CMSL Cape May (NJ) Seashore Lines Non-Passenger Operations

Current day cost to build track per mile's short of 2.25M. If Clayton sells the track back to the state, still gotta get through the pinelands red tape.

rrbluesman wrote:I have been writing a study regarding the restoration on the Southern Division for Freight and Passenger Service. The cost of repair per mile is going to range from $2.5 to $3.5 million. Between Woodmansie and Elm, while the terrain is fairly level, the forest has reclaimed the ROW and there are seemingly unending culverts and small to medium size wooden bridge that will need to be removed and replaced. Fortunately there will not be a lot of need for Industrial Sidings but there will be a need for new and restored passing sidings and public delivery tracks.

Interesting. Did you account for ptc installation costs? What standard of track are we talking when fixing up the line? Class 3? 4?

It should also be noted that, at least between Red Bank and Lakewood, NJT had once said it would cost around 110 million to bring that section up to standards, build stations, and install catenary wires and a signal system.

Adding wires all the way down brings that cost estimate WAY up.

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The preliminary estimates in the study (at this time) are based on restoring the track, trackbed, and bridges/culverts to no less than class III. There is no consideration for catenary in the study; PTC, stations, signaling, etc. are different budget line items that are ongoing in development.

Gotcha. Class 3 would actually be a good standard to get up to if nothing else. 60 mph passenger 40 mph freight I believe? Not blazingly fast but not at all slow either.

Come to think of it I think the max speed while in use during the old days was 75 between Winslow and Lakehurst? At least before the track conditions began to suffer prior to the overhauls in 1975.

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I would find that speed hard to believe for a branch line. Even PRSL only had 40-45 for freight.

rrbluesman wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:30 pm The preliminary estimates in the study (at this time) are based on restoring the track, trackbed, and bridges/culverts to no less than class III. There is no consideration for catenary in the study; PTC, stations, signaling, etc. are different budget line items that are ongoing in development.

If the route gets used by freight, catenary will greatly restrict height potential on the route if freight uses it. If the route is freight only, you likely won't need PTC.

I am curious, what is the goal of the study? Is this a personal project, or will your study be used for legal/business purposes regarding the current state of the Southern, and its future?

Bracdude181 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:34 pm Gotcha. Class 3 would actually be a good standard to get up to if nothing else. 60 mph passenger 40 mph freight I believe? Not blazingly fast but not at all slow either.

Come to think of it I think the max speed while in use during the old days was 75 between Winslow and Lakehurst? At least before the track conditions began to suffer prior to the overhauls in 1975.

Honestly, if the powers that be wanted it, you could make the Southern Division HSR. It's not grade-separated, but the route goes through quite literally the middle of no where and does not have many crossings whatsoever, you'd have to worry about wildlife, hikers, and trespassers however. All that being said, I doubt there would ever be a reason to make Winslow-Woodmansie a HSR route, unless Atlantic City makes a dramatic comeback in the next couple of decades, and there is interest in a high(er) speed route from NYC to Atlantic City, like there was with the Blue Comet

Railcar1 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 9:38 pm I would find that speed hard to believe for a branch line. Even PRSL only had 40-45 for freight.

The Southern Division was not a branch line. It was a CNJ mainline, and continued to be a mainline under Conrail, until they severed the Southern between Winslow and Woodmansie in the 80's. There were a lot of through-trains from North Jersey to South Jersey via this route.

Thanks for clarifying

Looks like they did the annual brush cleaning and weed spraying between Lakehurst and Woodmansie. Or at the very least they've started in Lakehurst and are working their way south. Probably won't be able to see how far they've gone until the next time I go that way to South Jersey. (which isn't too often)

Side note: There appears to be no fire damage to the tracks in Lakehurst. Maybe a few less trees than before but that's it.

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Is there any update to the loco repainting that’s supposed to happen with the PRSL 2000? Is the ex PC 2012 also getting new paint?

Would the ex 2012 be LLPX 2014? Looked like it had the front painted when I saw it on the Easter trains. 2000 was there but in an odd condition. Looked like it was painted but was getting other work done since it had no number boards.

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Yes that’s the ex 2012. Word is the paint on the 2000 wasn’t done well and it’s being repainted again. Maybe someone can clarify?

2000 is getting painted at the very least I think. Last time I saw it, the number boards were missing and it looked like some work had been done to the cab exterior?

Not sure what the deal is with 2014 but last I saw it looked like the LLPX reporting marks are gone and the cab had been painted.

Hopefully we get some sort of announcement soon regarding upcoming events. They've been silent ever since the April update on the Cape May Branch. I can't help but wonder if they have something big in the works...

In possibly related news, I've heard the Milmay Siding and the line from at least Richland to Winslow has had some new ties put in...

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That’s good to hear and I guess we’ll see.

I I could be wrong but there might be a small bundle of ties sitting at Lacey Road on the Southern Division. It was very dark so couldn't see well. Will try to check tomorrow

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Nope. Not ties, just some Cement blocks.

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