Monmouth Park, August 2, 2015

http://www.njtransit.com/sa/sa_servlet. ... ntId=12825" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"To assist fans getting to and from the Haskell Invitational, every local North Jersey Coast Line train on Sunday will stop at the Monmouth Park Station. After the race, four additional trains will be dedicated to fans departing Monmouth Park heading toward Newark, and one additional train will be dedicated to fans heading south toward Bay Head."
Also: "If capacity allows and if ridership dictates, the Summer Shore Express trains heading to New York Penn Station also will stop at Monmouth Park. However, if the Express train picks up customers at Monmouth Park, it will become a local train making stops at each station."

I wonder if the five additional trains will use the tracks in Monmouth Park? But maybe the tracks there aren't in such good shape any more, even by NJT standards.
Top picture from RailPictures.net copyright John Dziobko http://www.godfatherrails.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. The photos of the current trackwork are by Eric Kreszl.
Jerry Clark's experience here is well worth reading. http://www.abandonedrails.com/Monmouth_Running_Track" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here's what rr.net had to say in 2008 and 2011: http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopi ... 0&start=45" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is one of those races where if the switch was still installed it would come in handy. They quoted the people who are running the event. They are not turning anyone away, anyone who shows up to watch will be allowed to enter. They are expecting 60,000 plus to be there.

I just drove past the track and the train station on my lunch hour. There are hundreds on security barricades being set-up by the New York bound platform as we speak. There are also tents being erected on the grass field alongside that platforms. Dozens of light towers and porta potties are also on the racetrack property to be used this weekend.

We have two major events taking place in the North East next August and September, putting intolerable strains on SEPTA and the North Jersey Coast Line: The Pope coming to Philadelphia, and a horse coming to Monmouth Park. (Don't scream, I'm a cradle Catholic.)

This from APP.com (Asbury Park Press.) http://www.app.com/story/sports/horses/ ... /30938325/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

philipmartin wrote:This from APP.com (Asbury Park Press.) http://www.app.com/story/sports/horses/ ... /30938325/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Specifically

In

Bradley Beach resident Robert Stout's train faced minor delays. It was 3:15 p.m., and his train was due to reach Monmouth Park at 3:09 p.m. But all in all, he said, the commute was fairly smooth.

"The train really wasn't bad," he said. "The train was absolutely the way to go."

Bob Wright, a Red Bank resident, agreed the train was the best option.

"It (Monmouth Park) was one stop from Red Bank," he said. "You get a train back and forth, a program and admission. That's about as good as it gets."

Bill Hanson of Margate said his train was so crowded, it was standing room only.

"But it wasn't really a bother because the atmosphere was great," he said. "People are excited to see history."

Out

Spectators are crowding around the Monmouth Park train station, which is much more stagnant this time. Since the race ended 40 minutes ago, two northbound trains have passed. No southbound trains have rolled in yet.

NJTransit riders are getting restless as they wait for the trains. Forty-six minutes after the race ended, the first southbound train arrived.

"Getting here was a cinch. Going home has been a little rough," said John Mahoney, a Belmar resident. "At this point, I think American Pharoah could run back to Belmar faster than we'll get there."

And NJ Transit riders' traffic woes are getting worse.

A southbound train is sitting on the track, blocking northbound riders from getting on the platform and motorists trying to reach their cars. This train has been stuck there for 15 minutes.

http://www.app.com/story/sports/horses/ ... /30938325/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

jamesinclair wrote: "Getting here was a cinch. Going home has been a little rough," said John Mahoney, a Belmar resident. "At this point, I think American Pharoah could run back to Belmar faster than we'll get there."

Obviously that rider should get a horse. (That's what they used to say in the 1920s and 30s when a motor vehicle broke down.)

The track has been cut back to the west of Port-Au-Peck Ave. since they re-paved said street. These days, the Monmouth running track only sees track equipment parked there.