The Northern Branch
Exploring the Line
Tenafly to Closter
Photos
Copyright © 2004, 2005 Lewis Bogaty
except as noted
Text Copyright © 2006 Lewis Bogaty
C777 stopped for lunch north of Closter Dock
Road in Closter on October 28, 2004
The main action north
of Englewood, is in Closter, NJ. The crew services
two customers there, J. J. Demarest Lumber and Weyerhaeuser. On the
way, the train passes the historic Tenafly and Demarest train stations,
and the scenic pond that is home to many geese in Demarest.
From the Tenafly
station, follow Piermont Road along the tracks
into Cresskill. A park at Union and Madison Avenues was (we believe) the site
of the Cresskill train station. Or follow
Route 501 north from Tenafly directly to
Demarest. To get to the Demarest train station, turn left off 501 onto
Hardenburgh Avenue, taking the bridge over the water. You can
park in the dirt lot on the east side of the tracks. Walk back to
Route 501 for a view across the water.
Tenafly
Above: Northbound past the Tenafly train
station on September 13, 2004.
(This photo angle really requires morning sun to light the station.
Unfortunately, the train is not there in the morning.)
Above: 5-1 is southbound past the Erie Mile 17
marker in Tenafly on March 10, 2005. This spot is
along Dean Drive near Hamrah's store. Both engines are leased from Helm
Financial.
Demarest
Right: Approaching the Demarest train station on October 28,
2004.
The front engine is a leased Helm Financial SD40-2.
Closter
Lunchtime in Closter: The crew generally
reaches Closter around 1:00 and parks
just north of Closter Dock Road. Above: January 25, 2005. The lead engine is
leased from
CIT Leasing/Tyco Capital. Below: August 26, 2004 .
At J. J. Demarest Lumber
Switching lumber cars at J. J. Demarest Lumber. Above: October 1, 2004. Below: October 28, 2004.
Above: September 13, 2004, on the J. J.
Demarest siding.
Prior to a derailment in Northvale in May 2004, the crew often moved both
engines
to the south end of the train "on the fly" at the end of the line for the trip
back to North Bergen.
Recently, however, they move one engine to the rear of the train in Closter for
the trip to Northvale,
and then move the second engine to the south end of the train when they return
to Closter.
At Weyerhaeuser
[2007 update: We understand that the Weyerhaeuser plant
has closed after a fire.]
Above: Approaching the Weyerhaeuser siding on
Railroad Avenue in Closter, October 11, 2004.
Copyright © 2004 Michael Bogaty
Above & Below: Reversing across Railroad Avenue,
delivering boxcars to Weyerhaeuser, October 11, 2004.
Copyright © 2004 Michael Bogaty
Above: On the Weyerhaeuser siding. August 26,
2004.
Above: Coming off the Weyerhaeuser siding
on October 12, 2004.
In the foreground, an Erie whistle post for Blanche Avenue.
Below: May 10, 2004.
