NJT To Test Gladstone Branch Tracks of Morris & Essex Line This Friday

NJ TRANSIT announced on Wednesday that repairs to the Gladstone Branch of the Morris & Essex Lines will be completed on Friday, Nov. 30, with test trains scheduled to begin operations at that time. 

NJ TRANSIT will provide an update that day regarding the expected resumption of service. 

“While every NJ TRANSIT rail line sustained damage as a result of Sandy’s wrath, the Gladstone line was particularly hard-hit, with the heavy damage and unique challenges making repairs more timely and more difficult,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James Weinstein. “I would again thank our customers for their patience and understanding during this difficult time.”

The test trains are needed to ensure all of the systems are operating as intended and to remove the rust build-up along the lines.  Rust can interfere with the signal system and ultimately cause delays.

As a result of the impact of Superstorm Sandy, five catenary – overhead wire – poles snapped during the storm.  The poles, which exceed 90 feet in length, are custom-made.  These poles were installed late last week, and more than five miles of overhead wiring was installed along the length of the Gladstone Branch this week. 

Additionally, crews removed the 49 trees that were on the tracks, and are in the process of finalizing repairs to the line’s infrastructure, such as signals and switches. 

When service is restored to the Gladstone Line, NJ TRANSIT plans to resume utilizing electric trains for Midtown Direct service into New York and diesel trains into Hoboken.  However, all Gladstone service will operate on a special schedule. Check with www.njtransit.com.

Hoboken’s Mason Supply power substation sustained significant damage from the storm; as a result, only diesel-powered trains that can navigate into the Terminal.  This will require operation on a limited, special schedule as diesel trains do not have the acceleration capabilities of NJ TRANSIT’s electric fleet.

In the meantime, free shuttle bus service (“Routes A,  B and C”) will continue operate to meet Midtown Direct trains and selected Hoboken-bound trains departing Summit on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and returning to Summit for trains departing New York/Hoboken from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

The “Route A” shuttle bus to/from Summit Station will board customers from the following locations:

• Gladstone –  in the parking lot at the station
• Peapack – on Main Street at Holland Avenue
• Far Hills – at the station building in the parking lot
• Millington – on Division Avenue at River Road
• Gillette – on Mountain Avenue at the station parking lot entrance
• Murray Hill – on Floral Avenue at the station parking lot exit
• Note: Standard parking rules and fees are in effect at all rail station parking lots.

The “Route B” shuttle bus to/from Summit Station will board customers from the following locations:

• Bernardsville – in the parking lot at the station
• Basking Ridge – on North Finely Avenue at Ridge Street
• Lyons – on South Finely Avenue at Cross Road
• Berkeley Heights – at the station building on Sherman Avenue
• New Providence – on Springfield Avenue at Old Springfield Avenue
• Note: Standard parking rules and fees are in effect at all rail station parking lots.

The “Route C” shuttle bus to/from Summit Station will board customers from the following locations:

• Millington – On Division Avenue at River Road
• Gillette – On Mountain Avenue at Station exit
• Murray Hill – On Floral Avenue at Station exit
• Summit – On Railroad Avenue, eastside of Station
• Note:  Standard parking rules and fees are in effect at all rail station parking lots.

Additional Customer Tips

• Customers utilizing NJ TRANSIT rail or regular NJ TRANSIT bus service are encouraged to consider traveling during off-peak periods to avoid crowds and potential delays.
• Delays, detours, crowding and other challenges can continue to be expected by customers during system restoration and recovery.
• For the latest travel information, customers should listen to broadcast traffic reports, visitnjtransit.com, or access NJ TRANSIT’s Twitter feed at @NJ_TRANSIT or Facebook page.
• Additionally, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system (www.njtransit.com/mytransit<http://www.njtransit.com/mytransit>), which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone, PDA or pager.
• Automated service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555.

About NJ TRANSIT 

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 895,000 weekday trips on 261 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the second largest transit system in the country with 164 rail stations, 61 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.