BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

9SEE PREVIOUS POSTS)

........the CNJ's massive Communipaw Engine terminal was located about 1/2 mile west of the Jersey City terminal,where the mainline curved towards the south.

It boasted a massive coaling/sand tower, and two roundhouses.

Over the years, RDG and B&O engines were also serviced here.

From May, 1967, until 1973, this facility only served freight power.

Today, the hulking Liberty Science Center (which I've long referred to as the "Communipaw Headstone") now occupies the site of the huge enfine terminal, of which not a trace remains.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?142309

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?142310

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

See also:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_Science_Center (occupies the site of the former Communipaw Engine Terminal)

['1521"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

South Amboy, 1980...............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?36717

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

In this 1980 view, we see an ex-CNJ"GP=40P"leading a NU&LB/NJCL train; yje streamlined coaches were ex-Santa Fe.

Note how the engine has been stripped of its CNJlettering and heralds...............

['C NJ"]

[Cyberider]

I'll take the engine terminal.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a "comparison" view, also from 1980..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?45621

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

Here, note how the large "CNJ" lettering has been buffed oit on this "GP-40P", and, also, the removal of the "Liberty" heralds..........


["NJDOT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

To this very day, over 70uears after they were retired, the stalwart "Camelback" remauns the most highly regarded of all the CNJ steamers.

Like the RDG, the CNJ made heavy use of these center cab engines in commuter service; they also,over the tears, 'filled in" for a "Pacific" on the famed "Blue Comet"!

The last of the CNJ's were retired in 1954; the last survivor, #592, is today on display at the B&O museum in Baltimore.

The oldest of the CNJ's "Camels" dated back to the early 1900s...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?142357

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["592"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is a detailed, well-documented page on Camelbacks; note photo of one of the CNJ's, a BALDWIN product (thankfully, five "Came;s" survive today)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camelback_locomotive

(note the massive "L-1" monsters the ERIE used in heavy tonnage service!)

Until the adbent of diesels, the "Camels" were the backbone of CNJ's commuter power fleet.......

["BALDWIN"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The ERIE's "L-1" Camelbacks were indeed massive, fearsome monsters, that shook the earth when they were rolling...(!!)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie_L-1

["ERIE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

While on the subject of Camelbacks.............

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wootten_firebox

["C R R N J"]

[Cyberider]

Thanks for the information, NYO. Always wondered where the fireman's station was. Wonder how the engineer and fireman communicated?

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[Cyberider]

Thanks for the info, NYO. Definitely interesting engines and who would have thought that they would have persisted so long on the CNJ?

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Aldene............

Aldene was a station stop on the CNJ's main line to Raritan until it was closed in 1967 ;it isalso the location of the ramp that allowed CN\J trains to bypass the old main line into Jersey City, and connected to PRR rails for the trip to Penn Station, Newark.

Aldene was also once a "short turn" terminal for local trains; a small coach yard and a modest engine servicing facility were also located here.

CNJ "Camels" were also, at one time, service and turned at Red Bank, Raritan, and Phillipsburg.

Some "Camels" had a battery generator on the tender for coach lighting (eventually all did); many coaches also once had belt-driven generators under the car bodies., for interior lighting

So associated with commuter service were the Camelbacks that, if one saw a "Camel" hauling a train OUTSIDE of commuter territory,it was indeed a sight!

"NYO"

["C R R NJ"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In my CNJ llibrary, I have a (softcover) copy of "CAMELBACK TWILIGHT", bu Gerard Bernet.

This fascinating book isan ABSOLUTE MUST for ANYONEterested in the CNJ's iconic "Camels" there are many photos, rosters, detailed sprqs....it's all here1 L
Chapter 9:"LIFE ABOARD A CAMEL"" is a fasvinating, detailed look at how the engineers and firemen "plied

EXCELLENT book! their trade" working a "Camel:......VERT detailed and most interesting!

"NYO"

["635"]