Delaware and Raritan River Railroad-General Discussion

They are ballasting the track between Adelphia and Southard but the track alignment is still completely all over the place.

Farmingdale at 10:55 AM

Northbound or southbound?


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Oh, northbound.


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Red Bank at 11:57 AM. Quick run today…

Could not really see for sure, but appears they are laying ties / track between Fairfield and Yellowbrook Rds.
Also first layer of ballast is down between Adelphia Rd. and Railroad Ave except for 50 ft or so at the crossings.
Not sure how this works, but the first pass of ballasting seems to be heavier stone than the final tamp and align pass. Perhaps one of our railroaders can comment on that?

Charlie L, the bigger rock "base coat" is good for drainage. The smaller lighter rock on top of that is easier to level and work in and around the ties as ballast, and still good for drainage.

Some areas of that line have poor drainage. Hopefully that’s something they have resolved with all this work.

GSC wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 4:49 pm Charlie L, the bigger rock "base coat" is good for drainage. The smaller lighter rock on top of that is easier to level and work in and around the ties as ballast, and still good for drainage.

Makes good sense. High quality asphalt roads are done with large stone then gravel base before paving. And yes, there are areas along the line particularly between Fairfield and Yellowbrook roads which are downright swampy, especially where yellow brook passes underneath. Also next to road crossings where the roadbed is subject to runoff flooding.

Ties are placed to within a couple hundred feet of Yellowbrook Rd. Still can't get close to crossing at Fairfield Rd due to roadwork. I suspect we will have rail all the way thru by end of day Friday, leaving only ballasting and alignment to do.

Swampy in areas or not, this project is fortunate that this ROW was already in existence and didn't need various "studies". Imagine if this was a new project, building a new ROW through "endangered" wetlands and woodlands. It would take forever, if permitted at all. Thanks to the original charterers, designers, builders, owners, and operators of what became the F&JA, for unwittingly saving so much unneeded work and red tape "in the future". I had always envisioned (dreamed?) of an "H" shaped Central Jersey railroad that included the Southern, the F&JA, and the Camden & Amboy. So happy to see it coming to fruition.

SA-31 County Rd. 3:56p CSX 4408 5 Cars (4 Centerbeams and a Box).

Thanks for the heads up

New rail connected at Yellowbrook. Presuming it's also connected at Fairfield Rd, we now have continuous rail, FIT to the Southern. Will know more when Fairfield Rd is reopened. A milestone?

CharlieL wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 3:06 pm Could not really see for sure, but appears they are laying ties / track between Fairfield and Yellowbrook Rds.
Also first layer of ballast is down between Adelphia Rd. and Railroad Ave except for 50 ft or so at the crossings.
Not sure how this works, but the first pass of ballasting seems to be heavier stone than the final tamp and align pass. Perhaps one of our railroaders can comment on that?

A lot of progress's being made. Yes, a heavier stone's laid in places where not only drainage is an issue but where terrain conditions permit. A heavy base makes for a more stable bed. Top it off with a smaller stone to keep it & the ties in place.