large block off RR in Atsion?

[TabernacleNative]

So I'm hiking out of Atsion yesterday and I find a large square depression off the RR away from the rest of the old homes in the woods. As I get over to it, there is a huge concrete block in the center of it, anchored into the ground. Its about 3 ft. x 3 ft. and very solid. It has four holes drilled into the top of it, obviously something was mounted on it. Anyone know what this was??

 

[Sue Gremlin]

You sure that depression was square?

 

[Trailhead00]

I believe what you found is the Atsion train turnstile. Good find on your part. It has been talked about here before, just do a search. I believe it's mentioned in the book about the Blue Comet. I have walked and driven by that numerous times and never knew it existed until someone on here mentioned it. That's why this website rocks!

 

[Teegate]

Trailhead is most likely correct. Here is my post on that. I fixed some of the links so the photo's mostly work now.

Atsion Turntable

All, Did you know that Atsion had a turntable? Let me explain, and if you have “The Trail of the Blue Comet” turn to page 149. A turntable was used to turn the engine, or for that matter, any individual train car around so that it was heading in the opposite direction. For example, if a train...

forums.njpinebarrens.com

Guy

 

[TabernacleNative]

Thanks Guy! As I expected, I figured you'd have the info. Your picture confirms that is exactly what I found. I've never explored over there since I figured the outskirts of Atsion ended at the tracks. I've just been working off trails lately preparing for an upcoming trip and have been finding more things. Including more foundations along the walking path from the Atsion Schoolhouse. Obviously Atsion used to be much more spread out.

 

[Kevinhooa]

Turntable

I know this is an old post but... Yep, that is correct. It is the site of the Engine facilities of the Raritan, Delaware Bay, and Atco Railroad that ran from Atsion to Atco. There was a turntable, an engine house and coaling facility with the same in Atco where the dirt parking lot it next to the NJT tracks. You can follow the right of way with google maps or something similar. It's straight most of the way. And it is a neat find as from what I've read, the facilities were abandoned in 1885.

 

[rforce1024]

I believe what you found is the Atsion train turnstile. Good find on your part. It has been talked about here before, just do a search. I believe it's mentioned in the book about the Blue Comet. I have walked and driven by that numerous times and never knew it existed until someone on here mentioned it. That's why this website rocks!

If you don't mind me asking and if you still have access to this post, where would I be able to find this? Is this by the atsion lake?
I would really like to see this. Thanks

 

[Boyd]

Unfortunately, Trailhead00 has not visited the site since 2011. Not immediately familiar with this location and the old link in Guy's post above is broken (will see if we can fix that). But looking at LIDAR just now, I'm wondering if this is the turntable (turnstile?)

https://boydsmaps.com/#17.00/39.736769/-74.725150/midatlidar/0.00/0.00

 

[rforce1024]

By looking at the map, there is something circular and the old tracks run close to it.also It doesn't look that far off on rt 206. Which kinda looks like it's around the furnace.. maybe this weekend if the weather is nice I may take a ride up there..

 

[rforce1024]

Also I was just told by friends that live in Indian Mills last night that there were old tracks just north of atsion lake where rt206 bends to the right

 

[Teegate]

That is the turntable.

 

[RednekF350]

Also I was just told by friends that live in Indian Mills last night that there were old tracks just north of atsion lake where rt206 bends to the right

That is the Raritan Atco-Atsion Spur. The railbed later became what is now Raritan Avenue in Atco. It's all dirt from te beginning of Wharton and srossed 206 near the Atsion Re arae driveway. Here's an old thread:

Spur from Atsion to Atco.

I'd like to know if anyone has any information on the spur line that ran from Atsion to Atco? I think the Central Railroad of NJ purchased it in the 1860's or so? Does anyone know when it was built, last time it was in operation and who tore up the tracks? I usually can find info on other...

forums.njpinebarrens.com

The 1870 Vermuele Map shows it crossing what is 206 and joining up with the Jersey Central tracks at the turntable east of 206.. The Jersey Central rail crossing on 206 was completely removed only about 10-15 years ago.

boydsmaps.com

 

[Boyd]

That is the Raritan Atco-Atsion Spur. The railbed later became what is now Raritan Avenue in Atco.

That was what I thought at first. However I'd describe it as "just south of atsion lake where rt206 bends to the left".

Were there tracks North of the lake? Don't recall seeing anything about that before.

there were old tracks just north of atsion lake where rt206 bends to the right

 

[RednekF350]

That was what I thought at first. However I'd describe it as "just south of atsion lake where rt206 bends to the left".

Were there tracks North of the lake? Don't recall seeing anything about that before.

There were never any tracks north of the lake. The lake is north of what used to be two separate crossings across 206. I moved the crosshair into that spot.

boydsmaps.com

 

[Boyd]

Exactly. So, I'm wondering what rforce1024's friend was talking about when they said "there were old tracks just north of atsion lake where rt206 bends to the right"? Seems like they have North/South and right/left mixed up!

 

[GermanG]

If you find yourself near it, the circular depression of the former turntable pit is not hard to make out, even if faint. The last time I was there, a stone block which I assumed was the pivot point for the turntable was at the center.

Regarding the Atco spur, its construction and use ended up with the R&DB RR in a major legal battle which its demise is partly attributed too. The best place to read about that is within the Trail of the Blue Comet, but the New Jersey Southern RR Wikipedia page discusses it as well.

 

[RednekF350]

Here is a view looking north toward Atsion Lake Rec entrance. Jersey Central tracks are visible on east side. The tracks were paved over regularly over the years and then removed completely 10-15 years ago.

 

[Teegate]

I have added the photos back into the thread for the Atsion and Whiting turntable.

Atsion Turntable

All, Did you know that Atsion had a turntable? Let me explain, and if you have “The Trail of the Blue Comet” turn to page 149. A turntable was used to turn the engine, or for that matter, any individual train car around so that it was heading in the opposite direction. For example, if a train...

forums.njpinebarrens.com

 

[rforce1024]

Exactly. So, I'm wondering what rforce1024's friend was talking about when they said "there were old tracks just north of atsion lake where rt206 bends to the right"? Seems like they have North/South and right/left mixed up!

I was trying to understand that myself... I don't remember tracks at the bend either.. I told him that unless it was somewhere else he mistaken.. it's all good

 

[rforce1024]

Here is a view looking north toward Atsion Lake Rec entrance. Jersey Central tracks are visible on east side. The tracks were paved over regularly over the years and then removed completely 10-15 years ago.View attachment 23472

Those I remember.. and the state had them removed