RJ Corman and Susie-Q on Wyckoff, NJ

Sorry Block,

The main reason they are replacing the rail is because they were able to obtain gov't funding to do so. I think most of the rail was replaced prior to and just after the line over Sparta Mtn reopened. Some 90lb stick rail was still in place east of Butler, at the time of reopening but it was slowly replaced. The former L&HR has always had heavier rail and very little on that line has been replaced.

Maybe some of what is there now is 100lb but it looks heavier than that to me. And I doubt they would have replaced 90 lb with 100lb rail.

IIRC Hackensack - Paterson/Hawthorne is 112lb. sticks. Hawthorne - Bloomingdale/Butler is pre-WW2 100 lb. sticks with some ribbon rail in the vicinity of Rt.287 in Oakland/F-Lakes. There were some really dangerous sections of track in W.Oakland/P-Lakes w/pre-WW2 100 lb. sticks. Bloomingdale/Butler - Sparta Jct. is ribbon rail and the L&HR is heavier stick rail probably 112/115/131 lb. I am guessing.

Can anyone confirm ?

Well, lets see if I can get it correct off the top of my head-
as of 11/01/04 :
Norh Bergan to MP 10- 100RA
MP 10 to MP 18.25- 112RE
MP 18.25 to Mp 19- 100RA
MP 19 to MP 21.50- 112RE welded rail.
MP 21.50 to MP 23.10- 100RA
MP 23.10 to MP 24.40- 136LV welded rail.
MP 24.40 to MP 25- 112 RE welded rail.
MP25 to MP 25.40- 100RA welded rail.
MP 25.40 to MP 26.20- 100RA jointed.
MP 26.20 to MP 26.50- 136LV welded rail.
MP 26.50 to MP 26.75- 100 RA jointed.
MP 26.75 to MP 29.50- 136LV welded rail.
Mp 29.50 to MP 30.50- 132 RE welded rail.
MP 30.50 to MP 32.4- 112RE welded rail.
MP 32.4 to MP 32.9- 136LV welded rail.
MP 32.9 to MP 33.2- 131RE welded rail.
MP 33.2 to MP 36.5- 136LV welded rail.
MP 36.5 to MP 37.8- 112RE welded rail. (some jointed, soon to be welded.
MP 37.8 to MP 38.7- 132RE welded rail.
MP 38.7 to MP39.5- 112RE jointed, soon to be welded.
MP39.5 to MP 63 Sparta- 132 RE welded rail.
MP 63 to MP 84.45 Pelton RD.- 131 RE jointed.

These are aprox. mile posts, but pretty much accurate.

By the way, spikes appear to have been used in the rail upgrade in Midland Park and Wyckoff.
There have been several track cars on the siding in Wyckoff for the past few days. This morning at 7:00 AM or so, the equipment lights were on as I drove over the crossing at Franklin Ave. Not sure if they were going home, going out or coming in, but man, it's a cold morning to be working on the rails!

Rich

New ballast spread along the line in Wyckoff, I've been away for two weeks so I have no idea when it was dropped. But from appearances, it's been many years since this section of track has seen this much attention. It is odd that it's a white-tan mix, not the usual crushed bluestone.