Delaware and Raritan River Railroad-General Discussion

CharlieL wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 2:06 pm New rail connected at Yellowbrook. Presuming it's also connected at Fairfield Rd, we now have continuous rail, FIT to the Southern. Will know more when Fairfield Rd is reopened. A milestone?

I've been out there every day this week. It's a nice piece of railroad. It'll be even better when we get it welded at a later date.

If they're going to proceed with welded rail at some future date, sounds as if NJT has more than a passing interest in this.

Welding rail is common on freight only lines. The purpose here's to slow down the wear and tear common with jointed rail. If NJT'd were to have a bigger interest in the line, they'd bring in new welded rail.

And probably different ties and possibly overhead catenary wires later on.

Still, welded rail would be quite an expense for a lightly used line. And except for this stretch, quite a bit of upgrade and repair would be needed. Can't see that without further incentives.

Either NJT is going to come onto the line at some point, or there are going to be some very large freight operations soon...

South at DCS LAKEWOOD 9:13 AM with 5 for Woodhaven

Lots of radio interference again. Static noise this time…

Bracdude181 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 18, 2023 7:01 am South at DCS LAKEWOOD 9:13 AM with 5 for Woodhaven

Question... after SA-31 drops its cars, what time do they typically depart Red Bank back to Browns?

North bound at DCS LAKEWOOD 10:18 AM

JohnFromJersey wrote: ↑Fri Aug 18, 2023 6:56 am Either NJT is going to come onto the line at some point, or there are going to be some very large freight operations soon...

Not necessarily. The Bellmawr industrial track had quite a bit of new welded rail put in a couple of years ago and that does less business than this branch does. The Salem branch has a lot of welded rail and until the tourist operation showed up that line did nothing.

Farmingdale at 10:50 AM

CharlieL wrote: ↑Fri Aug 18, 2023 4:58 am Still, welded rail would be quite an expense for a lightly used line. And except for this stretch, quite a bit of upgrade and repair would be needed. Can't see that without further incentives.

The current rail'd be pot welded at a later date in certain predetermined spots. This'd be done through another round of grant $$$ after the line's completed.
Wouldn't be a complete overhaul or replacement. It'd be $$$ spent to better maintain the investment.

For what it’s worth, the welded rail will need less maintenance long term, although it’s sometimes more expensive to fix. I guess the larger maintenance intervals help balance things out.

OK, track not connected at Fairfield Rd. They are working their way west from Yellowbrook.
Crossing looks good.