Nostalgia & History > Sunset Shoo Fly

Conrail inherited the River Line (fomerly River Division) on it's 4/1976 start up.

It was a New York Central / Penn Central freight only line (still is, now CSX) between Selkirk, New York and the vast amount of yards in New Jersey. 
Around 130 miles in length, it didn't fare too well maintenance wise under the perpetually cash strapped Penn Central.
It was always a 4 axle line and 6 axle stuff was never seen until right before Conrail took over.

Conrail moved in pretty quick with welded rail and ballast and soon there was no restriction on locomotive types and train speeds picked up.

However, at Little Ferry, New Jersey, there was a movable bridge across Overpeck Creek that was in terrible shape and slapped with a constant speed restriction.

Again, Conrail stepped up and in 1978, gave the bridge an overhaul. 

Penn Central EMD GP40 3244 shows the old timber work as it crosses the bridge heading North.
Little Ferry, New Jersey.
September, 1974

 

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Conrail slapped down a shoo fly and moved the track on the bridge over so work could be done.

At sundown, a Southbound freight is about to "shoo fly" it around the cut River Line main.

Typical early Conrail lash up of SD40, U25B, GP38-2, GP40 and another SD40.
All black and no blue units.

LIttle Ferry, New Jersey.
September, 1978.



 

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The units keep rolling along at walking speed as they prepare to cross the bridge.on the temporary track.
Note the old main is rusted up and that ex-New York Central signal lasted all through Conrail untill the CSX removed it.

Little Ferry, New Jersey.
September, 1978.

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Conrail EMD GP38 7907 & GP40-2 3378 are crossing the "new old" bridge Northbound.
They're headed to a power plant in Roseton, New York for empty hoppers.

In this shot, you can see how they reinforced the bridge with steel beams and concrete piles.
Can't recall how long the whole job took, but it was done quick.

Little Ferry, New Jersey.
August, 1991.
 

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