Montclair Connection
Encyclopedia
The Montclair Connection is a short section of double-track New Jersey Transit
rail connecting the former end of the Montclair Branch at Bay Street Station
to the old Boonton Line southeast of Walnut Street Station
. It opened on Monday, September 30, 2002, at a cost of $60,000,000. At the same time, Bay Street Station was rebuilt and Montclair State University station
was built. The Montclair and Boonton lines were combined into the Montclair-Boonton Line
, and passenger service was ended on the old Boonton Line east of the connection; the line was used by Norfolk Southern for freight, but parts of it have been reclaimed by nature or have fallen into disrepair, especially east of the Passaic River
, where two bridges remain permanently ajar. Stations that no longer see service because of the connection are:
The connection was built to give passengers on the Boonton Line direct access to New York Penn Station; prior to the change, Boonton Line trains could only go to Hoboken Terminal
. The idea for the connection was first proposed in 1929.
Another issue is that the line is not entirely electrified; catenary currently ends at Great Notch. Electric service was greatly expanded from Montclair to New York and Hoboken, but diesel service from Montclair westward was decreased. While the majority of trains from Montclair are bound for New York City, most of the trains from places in Morris and Warren counties still go to Hoboken, and there is no direct service to New York past Montclair.
The 28 families living in 30 homes on the path of the connection were displaced, and two streets were removed. It also takes more time to get to Hoboken Terminal
than with the old service, as the new alignment is longer, and because many trains on the line no longer go to Hoboken.
The town of Montclair also initially disapproved of weekend service, so passengers relied upon the private DeCamp Bus Lines
commuter service until weekend service began on November 8, 2009.
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
rail connecting the former end of the Montclair Branch at Bay Street Station
Bay Street (NJT station)
Bay Street Station is a New Jersey Transit station on Pine Street between Bloomfield and Glenridge Avenues in Montclair, New Jersey along the Montclair-Boonton Line. The station is served by all trains on the line, including all ten weekend trains. The first station of six in Montclair, Bay Street...
to the old Boonton Line southeast of Walnut Street Station
Walnut Street (NJT station)
Walnut Street is a New Jersey Transit station on Walnut Street at Depot Square in Montclair, New Jersey along the Montclair-Boonton Line. This is the most used station on the Montclair-Boonton Line....
. It opened on Monday, September 30, 2002, at a cost of $60,000,000. At the same time, Bay Street Station was rebuilt and Montclair State University station
Montclair State University (NJT station)
Montclair State University Station at Little Falls is a New Jersey Transit rail station in the Great Notch area of Little Falls, New Jersey on the Montclair-Boonton Line. It serves nearby Montclair State University as well as serving as a transfer station for trains on the line, and is located on...
was built. The Montclair and Boonton lines were combined into the Montclair-Boonton Line
Montclair-Boonton Line
The Montclair-Boonton Line is a commuter rail line of New Jersey Transit Rail Operations. It is part of the Hoboken Division. The line is a consolidation of three individual lines: the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad's Montclair Branch, which ran from Hoboken Terminal to Bay Street,...
, and passenger service was ended on the old Boonton Line east of the connection; the line was used by Norfolk Southern for freight, but parts of it have been reclaimed by nature or have fallen into disrepair, especially east of the Passaic River
Passaic River
The Passaic River is a mature surface river, approximately 80 mi long, in northern New Jersey in the United States. The river in its upper course flows in a highly circuitous route, meandering through the swamp lowlands between the ridge hills of rural and suburban northern New Jersey,...
, where two bridges remain permanently ajar. Stations that no longer see service because of the connection are:
- Benson Street StationBenson Street (NJT station)The Benson Street Station is an inactive train station that is located in the town of Glen Ridge, New Jersey. The station was a former stop on the Boonton Line, which runs from Hoboken Terminal to Hackettstown, reaching Benson Street in the middle of the residential portion. Benson Street was...
- Rowe Street StationRowe Street (NJT station)The Rowe Street Station is an abandoned train station that is located in the town of Bloomfield, New Jersey. The station was a former stop on the Boonton Line, which runs from Hoboken Terminal to Hackettstown, reaching Rowe Street in Bloomfield...
- Arlington StationArlington (NJT station)The Arlington Station is an abandoned train station that is located in the town of Kearny, New Jersey. The station was a former stop on the Boonton Line, which runs from Hoboken Terminal to Hackettstown...
The connection was built to give passengers on the Boonton Line direct access to New York Penn Station; prior to the change, Boonton Line trains could only go to Hoboken Terminal
Hoboken Terminal
Hoboken Terminal is one of the New York Metropolitan area's major transportation hubs. The commuter-oriented intermodal facility, is located on the Hudson River in Hoboken, New Jersey...
. The idea for the connection was first proposed in 1929.
Problems with the Connection
Several problems accompanied the opening of the Connection. One concern is that the three closed Boonton Line stations no longer have rail service.Another issue is that the line is not entirely electrified; catenary currently ends at Great Notch. Electric service was greatly expanded from Montclair to New York and Hoboken, but diesel service from Montclair westward was decreased. While the majority of trains from Montclair are bound for New York City, most of the trains from places in Morris and Warren counties still go to Hoboken, and there is no direct service to New York past Montclair.
The 28 families living in 30 homes on the path of the connection were displaced, and two streets were removed. It also takes more time to get to Hoboken Terminal
Hoboken Terminal
Hoboken Terminal is one of the New York Metropolitan area's major transportation hubs. The commuter-oriented intermodal facility, is located on the Hudson River in Hoboken, New Jersey...
than with the old service, as the new alignment is longer, and because many trains on the line no longer go to Hoboken.
The town of Montclair also initially disapproved of weekend service, so passengers relied upon the private DeCamp Bus Lines
DeCamp Bus Lines
DeCamp Bus Lines is a line-run operator serving Essex County, New Jersey with line run and charter service to and from Manhattan. Because there are no fixed stops other than termini, buses can be hailed to board; riders can request a stop to exit....
commuter service until weekend service began on November 8, 2009.