urr304 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 25, 2021 6:54 am
Yes, NH and LI were planned for long before USRA and WWI.
Not being familar with NJ rail lines, your question on B&O steam locomotive servicing needs to be explored.
From Manhattan Transfer it was a straight shot to Journal Square, and from there to connect to the National Docks, which crossed over the CNJ (and LV) in the Communipaw area. But from there, getting to the CNJ roundhouse, or to the LV engine servicing facility, which I think was north of the CNJ main, would have been complicated. So I agree with the earlier post that PRR probably serviced the B&O engines.
Here is a link to the Manhattan transfer layout, which was extensive.
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/classic/NYCity4.html . The 3 tracks on upper left labelled "rapid transit" go to the old Newark H&M station, a few blocks north of Newark Penn Station. Only later (~1930s?) was the Dock bridge at Newark upgraded with dedicated tracks for H&M so they could go to Penn Station.
Some questions/comments:
1. The article says there was a track for engine servicing, but on the map it is not obvious where. I can't imagine all those engines arriving and leaving every 5 minutes or whatever were going to Meadows yard and back.
2. The 2 "horizontal" tracks coming in/out at the right side to go NY Penn Station I believe . The 2 diagonal ones below it, labelled "New York Div" and "to Ma"?? are westbound from Journal square I think (and PRR Exchange Place station on the Jersey City waterfront). But could "to Ma" mean "to Manhattan"? (which then wouldn't make sense to me).
3. Note the two horizonal tracks on the lower right side. I think they are eastbound from Journal Square (and Exchange Place)
4. Somewhere on the internet I have seen a map with more detail, especially with the tracks to Journal Square. If anyone knows of it, please post a link.
It would have been fascinating to have been a bird up above watching all those trains and engines coming and going and working their way around the Manhattan Transfer tracks, 24/7.
Thanks, JS
EDIT: a link to a much clearer version of the Manhattan Transfer interlocking:
https://northamericaninterlockings.com/ ... am.jpg?586