RS115 wrote:Does anyone know what customers this line had for freight? All that I have seen written about it has either been passenger related (though I need to gather that data into a useful cache of info) and that it interchanged with the Morristown & Erie at Essex Fells. I am most interested in the period 1960's through the end of the branch. Thanks
Caldwell Branch Customers
All of those listed below had intact side tracks as of January 17, 1962:
Overbrook Hospital MP 19.35
Charles Bahr and Son Lumber 19.59
W.p. Johnson Fuel Company 20.08
West Essex Building Supply 20.38
The Caldwell Team Tracks 21.40
Speer Coal 21.76
Caldwell Building Supply 21.71
The Morristown & Erie Interchange at Essex Fells MP22.18
Overbrook Hospital was good for 2 or 3 cars of coal per day, plus a carload of flour or meat every six weeks.
Bahr Lumber was an active customer from the late 1920's up until the branch was embargoed by washout in July, 1975. Bahr was receiving about 100 cars per year in the late 1950's.
W.P. Johnson was a coal dealer on Fairview Avenue in Verona, but had probably not received a carload since the late 1950's.
West Essex was an active customer from about the WWII period until the end of service. I remember seeing many a car set out here.
The Caldwell team tracks were active until the end of service.
Speer's burned in a spectacular fire during the late 1960's.
Caldwell Building Supply had an intact siding, but reportedly unloaded its cars at the team track after the late 50's.
The Morristown & Erie interchange lasted until the end of service.
Opposite Bahr Lumber at Durrel Street there was a siding at MP19.56 that could be used as a passing siding. This was removed from service on 2/4/1959.
Mark Schmitt