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

Oops. Before I forget.

They did some work past Whiting. Not much though, just removal of fallen trees.

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Seen here are two Ashland Railway ex Conrail GP9s pulling into Lakehurst with a sand train. Photo is from the 80s.

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Apparently those engines are still "on the job," somewhere in Ohio.

not my picture, it's from https://hawkinsrails.net/shortlines/asry/asry.htm

#33 looks to be well maintained. It's pretty hard to find any mention of ASRY operating in NJ besides these niche internet railfan groups

Any updates to the GP38’s being repainted? And the tie work?

Nothing on the gp38s but the tie work is progressing going off the latest Facebook post from them

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Forgive me if this was mentioned and I missed it, but where exactly is this tie work taking place?

Between Winslow Junction and the Richland Train Station. They haven't finished yet but the track is significantly better now. Hopefully they do between Richland and Tuckahoe next. That parts ok but starting to get bumpy in spots.

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Bracdude181 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 8:12 am Between Winslow Junction and the Richland Train Station. They haven't finished yet but the track is significantly better now. Hopefully they do between Richland and Tuckahoe next. That parts ok but starting to get bumpy in spots.

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Do they run at 25mph like Conrail did?

Don't know, but the rails are much more straight on the sections they've finished so far. Not sagging at the joints anymore depending on where you look.

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There's been some work done on the Clayton line. One crossing has had new signs installed and fallen trees have been removed along the entire line. Weeds growing though, perhaps they'll run the sprayer truck this summer.

The fallen trees appear to have been removed at some point within the last 2 weeks as some that were there prior to July 4th are now gone. The new signs are at a crossing about 2-3 miles north of Clayton. Will try to get pictures tomorrow.

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In all honesty, Id say there is an 80% chance that this work on the OOS track ROW is being paid for by the State, bc "its already budgeted", and chances are, the state is doling out some money for freinds.

Also if its state owned track, and not abandoned, then the state will put at least some effort in keeping the line clear.
If the track is not owned by the state, then there must be some deal, somewhere, that makes in monitarily advantageous to do some ROW cleaning.

I wouldnt say this has anything to do with any re-opening of the line. If there was any move at all for sand trains, I think u'd hear it 1st from C&D.

This 13 mile stretch of track is owned by Clayton. Clayton and NJSL used up all the grant money years ago AFAIK so any work is on their dime.

C&D shows zero interest in opening to Lakehurst. Supposedly, their reasoning is they won't make money moving empty cars between Jamesburg and Lakehurst, which I have trouble understanding as said cars will not only come back full, but also the trains have the potential to be 15-30 cars long. Surely that'd make more than the average 4-6 car train to Woodhaven?

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THERE IS NO SAND TRAFFIC

Here's the new signs, they replaced the old CNJ era ones that were mounted on the same poles. All the metal is still shiny so this was done recently too.

@pdtrains I've always wondered what Clayton and NJSL have to gain by keeping this open and maintained but not using it. I'd say tax write off but Clayton is still paying like $13,000 in taxes annually on this line.

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These's a difference between real estate taxes and income taxes. Also there may have been an agreement in the sale of the trackage to Clayton, that they will "maintain" it for so many years after purchase.

What happened to the old CNJ crossbucks. would have been nice if they made it to a museum or something.