NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations 40th Anniversary

January 1, 2023 marked the 40th anniversary of NJ TRANSIT assuming control and management over the operations of New Jersey’s commuter rail network, which was previously operated by Conrail under contract with NJ TRANSIT and the State of New Jersey.  

Over the 40 years that followed, NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations improved New Jersey’s passenger train network by investing in modernized equipment, rebuilding infrastructure and rights-of-way, introducing one-seat rides to Penn Station New York on three lines, increasing capacity, extending electrification on two busy corridors, and much, much more. We look forward to achieving another 40 years of progress as we continue to grow and improve the system. 

In recognition of this anniversary, NJ TRANSIT planned multiple events and unveilings surrounding this important milestone, which are detailed and memorialized below. Here’s to 40 years!
 

“All Aboard” the 40th Anniversary Express!

On September 30, 2023, NJ TRANSIT and the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey partnered to operate a special excursion train entitled the “40th Anniversary Express” in honor of NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations’ 40th year of public service. The special excursion train traveled between New York, Bay Head, and Hoboken over sections of all three of NJ TRANSIT’s major legacy commuter systems: the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Central Railroad of New Jersey, and the Erie Lackawanna Railroad.

The special train was hauled first by NJ TRANSIT’s Pennsylvania Railroad heritage locomotive (4636), wrapped in a historic livery to represent the many GG1 locomotives that hauled commuters in New Jersey from the 1930s to the 1980s. Behind the Pennsylvania unit was the freshly redecorated Engine No. 464O, which honor’s NJ TRANSIT’s corporate heritage using its “disco stripe” livery.

Participants then witnessed a recreation of the famous “South Amboy engine change,” which was a ritual that occurred at South Amboy station for decades until 1988. After that, the second portion of the trip was hauled by a pair of F40PH-2CAT diesels; the F40 was the first model locomotive purchased by NJ TRANSIT as part of its major renewal in the agency’s early years, and the pair are the only two active F40PH-style locomotives remaining in NJ TRANSIT colors.

After a rare revenue trip around the Bay Head Loop and a stop for lunch nearby, the 40th Anniversary Express continued east for a photo stop at historic Newark Penn Station before wrapping up the day at Hoboken Terminal’s Track 8, which is located in the heart of that historic railroad facility. In all, the 40th Anniversary Express was a fun, educational, and unforgettable experience for the four hundred passengers on board – and for the countless “rail buffs” and members of the public who saluted and photographed this special train along its route.

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Heritage Locomotives

Since our company-wide 40th Anniversary in 2019, and continuing through Rail Operations’ 40th Anniversary in 2023, NJ TRANSIT decorated six locomotives in “heritage” paint schemes to honor the predecessor railroads and employees that make up our system. Read below to learn more about their history:

ALP-46A 4636: “Pennsylvania Railroad” 

Built by Bombardier in 2010 and wrapped by NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations forces in September of 2019, the 4636 wears the iconic Pennsylvania Railroad “Tuscan Red” paint scheme in honor of that railroad’s innovative and behemoth GG1 locomotive. NJ TRANSIT inherited several GG1s at its formation, one of which (4877) had been decorated in the Tuscan Red scheme in 1981.  The GG1s were all retired by October of 1983 during the railroad’s first year of operation. The 4636 can be found operating on any NJ TRANSIT line powered by overhead electric catenary, which are the wires above many of our tracks.

 

ALP-45DP 4519: “Erie Lackawanna”

Built by Bombardier in 2011, the 4519 is a dual-power locomotive, meaning it can operate on any NJ TRANSIT line. In 2019, Rail Operations wrapped the 4519 in its classic Erie Lackawanna Railway gray, yellow, and maroon scheme found commonly on freight and passenger trains in the 1960s and 70s after the merger of the Erie and Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroads in 1960. The 4519 can be found operating on nearly every NJ TRANSIT line.

 

 

GP40PH-2 4109: “Central Railroad of New Jersey”

Built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors (EMD) in 1968, the 4109 is one of 13 GP40P locomotives ordered for the Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ) and funded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) to replace older motive power assigned to the Raritan Valley and North Jersey Coast Lines. Initially built as GP40P No. 3677, the locomotive was absorbed into the NJ TRANSIT fleet during the 1980s and was eventually rebuilt and renumbered to GP40PH-2 No. 4109. When new, these locomotives provided heat to conventional coaches via steam generators but were upgraded to provide power for lighting, heating, and air conditioning for the train from a diesel head-end power unit. Rail Operations repainted the 4109 into CNJ colors during September 2019 to pay tribute to its “as-delivered” paint scheme in celebration of  NJ TRANSIT Corporation’s 40th Anniversary. The locomotive is generally found on the Morristown, Montclair-Boonton, Main, Bergen, and Pascack Valley Lines.

 

 

GP40PH-2 41O1: “NJDOT”

As the fourth installation of our heritage fleet, GP40PH-2 41O1 was repainted into its transition-era “Bluebird” scheme in September of 2022 to honor the role NJDOT and Conrail played before NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations was born. Like 4109, the 4101 is also part of the 13-unit GP40P order from EMD purchased by the CNJ in 1968. While it originally wore the 4109’s CNJ scheme, it was renumbered and repainted into the NJDOT “Bluebird” scheme worn by multiple locomotives during the period of NJDOT-funded, Conrail-operated commuter service prior to the commencement of NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations in 1983. In fact, this unit wore “Bluebird” colors from 1978 until 1981. The unit number displayed on the locomotive uses a “Capital Letter O” instead of the numeral zero which was consistent with Conrail practice at that time.  Rail Operations repainted the 41O1 into its “Bluebird” scheme in September of 2022. Like 4109, the 41O1 is also generally found on the Morristown, Montclair-Boonton, Main, Bergen, and Pascack Valley Lines.

 

 

ALP-46A 464O: “NJ TRANSIT Chevron Scheme”

Repainted and decaled in August of 2023 by NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations, the 464O pays homage to the agency’s chevron (commonly known as “Disco Stripe”) logo, which was once found on nearly the entire NJ TRANSIT fleet, including E60CH and ALP-44 locomotives. If you look closely, you will notice the nose of 464O mimics the nose of an ALP-44, while the sides are an adaptation of the E60CH’s scheme. This locomotive also features the Rail Operations 40th Anniversary logo, which can now be seen in stations, yards, and other facilities across our system. The 464O can be found operating on any NJ TRANSIT line powered by overhead electric catenary.

 

 

GP40PH-2B 4210: “Erie Railroad”

Locomotive 4210 is the latest addition to NJ TRANSIT’s heritage fleet and made its first revenue run on November 8, 2023. Rail Operations repainted the locomotive  into an adaptation of the Erie Railroad’s black-and-yellow scheme to honor one of the original NJ TRANSIT predecessor railroads with a main line running from New Jersey west to Chicago. EMD built the 4210 in 1968 for a different NJ TRANSIT predecessor, Penn Central, to be used in freight service. The 4210 then passed to Conrail before finding its ultimate home within NJ TRANSIT’s fleet. The 4210’s scheme was commonly found on locomotives leading passenger trains out of the DL&W’s Hoboken Terminal after the Erie’s passenger operations shifted there from Pavonia Terminal in Jersey City. This locomotive can also generally be found on the Morristown, Montclair-Boonton, Main, Bergen, and Pascack Valley lines.

“Meet the Heritage Fleet” Equipment Display

On Sunday October 1st – the day after the 40th Anniversary Express – NJ TRANSIT displayed most of its heritage equipment (and a few special guests) within Historic Hoboken Terminal from 10AM to 4PM. With thousands of excited railfans and members of the public cycling through during the day, and an outdoor street fair taking place nearby, “Meet the Heritage Fleet” quickly became a festive, family-friendly happening that educated and inspired attendees. Visitors interested in joining NJ TRANSIT’s ranks also availed themselves of a bustling recruitment table located within the display area.

Employee Recognition

On September 14, 2023, NJ TRANSIT honored its “Forty Year Club,” which consists of 30 employees who have been with the railroad or its corporate predecessors since the initiation of Rail Operations service in 1983. At that day’s Board of Directors meeting, NJDOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti; NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett; and Senior Vice President and General Manager of Rail Operations James A. Sincaglia presented this distinguished group with a proclamation, individualized certificates, and a hearty “congratulations” on behalf of New Jersey’s past, present, and future rail passengers. The “Club” then proceeded to the Rail Operations Conference Center for a reunion breakfast with their colleagues and loved ones.

Heritage Locomotive Special Assignments

In the days surrounding July 4, 2023, NJ TRANSIT assigned GP40PH-2 41O1 (NJDOT) to the Atlantic City Line, and GP40PH-2 4109 (Central Railroad of NJ) to the North Jersey Coast Line. These special assignments marked the first time the 4109 has operated on the North Jersey Coast Line since being repainted into its CNJ livery, and the first time the 41O1 has operated in service on the Newark Division since being repainted in September of 2022.

In the days surrounding Labor Day, GP40PH-2 4109 was once again assigned to home trackage, this time on the Raritan Valley Line between Newark and High Bridge. As our marketing department put it, these special assignments generated a “metric ton” of social media engagement!

Donation of ALP-44M No. 4424 to the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey

In the overnight hours during the Fourth of July weekend, while most were fast asleep, a group of hardworking NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations employees rolled an historic ALP-44 locomotive into its new home at the United Railroad Historical Society’s preservation facility in Boonton. The ALP-44 holds a special place  in the heritage of Rail Operations as being the first electric locomotive purchased new by the agency during a time of improving rail service in the 1990s. Our 40th anniversary was the perfect opportunity to make No. 4424 the newest and youngest addition to the Society's collection for the education and enjoyment of future New Jerseyans.

Meadows Maintenance Complex Family Day 2023

On Sunday, October 7, 2023, NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations held an official commemoration as part of our annual Family Day celebration at the Meadows Maintenance Complex in Kearny. As with each year, employees and their families were cordially invited for a day of food, fun, and railroad magic in a safe and welcoming environment, provided the event did not conflict with their work duties. President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett also held a ceremonial christening of two NJ TRANSIT Heritage Locomotives to ring in the next four decades of dedicated service.

The Decades to Come

NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations’ 40th Anniversary was about a celebration of all the agency has accomplished in its history, represented by special equipment and trains that generated smiling faces.   For NJ TRANSIT, our goal was to create these experiences to work to educate and inspire future generations of NJ TRANSIT riders, employees, and supporters so that our railroad can build on our rich heritage over the decades to come.

Rail Operations hopes that the ripple effects of our efforts continue to strengthen belief in and ridership of NJ TRANSIT’s rail network, and we invite you to reach out with your ideas for future commemorations. We face challenges today that will require our entire workforce to come together and keep NJ TRANSIT the best railroad it can be. A celebration like these helps build the cooperation and camaraderie that is so critically important on every successful railroad.  The future will require more of that. Given our rich history, we are confident that the hardworking men and women of NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations are up to that task.

So with your support, we look forward to saluting the last forty years – and saying, “All Aboard!” to countless future decades of service to the riding public.