I've been working on the railroads
- Thread starter Jon Holcombe
- Start date
The railroad had to keep the right of way along the tracks clear of vegetation in order to prevent forest fires. Perhaps the trees are much larger past the view of the picture. However, trees were generally smaller from frequent fires. I saw a picture from the 1930s in Medford along Stokes Road near 5 points where a man was taller then the forest.
I was thinking the same thing about the right of way, but I'm sure the average age of the pines is much older now then it was years ago.
Found a bunch of these in a drawer, will talk to my MIL who I believe is in the attached about a date/location. These are a pic of an old pic, can try scanning for better quality...
Searched and found discussion of a CNJ derailment in 1966 mentioned and photographed in The Trail of the Blue Comet.
If anyone has it to compare pics maybe could tell if these are from same crash...
If anyone has it to compare pics maybe could tell if these are from same crash...
I have a strong feeling that you can eliminate the sand car derailment by Bullock in the 60's. There were more cars toppled then, and unless my eyes are deceiving me, there is a curve in the track in one of those photos. That is a straight run near Bullock. Too, the trees seem more deciduous in those photos, whereas by Woodmansie they are almost strictly pine along that run.
The one pic with all the sugar sand in the foreground almost looks like where the tracks cross Carranza Rd, if you were looking toward High Crossing, not sure if there was a derail there and don't recall a curve in the track there?
The man in the checkered shirt with his hands in his pockets; he looks familiar, and like he comes from genuine piney stock.
I can't zoom in on these. Be good to have that option.
I can't zoom in on these. Be good to have that option.
I saved them to my desktop and used photoviewer to zoom, they are very clear for me on the zoom
This wreck occurred on October 17, 1966 at 1:15 a.m. at the siding for Betz Laboratories, Inc., now Pro Tech Marine, between Savoy Boulevard and Lebanon Road, northeast of Chatsworth village. On October 16, 1966, five juveniles, ranging in age from 11 to 15, were “fooling around” and decided to switch the track on the CNJ mainline to align with the 150-foot-long siding leading into the Betz facility. When the boys couldn't open the lock, they used a spike and a piece of tie to pry the lock open. After turning the switch, the boys took off. When freight train JS-1, operating from Bridgeton to Jersey City, came along early the next morning running at 40 m.p.h., the train entered the siding and the speed and sharp curve caused the two diesel locomotives and 10 cars of the 23-car train to derail just 80 feet from the new Betz building. The line entering the Betz plant was on a slight downgrade. Three train crewmen received injuries from the wreck and required hospitalization. The estimated damage caused by the wreck exceeded $1 million and it took over a week to clear the mainline and siding.
Best regards,
Jerseyman
Best regards,
Jerseyman