As a result, the Arrow III passenger cars can no longer run between those two points, since those trains can not run on two different voltages on one trip (the transformer voltage taps must be manually changed from alongside the MU). In 2002, the voltage from Matawan to Long Branch was changed from 12.5 kV to 25 kV. The catenary is self-adjusting (constant tensioning) with ambient temperature. As on the 1982 extension, the insulators can handle 25 kV. Electrification at 12.5 kV 60 Hz was extended to Long Branch in 1988, with catenary installed in 1986–88. This was originally 11 kV, increased to 12 kV in 1978 along with Amtrak's New York-Washington electrification, with insulators capable of supporting 25 kV. Electrification was extended to Matawan in 1982 (now called Aberdeen-Matawan), with catenary installed in the early 1980s.
The North Jersey Coast Line is electrified north (railroad east) of Long Branch.Įlectrified operation between Rahway and South Amboy began about 1936. JSTOR ( October 2020) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message).Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.įind sources: "North Jersey Coast Line" – news Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. The line also crosses over several other waterways on fixed bridges, the longest of which is over the Navesink River at Red Bank. the Shark River Draw (bascule) on Shark RiverĪll these bridges were originally double-track spans, but Brielle Draw has been single-tracked since the mid-1970s.Oceanport Draw (swing, with non-movable catenary) over the Shrewsbury River.Morgan Draw (bascule) spans cross the Cheesequake or Morgan Creek.The North Jersey Coast Line has five movable bridges of the twelve used by the NJT rail network, the most on any one line. A yard and sidings formerly existed at South Amboy, dating to when electrification ended there, but have since been removed trains terminating at South Amboy cannot be bypassed by using the other track, as the new station has a single island platform.Ĭonrail Shared Assets also operates over the North Jersey Coast Line to reach customers south of Red Bank. Bay Head Yard has no interlocking all switches are hand-operated. It remains in service, even though push-pull operation has eliminated the need for turning of trains.
Bay Head contains a large balloon (circular looping) track where entire trains can reverse direction without backing up or uncoupling the locomotive, and obviating the need for a turntable. Long Branch Yard is fully electrified, and mostly interlocked. Passenger yards are at Long Branch and Bay Head. Twelve interlockings facilitate flexibility in operation between the two tracks these and other interlockings control movements to or from freight lines such as the Chemical Coast Secondary, the Perth Amboy Secondary, and the Southern Secondary, as well as Long Branch Yard. The line has cab signals and wayside block signals the line from Rahway to Long Branch is signaled for operation in either direction on both tracks ( NORAC Rule 261). The line is double track, except for the bridge over the Manasquan River at Brielle. Some electric trains terminate at South Amboy and make all stops from New York Penn Station, providing local service for the Northeast Corridor stops of Rahway, Linden, Elizabeth, and North Elizabeth during rush hours.
Full hourly service operates during the peak summer season. Hourly New York to Long Branch service operates on weekends, with bi-hourly diesel shuttle service (with some extra trains) between Long Branch and Bay Head. Diesel shuttle trains between Long Branch and Bay Head meet these electric trains, although a limited number of through trains operate during weekday rush hours between Bay Head and Pennsylvania Station, utilizing dual-mode engines. Most trains operate between New York Penn Station and Long Branch, with frequent rush-hour service and hourly local off-peak service. The line runs along the former New York & Long Branch Railroad, which was co-owned by the Central Railroad of New Jersey and the Pennsylvania Railroad. On rail system maps it is colored light blue, and its symbol is a sailboat.
Operated by New Jersey Transit, the line is electrified as far south as Long Branch. The North Jersey Coast Line is a commuter rail line running from Rahway to Bay Head, New Jersey.