NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit and the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey will celebrate 40 years of NJ Transit rail operations the weekend of Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, with NJ Transit and the URHS partnering on a special excursion Sept. 30 and the transit agency displaying its heritage locomotives at Hoboken Terminal on Oct. 1.
“This historic rail weekend invites passengers, families, and enthusiasts to join NJ Transit in a unique experience that transcends time,” NJ Transit CEO Kevin S. Corbett said in a press release. “From the reenactment of the ‘South Amboy engine change’ to the nostalgic display of our heritage locomotives, this event will bring history lovers together to celebrate 40 years of rail service that has connected people and places across New Jersey.”
The Sept. 30 excursion, the 40th Anniversary Express, will travel between New York, Bay Head, and Hoboken, traveling on sections of the three major legacy systems — the Pennsylvania Railroad, Central Railroad of New Jersey, and Erie Lackawanna Railroad — that became part of NJ Transit. It will initially be hauled by the ALP-46A locomotive that has been wrapped in a PRR heritage scheme, then switched to F40 diesels at South Amboy in a recreation of the “South Amboy engine change” that was standard operating procedure for decades until 1988.
Participants will also have a unique opportunity to travel around the Bay Head loop and take a break for a catered lunch before traveling back to Newark Penn Station for a photo opportunity, then depart for the historic Hoboken Terminal. Photo opportunities will be available for passengers only.
“We are incredibly proud to be partnered with NJ Transit for this event,” said URHS Executive Director Kevin Phalon. “As historians, we want to tell important stories. This trip will help us reach a large audience in a whole new way and will help bring attention to the incredible 40-year story of NJ Transit’s commuter railroad.”
Tickets for the excursion will go on sale Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. at the URHS website. Along with several NJ Transit coaches, the consist will include the URHS’s two historic New York Central cars, former 20th Century Limited observation car Hickory Creek and tavern-lounge No. 43, as well as the Juniata Terminal Co.’s Warrior Ridge and Pennsylvania No. 120. The latter car will be reserved for VIPs; tickets in the other historic cars will include additional services and will be available for a premium fare. Fares range from $83 for coach to $399 for first class; more information is available here. Proceeds from the excursion will support the United Railroad Historical Society.
On Oct. 1, NJ Transit will display all of its heritage-decorated locomotives at Hoboken Terminal in an event open to the public and free of charge. A recruiting table will also be available for those interested in joining NJ Transit.
If not for a family wedding that day I’d be front and center. Oh well. For the ultimate NJ mashup I’d use the 3372 at South Amboy for the trip to Bay Head and back. That’s only happened once before.
That’s what suits NJ Transit on its 40th anniversary celebrations.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
This prominent historic rail weekend is a rare opportunity not to miss especially for all train enthusiasts from 7 to 77 years old.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
too bad they don’t have an operating GG1 to run.
Too bad 1361 isn’t ready to head to South Amboy. That would draw UP4014-sized crowds.
Maybe for the 50th for the 1361?