-Bergen Light Rail]]: 8th Street-Hoboken, Hoboken-Tonnelle lines<br />[[PATH (rail system)|PATH]]: [[HOB-WTC]], [[HOB-33]], [[JSQ-33 (via HOB)]]<br />[[NJ Transit Bus]]: {{NJ bus link|22|23|63|64|68|85|87|89|126}}<br />[[New York Waterway]] to [[Battery Park City Ferry Terminal|Battery Park City]]
|[[NJ Transit Rail]]: [[Bergen County Line|Bergen County]], [[Gladstone Branch|Gladstone]], [[Meadowlands Rail Line| Meadowlands]], [[Montclair-Boonton Line|Montclair-Boonton]], [[Morristown Line|Morristown]], [[North Jersey Coast Line|North Jersey Coast]], [[Pascack Valley Line|Pascack Valley]], and [[Raritan Valley Line|Raritan Valley]] Lines<br />[[Hudson-Bergen Light Rail]]: 8th Street-Hoboken, Hoboken-Tonnelle lines<br />[[PATH (rail system)|PATH]]: [[HOB-WTC]], [[HOB-33]], [[JSQ-33 (via HOB)]]<br />[[NJ Transit Bus]]: {{NJ bus link|22|23|63|64|68|85|87|89|126}}<br />[[New York Waterway]] to [[Battery Park City Ferry Terminal|Battery Park City]]
|-
|-
|[[Secaucus, New Jersey|Secaucus]]
|[[Secaucus, New Jersey|Secaucus]]
Line 112: Line 106:
|
|
| ● || ● || ●
| ● || ● || ●
|NJ Transit Rail (upper level): Gladstone, Montclair-Boonton, Morristown, [[Northeast Corridor Line|Northeast Corridor]], North Jersey Coast, and Raritan Valley lines<br />NJ Transit Rail (lower level): Meadowlands and Pascack Valley lines<br />NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|2|78|129|329|353}}
|NJ Transit Rail (upper level): Gladstone, Montclair-Boonton, Morristown, [[Northeast Corridor Line|Northeast Corridor]], North Jersey Coast, and Raritan Valley lines<br />NJ Transit Rail (lower level): Bergen County, Meadowlands, and Pascack Valley lines<br />NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|2|78|129|329|353}}
|-
|-
|rowspan=2|2
|rowspan=2|2
Line 284: Line 278:
*{{cite book |last1=Mott |first1=Edward Harold |title=Between the Ocean and the Lakes: The Story of Erie |date=1899 |publisher=John S. Collins |location=New York, New York |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=exElAAAAMAAJ |access-date=July 29, 2020}}
*{{cite book |last1=Mott |first1=Edward Harold |title=Between the Ocean and the Lakes: The Story of Erie |date=1899 |publisher=John S. Collins |location=New York, New York |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=exElAAAAMAAJ |access-date=July 29, 2020}}
*{{cite book|title=Ridgewood, Bergen County, New Jersey, Past and Present|date=December 1916|publisher=Citizens Semi-Centennial Association|location=[[Ridgewood, New Jersey]]|url=https://archive.org/details/ridgewoodbergen00ridgoog|access-date=August 20, 2017|ref={{harvid|Citizens Semi-Centennial Association|1916}} }}
*{{cite book|title=Ridgewood, Bergen County, New Jersey, Past and Present|date=December 1916|publisher=Citizens Semi-Centennial Association|location=[[Ridgewood, New Jersey]]|url=https://archive.org/details/ridgewoodbergen00ridgoog|access-date=August 20, 2017|ref={{harvid|Citizens Semi-Centennial Association|1916}} }}
*{{cite book|last1=Wardell|first1=Patricia Webb|title=Allendale: Background of a Borough|date=1994|publisher=Allendale Historical Society|location=[[Allendale, New Jersey]]|url=http://www.johnfellhouse.org/allendale/|access-date=August 18, 2017}}
*{{cite book|last1=Wardell|first1=Patricia Webb|title=Allendale: Background of a Borough|date=1994|publisher=Allendale Historical Society|location=[[Allendale, New Jersey]]|url=http://www.johnfellhouse.org/allendale/|access-date=August 18, 2017|archive-date=August 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816233234/http://www.johnfellhouse.org/allendale/|url-status=dead}}
*{{cite book|last1=Van Valen|first1=James M.|title=History of Bergen County, New Jersey|date=1900|publisher=New Jersey Publishing and Engraving Company|location=[[New York, New York]]|url=https://archive.org/details/historybergenco00valegoog|access-date=August 18, 2017}}
*{{cite book|last1=Van Valen|first1=James M.|title=History of Bergen County, New Jersey|date=1900|publisher=New Jersey Publishing and Engraving Company|location=[[New York, New York]]|url=https://archive.org/details/historybergenco00valegoog|access-date=August 18, 2017}}
*{{cite book|last=Yanosey|first=Robert J.|title=Lackawanna Railroad Facilities (In Color)|publisher=Morning Sun Books Inc.|location=[[Scotch Plains, New Jersey]]|year=2007|volume=1: Hoboken to Dover|isbn=978-1-58248-214-9}}
*{{cite book|last=Yanosey|first=Robert J.|title=Lackawanna Railroad Facilities (In Color)|publisher=Morning Sun Books Inc.|location=[[Scotch Plains, New Jersey]]|year=2007|volume=1: Hoboken to Dover|isbn=978-1-58248-214-9}}

Latest revision as of 20:59, 20 May 2024

Main Line
A Main Line train led by a GP40PH-2B at Ramsey.
Overview
OwnerNJ Transit Rail Operations
LocaleNorthern New Jersey and Hudson Valley, New York, United States
Termini
Stations18
Service
TypeCommuter rail
SystemNew Jersey Transit Rail Operations
Metro-North Railroad
Operator(s)NJ Transit Rail Operations
Rolling stockF40PH-3C/GP40PH-2/ALP-45DP/PL42AC locomotives
Comet V/Multilevel coaches
Daily ridership9,160[1]
Technical
Line length95 mi (153 km)
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Route map

Legend
Port Jervis Line
to Port Jervis
30.6 mi
49.2 km
 Suffern Yard
Piermont Branch
30.5 mi
49.1 km
 Suffern
NY
NJ
border
29.1 mi
46.8 km
 Mahwah
(limited service for MNRR)
Ellipse sign 17.svg Route 17
27.9 mi
44.9 km
 Ramsey Route 17
26.5 mi
42.6 km
 Ramsey
24.6 mi
39.6 km
 Allendale
23.5 mi
37.8 km
Waldwick Yard
23.2 mi
37.3 km
 Waldwick
22.1 mi
35.6 km
 Ho-Ho-Kus
20.9 mi
33.6 km
 Ridgewood
20.2 mi
32.5 km
Ridgewood Junction
 BCL
via Fair Lawn
19.4 mi
31.2 km
 Glen Rock–Main Line
Ellipse sign 208.svg Route 208
17.7 mi
28.5 km
 Hawthorne
New York, Susquehanna
& Western RR
Passaic River
River Street
15.6 mi
25.1 km
 Paterson
I-80.svg I-80
Erie Main Line
South Paterson
Boonton Branch
GSPkwy Shield.svg G.S. Parkway
Newark Branch
US 46.svg US 46
12.2 mi
19.6 km
 Clifton
10.6 mi
17.1 km
 Passaic
9.3 mi
15 km
 Delawanna
Ellipse sign 3.svg Route 3
Elongated circle 21.svg Route 21
Lyndhurst Draw (Passaic River)
8.2 mi
13.2 km
 Lyndhurst
Ellipse sign 17.svg Route 17
7.6 mi
12.2 km
 Kingsland
Harrison Cut-off
Kingsland Tunnel
I-95.svgNew Jersey Turnpike Shield.svg I-95 /
N.J. Turnpike
Western Spur
Upper Hack Lift (Hackensack River)
 BCL
via Fair Lawn
I-95.svgNew Jersey Turnpike Shield.svg I-95 /
N.J. Turnpike
Eastern Spur
Northeast Corridor
3.5 mi
5.6 km
 Secaucus Junction
former alignment
New York & Greenwood Lake
Boonton Line
Morris & Essex Lines/M&E via Hackettstown
Bergen Tunnels
0.0 mi
0 km
 Hoboken Terminal
ferry/water interchangeHudson–Bergen Light RailPort Authority Trans-Hudson
Hudson River
This diagram:

The Main Line (or Erie Main Line) is a commuter rail line owned and operated by New Jersey Transit running from Suffern, New York to Hoboken, New Jersey, in the United States. It runs daily commuter service and was once the north–south main line of the Erie Railroad. It is colored yellow on NJ Transit system maps, and its symbol is a water wheel.[2]

The Bergen County Line splits off the Main Line just west of the Secaucus Junction transfer station and rejoins it at Ridgewood. Trains on both lines are push-pull, powered by diesel locomotives (ordinarily on the west end of the train).

History[edit]

The Erie Railroad's main line ran from Jersey City to Chicago via Binghamton and Jamestown, New York, Akron and Marion, Ohio, and Huntington, Indiana, with branches to Buffalo, Cleveland, and Dayton. The section in New Jersey and lower New York State saw frequent commuter service to the waterfront Pavonia Terminal, Jersey City, with connections to the Pavonia Ferry to Lower Manhattan.

The Erie Railroad's major long-distance passenger trains to Chicago, the Atlantic Express and Pacific Express, the Erie Limited, and the Lake Cities, ran along this section, through Passaic, Paterson, Ridgewood, on to Port Jervis, northwest to Binghamton, New York State's Southern Tier, Jamestown, and west to Chicago. The final long-distance train along this route was the Atlantic Express and Pacific Express in 1965.[3]

Trains at the Erie Lackawanna rail yard in Waldwick on April 25, 1970

In 1963, the Erie Main Line south of Paterson to its connection with the Bergen County Line at Carlton Hill in Rutherford was abandoned and service began using the former Lackawanna Boonton Branch south of Paterson via the Lyndhurst Draw and Upper Hack Lift bridges as the route through downtown Passaic was abandoned. Boonton Line service began using the Erie's Greenwood Lake division up to its junction the Lackawanna Boonton Branch at Mountain View in Wayne as the Lackawanna right-of-way in Paterson was used for the construction of Interstate 80. The Erie Jersey City terminal was abandoned circa 1959 after all Erie service had moved to the Lackawanna Hoboken Terminal.

Service under Erie Lackawanna introduced new GE U34CH diesels and Comet I cars in 1970 which lasted under NJ DOT and Conrail into the NJ Transit era. Metro-North took over service north of Suffern in 1983. Effective April 18, 1983, Metro-North Railroad shifted its Port Jervis Line service to run on the Graham Line, thus ending the direct passenger route from Harriman through Monroe and Goshen to Middletown. Service was increased along with the opening of the Secaucus Junction station in late 2003.

1996 Secaucus collision[edit]

On February 9, 1996, a Main Line train was involved in a collision with a Bergen County Line train in Secaucus.

Service[edit]

Departing the historic 1907-built Hoboken Terminal, the yards for the coaches to the left, trains pass over two city streets and the Hudson Bergen Light Rail before entering the Bergen Tunnels under the Bergen Hill section of Hudson Palisades. Midway through the tunnel there are air shafts allowing light through and venting out the diesel fumes. Exiting the tunnel, the train curves right onto the Main Line at West End interlocking in Jersey City. Until 1963 this was the DL&W Boonton Branch; about a mile ahead was the connection built circa 1956 with the Erie main line (that after 1963 became the Bergen County Line). Two trains collided head-on here in 1996, killing two engineers and a passenger. The ramps for New Jersey Turnpike Interchange 15X now occupy the Erie alignment-- since the Bergen County line was rerouted adjacent to the Main Line to pass through Secaucus Junction.

At Secaucus Junction, all trains stop for passengers to change to and from Northeast Corridor Line, North Jersey Coast Line, Raritan Valley Line and Midtown Direct trains on the Morristown Line, the Gladstone Branch, and the Montclair-Boonton Line on the upper level.

The Main Line then runs through an industrial section of Secaucus. Shortly afterwards the Bergen County Line curves right on its new connection to the Erie alignment. The Main Line then crosses over the Hackensack River on the single-track Upper Hack Lift bridge, built in 1958.

Double track resumes under the New Jersey Turnpike's western spur after 0.4 mile of single track. The train continues through the Meadowlands and passes the first grade crossing at Valley Brook Avenue in Lyndhurst. The line curves slightly and passes through the 1903 Kingsland tunnel. Kingsland station is shortly after the tunnel in an open cut. Just beyond Kingsland station is Lyndhurst station, on an embankment.

After Lyndhurst the train crosses the Passaic River on a swing bridge that has been bolted shut (although it is technically required by Federal regulation to be opened on 24 hours notice).[4] The train passes under Route 3 and approaches Delawanna station.

Next stop is Passaic, on an embankment. After Passaic, the Main Line has a stretch through some industrial areas before the Clifton station, also on an embankment.

The Main Line passes under U.S. Route 46 and the Garden State Parkway before it crosses under and over several streets in south Paterson. It leaves the DL&W Boonton Branch alignment at about 40°53′10″N 74°10′01″W / 40.886°N 74.167°W / 40.886; -74.167 and reaches the Erie Main Line alignment at 40°54′18″N 74°09′50″W / 40.905°N 74.164°W / 40.905; -74.164. This connection was single track when built circa 1963, then double-tracked in a rehabilitation project in 2002. The line passes under Interstate 80 and heads into downtown Paterson. The Erie station in Paterson is elevated, with a center platform.

Continuing north the Main Line is elevated through Paterson, passing over streets. After several grade crossings in an industrial area, the tracks cross the Passaic River on a truss bridge. Hawthorne is the next stop, at grade level. After a long stretch, the train reaches Glen Rock station, at grade level at a crossing.

After Glen Rock the Main Line merges with the Bergen County Line at Ridgewood Junction. The line widens to three tracks (in Erie days the line was four tracks from here to Suffern NY). Ridgewood station is next, with Spanish-style design on the station building and with newly constructed high-level platforms.

Next is Ho-Ho-Kus, also at grade. Waldwick follows with an abandoned station building on the northbound side and a footbridge connecting the two platforms. Waldwick Yard is just north of the station with the restored WC tower on the southbound side by the yard. Just following Waldwick Yard is a grade crossing. North of the grade crossing (which has three tracks) the line becomes two tracks.

Allendale and Ramsey follow, both as grade-level stations. Ramsey-Route 17 station (opened August 22, 2004) is next. It is a park-and-ride facility located off of Route 17 south in Ramsey.

Mahwah follows and is the last station in New Jersey. Crossing over the New York state line the train arrives at Suffern, the last stop for NJT Main Line trains.

Rolling stock[edit]

All trains on the Main Line are push-pulled by diesel locomotives. Coaches used are from the Comet series, and often feature Metro-North owned Comet Vs as these are pooled with New Jersey Transit's coaches as part of the operating agreement. Trains running exclusively on NJT trackage may also utilize MultiLevel cars hauled by a PL42AC. More recently, ALP-45DP hauled trains have been used on this line as well. Other equipment used could also include EMD GP40PH-2 or EMD GP40PH-2B locomotives.

Stations[edit]

State Zone[5] Location Station[5] Milepost (km) Date opened Date closed Line services Connections[5]
BC ML PJ
NJ 1 Hoboken Hoboken Terminal Disabled access 0.0 (0.0) 1903 ● ● ● NJ Transit Rail: Bergen County, Gladstone, Meadowlands, Montclair-Boonton, Morristown, North Jersey Coast, Pascack Valley, and Raritan Valley Lines
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail: 8th Street-Hoboken, Hoboken-Tonnelle lines
PATH: HOB-WTC, HOB-33, JSQ-33 (via HOB)
NJ Transit Bus: 22, 23, 63, 64, 68, 85, 87, 89, 126
New York Waterway to Battery Park City
Secaucus Secaucus Junction Disabled access 3.5 (5.6) December 15, 2003[6] ● ● ● NJ Transit Rail (upper level): Gladstone, Montclair-Boonton, Morristown, Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, and Raritan Valley lines
NJ Transit Rail (lower level): Bergen County, Meadowlands, and Pascack Valley lines
NJ Transit Bus: 2, 78, 129, 329, 353
2 Lyndhurst Kingsland 7.6 (12.2) December 14, 1870[7] ● NJ Transit Bus: 76
Lyndhurst 8.2 (13.2) December 14, 1870[7] ●
3 Clifton Delawanna 9.3 (15.0) December 14, 1870[7] ● NJ Transit Bus: 27, 74, 190
4 Passaic Passaic 10.6 (17.1) December 14, 1870[7] ● NJ Transit Bus: 190, 702
5 Clifton Clifton 12.2 (19.6) December 14, 1870[7] ● NJ Transit Bus: 705, 707
6 Paterson South Paterson April 2, 1963 1986[8]
Paterson Disabled access 15.6 (25.1) May 28, 1832[9] ● NJ Transit Bus: 161, 703, 707, 712, 744, 746, 748
River Street 1883 1977
7 Hawthorne Hawthorne 17.7 (28.5) October 19, 1848[10][11] ● NJ Transit Bus: 722
8 Glen Rock Ferndale 1894[12] 1920s ●
Glen Rock–Main Line 19.4 (31.2) October 19, 1848[10][11] ●
9 Ridgewood Ridgewood Disabled access 20.9 (33.6) October 19, 1848[10][11] ● ● NJ Transit Bus: 163, 164, 175, 722, 746, 752
10 Ho-Ho-Kus Ho-Ho-Kus 22.1 (35.6) October 19, 1848[10][11] ● ●
Waldwick Waldwick 23.2 (37.3) 1886[13] ● ●
11 Allendale Allendale 24.6 (39.6) October 19, 1848[10][11] ● ●
12 Ramsey Ramsey Disabled access 26.5 (42.6) October 19, 1848[14] ● ●
13 Ramsey Route 17 Disabled access 27.9 (44.9) August 22, 2004[15] ● ● ●
14 Mahwah Mahwah 29.1 (46.8) October 19, 1848[10][11] ● ● ● Short Line Bus: 17
NY Suffern Suffern 30.5 (49.1) June 30, 1841[16][17] ● ● ● Transport of Rockland: 59, 93, Monsey Loop 3, Tappan ZEExpress
Short Line Bus: 17M/MD/SF

References[edit]

  1. ^ [1][dead link]
  2. ^ "NJT System Map" (PDF). NJT. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  3. ^ 'Official Guide of the Railways,' June 1961, Table 3
  4. ^ "Coast Guard, DHS" (PDF). Gpo.gov. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  5. ^ a b c "Main / Bergen County Lines Timetables - November 19, 2014 edition" (PDF). New York, New York: New Jersey Transit Rail Operations. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 24, 2002. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  6. ^ Frassinelli, Mike (June 5, 2013). "U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg gets one last ride at the Secaucus station that bears his name". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c d e Lyon 1873, p. 55.
  8. ^ Sommers, Adam (October 22, 1986). "Paterson Train Stop Will Close". The News. Paterson, New Jersey. pp. 1, 18. Retrieved April 23, 2019 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  9. ^ "Transportation, Once Slow and Painful, Has Changed With Country's Growth". The Paterson Evening News. July 15, 1950. pp. 7–16, 7-18. Retrieved April 9, 2019 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Common Council". The New York Herald. October 17, 1848. p. 1. Retrieved June 18, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Ramapo and Paterson and Paterson and Hudson River Railroads". The Evening Post. New York, New York. December 7, 1848. p. 4. Retrieved June 18, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  12. ^ "A boom in real estate..." The Ridgewood Herald-News. October 26, 1894. p. 5. Retrieved June 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  13. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Inventory -- Nomination Form -- Waldwick Railroad Station". National Park Service. September 21, 1977. p. 8. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  14. ^ "Synopsis of Erie History". The Herald-News. Passaic, New Jersey. April 2, 1963. pp. 1, 6. Retrieved March 2, 2019 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  15. ^ "NJ Transit Announces Opening of Ramsey Route 17 Station" (Press release). New Jersey Transit. August 6, 2004.
  16. ^ Mott 1899, p. 331.
  17. ^ Seymour, HC (October 28, 1841). "Eastern Division of the New York and Erie Railroad". The Evening Post. New York, New York. p. 1. Retrieved July 29, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon

Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Main Line (New Jersey Transit).
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Main_Line_(NJ_Transit)&oldid=1224849640"