Metuchen Yard Operations and Vicinity

I spotted what I assume was ME-5 crossing Rt. 1 today, heading back toward Metuchen Yard. They returned from Raritan Center with a pair of SPLATs and a few tank cars.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/erielimited/13964895614/

This was taken around 4:30pm. I was about to do some shopping nearby when I heard horns to the east. The train appeared a few minutes later.

Rob

Erie Limited wrote:I spotted what I assume was ME-5 crossing Rt. 1 today, heading back toward Metuchen Yard. They returned from Raritan Center with a pair of SPLATs and a few tank cars.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/erielimited/13964895614/

This was taken around 4:30pm. I was about to do some shopping nearby when I heard horns to the east. The train appeared a few minutes later.

Rob

Nice catch Rob!

I can't think of any customers on that end that receive(d) tank cars, other then the chemical plant off Riverside Drive - and the last I knew they were rarely served. I'd also assume that any customer in Raritan Center that might receive tank cars, would be serviced by the transfer/interchange train from the Raritan Central RR as opposed to ME-5.

As a side note - does anyone have an idea if Bayshore Recycling off Crows Mill Road is still receiving cars? I remember it being said that quite a lot of work was put in to make them a customer. Also, I haven't been over in the area at all, but I hope construction of the Bakery that was supposed to relocate to Jersey Ave is continuing, as they were supposedly going to be serviced as well.

TAMR213 wrote: Nice catch Rob!

I can't think of any customers on that end that receive(d) tank cars, other then the chemical plant off Riverside Drive - and the last I knew they were rarely served. I'd also assume that any customer in Raritan Center that might receive tank cars, would be serviced by the transfer/interchange train from the Raritan Central RR as opposed to ME-5.

As a side note - does anyone have an idea if Bayshore Recycling off Crows Mill Road is still receiving cars? I remember it being said that quite a lot of work was put in to make them a customer. Also, I haven't been over in the area at all, but I hope construction of the Bakery that was supposed to relocate to Jersey Ave is continuing, as they were supposedly going to be serviced as well.

Thanks Erik! And also thanks for the additional feedback. I wondered if this was actually interchange traffic off the RCRY. I'm not sure that Hatco is still an active customer. From what I recall, they were served by CSAO as opposed to RCRY. However, the crossing into Hatco over Riverside Drive appears to not have been used in a while. I'm not sure what RCRY customer(s) would get the variety of tank cars that I saw. Any idea what the symbol is that handles the RCRY interchange? I usually hear only ME-2 and ME-5 on the radio.

I'm also not sure about Bayshore Recycling or the bakery at Jersey Ave. The next time I'm in the area of either location I'll check it out.

Rob

Uh oh...

Not 100% "on-topic", but heres hoping that this isn't Bayshore Recycling (or any other rail customer). I know there are a few "recycling" industries located adjacent to eachother...
5-alarm fire at Keasbey recycling plant

EDIT: It seems to be the warehouse next door to Bayshore. Hell of an operation, FD's from all over, fire boats from Newark and the FDNY, and reports of flames reaching 100 feet.

EDIT 2: Crap, according to this article the fire does include Bayshore Recycling as well. Well, there goes another customer I guess...

ME-2 with CSX 4429 was just given permission west from track 4 to track 1 at COUNTY - sounds like their going to Deans.

ME-2 with 4441 + 6 LHF (facing west) leaving Lincoln now.

I got out of work early today due to the holiday weekend. On the way home I heard ME-2 coming off the General Tire lead around 4:00pm. I took a chance that they had work on the Millstone Branch and headed directly to Jersey Avenue since I'd been meaning to catch them working on the branch. It payed off, as the crew was still running around the train at the station when I arrived. So, here is a quick photo essay...

Crossing over Jersey Ave as they shoved up the branch:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/erielimited/14275680453/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The sun was in and out as the crew drilled out cars for Colgate Paper Stock (recyclers). "The" caboose has seen better days and the conductor told me there are plans to have it repainted...soon, hopefully!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/erielimited/14255133444/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Another angle as they pulled loaded cars out of Colgate:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/erielimited/14068887760/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

With only a little work to perform today, the crew headed back to County a short while later. After waiting for an NJT local to clear, they passed through the station once more:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/erielimited/14275680023/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I didn't get an exact car count, but I'd estimate they had around 10 cars going back to Metuchen.

Rob

"The" caboose has seen better days and the conductor told me there are plans to have it repainted...soon, hopefully!

Nice shots! Lovin' that caboose. They should leave it as is. Very retro. Looks like the old subway cars from the '70's.

ME-02 headed west on 4 Trk at Lincoln. 4441 SHF + 10

What road and or transfer freights still run to Metuchen?

ChrisU wrote:What road and or transfer freights still run to Metuchen?

ME-02 ME-05 and I think OI-32?

OportRailfan wrote:

ChrisU wrote:What road and or transfer freights still run to Metuchen?

ME-02 ME-05 and I think OI-32?

Thanks, wasn't there a 14G or something that used to run from Morrisville a few years ago?

For what it's worth there was a daylight move from Oak Island to Metuchen this afternoon. It was either OI-35 or OI-85. Power returned light to Oak Island around 2:45pm.

Rob

ChrisU wrote:

OportRailfan wrote:

ChrisU wrote:What road and or transfer freights still run to Metuchen?

ME-02 ME-05 and I think OI-32?

Thanks, wasn't there a 14G or something that used to run from Morrisville a few years ago?

Just some clarification, ME-2 and ME-5 are the local jobs out of Metuchen Yard - I don't know if you would consider these "road freights". The transfer run from Oak Island to Metuchen and back (running under various symbols as seen in this thread), along with the Raritan Central RR now interchanging in the Yard itself, are the only other trains out of Metuchen these days (to the best of my knowledge).

Yes, there used to be another train before the Ford Plant closed in 2005 that carried either finished autos, auto parts, or both, symboled 14G on NS (I believe during Conrail years it was PIME). They used to roll south through Highland Park every morning around 5:30 am and I kick myself to this day for never making an effort to document/photograph it.

ME-2 was through Edison eastbound today at 5:27pm with a short consist including the caboose, two cars and CSXT 2798.

Here are two photos...first, approaching Edison caboose first, being overtaken by an NJT equipment extra:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/erielimited/15140106171/

A few seconds later, the NJT extra is almost out of view as ME-2 passes through the station:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/erielimited/14956426960/

Rob