by Tri-State Tom
This is where I got hooked on railroads as a kid in the early/mid-1950's.
The link below from the Library of Congress shows several depressing photos of this once grand 6-track rail terminal within a year ( likely 1981/early 1982 ) after service ceased. A new very modest single-track Montclair/Bay Street station about a 1/2 mile to the east 'replaced' this terminal in 1980.
http://montclair.notlong.com
As can be seen, workers at the time have already removed all overhead catenary structures and wire as well as all terminal tracks/ties, ornate platform light fixtures and the black iron 'picket fense' safety fencing ( note remaining concrete footings for same ). The terminal tower is seen still standing in tact out by it's lonesome in what once was a maze of swtches and crossovers. Even in this sad and 'in progress' demolition condition, the original grandeur and signiture DL&W workmanship/artwork with reinforced concrete can readily be observed.
Today, a supermarket occupies most of the area between the Grove St. overpass and the concourse where there were once large concrete bumpers for all 6 terminal tracks. Thankfully, the Bush platform canopies survived and today are part of the ceiling within the market as well as out in the corridor of the adjoining mini-mall of small shops. The main station/waiting room - a designated 'Historic' site - also survives today and is externally intact. Internally it's had several 'tenants' over the last 20 years from a restaurant to a video store.
East of the Grove St. bridge....well, it's all completely gone. Where once was a maze of terminal interlockings, freight sidings, large freight yard, REA Express building, dwarf signals and the stately tower, there is today an expansive parking lot for the mall complex plus 2-3 large 4-5 story condo/apartment buildings all the way east over to Pine St..
Will be happy to field any questions....
The link below from the Library of Congress shows several depressing photos of this once grand 6-track rail terminal within a year ( likely 1981/early 1982 ) after service ceased. A new very modest single-track Montclair/Bay Street station about a 1/2 mile to the east 'replaced' this terminal in 1980.
http://montclair.notlong.com
As can be seen, workers at the time have already removed all overhead catenary structures and wire as well as all terminal tracks/ties, ornate platform light fixtures and the black iron 'picket fense' safety fencing ( note remaining concrete footings for same ). The terminal tower is seen still standing in tact out by it's lonesome in what once was a maze of swtches and crossovers. Even in this sad and 'in progress' demolition condition, the original grandeur and signiture DL&W workmanship/artwork with reinforced concrete can readily be observed.
Today, a supermarket occupies most of the area between the Grove St. overpass and the concourse where there were once large concrete bumpers for all 6 terminal tracks. Thankfully, the Bush platform canopies survived and today are part of the ceiling within the market as well as out in the corridor of the adjoining mini-mall of small shops. The main station/waiting room - a designated 'Historic' site - also survives today and is externally intact. Internally it's had several 'tenants' over the last 20 years from a restaurant to a video store.
East of the Grove St. bridge....well, it's all completely gone. Where once was a maze of terminal interlockings, freight sidings, large freight yard, REA Express building, dwarf signals and the stately tower, there is today an expansive parking lot for the mall complex plus 2-3 large 4-5 story condo/apartment buildings all the way east over to Pine St..
Will be happy to field any questions....