Roselle Park (NJT station)

Infobox Station
name=Roselle Park
style=NJT Rail


image_size=250
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other=NJT Bus: 94 and 113(S)
platform=Center Island Platform
levels=
tracks=2
parking=
bicycle=
baggage_check=
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pass_year=
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opened=April 30, 1967
closed=
rebuilt=
electrified=
ADA=
code=
owned=
zone=7
former=
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Roselle Park (Roselle Park, New Jersey) is a New Jersey Transit railroad station on the Conrail Lehigh Line, served as part of Raritan Valley Line Service. It's located at: W Webster Ave & Locust St, Roselle Park, Union, New Jersey 07204. [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=W+Webster+Ave+%26+Locust+St,+Roselle+Park,+Union,+New+Jersey+07204,+United+States&sll=40.649111,-74.34813&sspn=0.007994,0.019312&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=0,40.666170,-74.268150&ll=40.670174,-74.268157&spn=0.007991,0.019312&z=16&layer=c&cbll=40.66617,-74.26815&panoid=pPVP2og612Ybah4ZO1wk9w&cbp=1,0,,0,5 See Map]

It was built during the late 1960s during the implementation of the Aldene project which rerouted Central Railroad of New Jersey trains (one of NJ Transit's predecessor railroads) to Pennsylvania Station in Newark, New Jersey. [http://world.nycsubway.org/us/njtransit/raritan.html] The station is unique because it has a gauntlet track (a slightly shifted-over track) on the eastbound side that allows freight trains to pass the high level platform safely.

History

The station is located on the Conrail Lehigh Line, the former Lehigh Valley Railroad mainline. The second station to stand on the property, this incarnation was built in 1967 as part of the Aldene Connection Plan. At that time it was served by the Central Railroad of New Jersey, and continued to be until bankruptcy struck, and the CNJ was forced to fold into the Consolidated Rail Corporation on April 1, 1976. On that date, the New Jersey Department of Transportation took over commuter rail operations. In 1981, the State of New Jersey created New Jersey Transit to oversee all commuter operations, rail and bus, in the state. Since then, NJTransit has continued to operate and improve services on the Raritan Valley Line service.

Freight Trains

The station's location is prime for seeing freight traffic. Conrail's Lehigh Line comprises the principal East-West route for co-parent company Norfolk Southern, and is an important part of the North-South corridor for other co-parent company CSX. In addition to Conrail and its owners, the station also sees the passing of Canadian Pacific Railway trackage rights trains tri-weekly.

Railfanning

Although the station doesn't offer the greatest angles for photography, the center island platform is a favorite among railfans. Being literally between the action, one is guaranteed to never miss a train. On occasion, a railfan can ever experience what the local enthusiasts refer to as "vertigo". The term refers to intense amount of sights and sounds one experiences as two trains pass through the station at the same time, in opposite directions, on opposite tracks.

Traffic is best for trainwatching Tuesday through Saturday, when 65-75 trains per day, including NJTransit, can pass this favored location. The station is a safe and friendly location to practice the railroad hobby. Fast food, a diner, and restaurants are located near by, all within a half mile radius, and offer a wide variety of choices. 7-Eleven is also located directly across Locust Street from the parking lot.

External links

* [http://www.njtransit.com New Jersey Transit OnLine]
* [http://world.nycsubway.org/us/njtransit/raritan.html world.nycsubway.org - NJT Raritan Line]
* [http://www.hobokenterminal.com Unofficial NJTransit Homepage]
* [http://www.rosellepark.net Roselle Park Online]