This Historical NJ Train Station Has Its Days Numbered

[@BruceFJRay]

As a person the grew up in Paterson, NJ, this video reminds me of the imposing DL&W station south of the down town area of Paterson. It was built into the side of Garret Mountain(Garret Rock, as the old timers called it). I'm 80 yrs. old, so I remember it well. I attended high school only a short distance from that station, and remember seeing commuter trains, climbing Garret Mountain from one of my class rooms. BTW, the Boonton Branch was way more of a heavy duty 2 track main line. Thank you for this video and the information.

[@thomasturrin8984]

Interesting video - I remember a lot of what you covered. I grew up in Wayne and Clifton in the late 50's and 60's. I still work in NYC and commute on NJT (former Erie). My father used to say that the City Passaic was glad to have the section of the Erie main line cut out from running via downtown Passaic because the trains (which were very frequent then) were disruptive of traffic. I used to love watch the trains run through Passaic when shopping with my mother or grandmother in downtown Passaic. Too bad the EL didn't agree to retain one track of the original Boonton Branch for heavy freight (which would have been aligned with the new Rt 80) - this could have helped to retain the Lackawanna cutoff. The early 1960's (in general) were a time of tremendous change for US railroads. Many railroads and lines survived in original form with fairly high service levels through the 50's but by the early 60's, it was game over. The Kingsland station has a 3rd track which led to a wye where they had a maintenance shop (DLW shop). As of earlier this month, the new Lyndhurst station was still under construction.

[@Benthetrainkid]

This station needs to be saved from demolition

[@SomeTrainNerd]

They are estimating currently that Kingsland would close in May of 2025, but that might get pushed back depending on when the new Lyndhurst station will open.

[@vincebagadonis8016]

Totowa: Tota-wa. Say it quick. That's how we say it here in North Jersey. You said TO-TO-WA.

[@jaredhaase5282]

You can check Google Maps - the "new" Lyndhurst station is under construction. As someone who took NJT from Kingsland every morning and evening for several years, I never believed the "low ridership" claims because (especially since the mega condos down the road opened) it was nearly impossible to get onto this train every morning, there were so many passengers boarding.

[@RailPreserver2K]

What about the station building on top of the bridge ? Do they plan to save it ?

[@westofhudsonstudios4726]

From what I've heard, the station building will be renovated and turned into a coffee shop.

[@I-never-existed]

I saw it on my first time of the NJT. It was insane just seeing old tracks for the platform, I’m hoping they don’t change it

[@ERIELACKU34CH]

We have no plans to close this station. This rumor got started on Facebook and spread like wildfire. Great videos though.

[@westofhudsonstudios4726]

Do you know if the plans for renovation are confirmed?

[@leoross5777]

who are you to speak for njt? the station agency closed with REA . i dont even think it has a ticket vending machine since 1987 its just a boarding stop

[@ERIELACKU34CH]

@@leoross5777 Ive worked for NJT for 15 years. I work that line. Also there are 2 ticket machines there. I do have friends in management as well. We are not closing the station.

[@hirampriggott1689]

Please don't get rid of Mahwah! I use that station. I heard NJ transit allocated budget money to restore the roof of Mahwah Station.

[@dennisrockbottomskelly7948]

NICE work...Appreciate it !

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Good report! Well done! Yes it's sad but here's the thing about BIG antiques whether they're buildings, ships, trains, planes, or what have you. Even though their time of utility has come and gone if they can't still earn their keep in one way or another they don't last very long. Just the way it is. Other old NJT stations still have quite a bit of utility in them so the survival rate is good. Unfortunately the old Kingsland station doesn't fall into that category.

[@leoross5777]

kingsland was our railroad B&B sign shop in the 80's then the signal dept used it. i dont see any reason why the structure would be razed. its brick and reinforced concrete, it would make a great coffee shop even if no commuter stop was utilized

[@Ironsides_Dalek_12]

i actually go to the elementary school nearby! its really sad to see a iconic landmark being taken away.

[@mvl9591]

Orient Way not Schuyler Ave. Schuyler is a little south of here. You make left on Page Avenue, then a right turn and that’s the beginning of Schuyler. I lived on Valley Brook Avenue for twenty seven years.

[@leoross5777]

is the schulyer diner still there? riding the conrail job on the kingsland branch , the engineer wally seagull (sp) used to make a stop behind it, and id jump off and get a rice pudding for me and a pea soup for him. . it was arguably the best in the state in '89

[@mvl9591]

@@leoross5777 that spur is not used anymore. It crossed Valley Brook Ave and New Jersey Ave then crosses Orient Way. The spur reconnected out in the meadowlands. The sky dive is still there. The train crew took me for a ride one time.

[@leoross5777]

@@mvl9591 back in the 90's i was on a drill that derailed right around the bridge over the belleville pike. , just one boxcar , but they had to sit there waiting for the block truck .

[@leoross5777]

@@mvl9591 i remember riding thru that garbage bailing facility one time, there were still horses in a pasture next door too

[@mvl9591]

@@leoross5777 yes the horses were under the power lines. Can’t believe they built houses there!

[@The_DuMont_Network]

I am so glad to hear a HUMAN voice over a video such as this. Thank you for your effort. However, comma, may I suggest you slow your pace a little, this will help minimize stumbling. Then edit the track to remove the miscues. This will greatly enhance the quality and enjoyment of your productions. In he meanime, keep up the good work!

[@roxxma]

Great tips, I will add that the stumbles and misqueues kind of add to the charm of the video, in a John Wilson kind of way.

[@HeatherLandon227]

It'd be cool if the main building could be used as a museum or something, to at least preserve the main building. It being located on Ridge Road. Maybe a neighborhood cafe. *shrug* I'm just thinking out loud. It'd make such a neat railroad themed cafe. NJ Transit.. not very good on preserving railroad history. Really sad. One of my favorite examples of re-using old railroad station buildings, is turning them into new commercial areas for the core downtowns the passenger rail service used to serve.

[@westofhudsonstudios4726]

well, the URHS museum in Boonton and the Whippany Train Museum in Hanover have excellent examples of preserved NJ history, but besides that, i gotta agree. I also think it'll make a great railroad-themed cafe, especially since people can have a view of the tracks and trains passing by!

[@nolikiner]

"...THE BOONTON BRANCH OF THE DL & W RAILROAD..."

[@Redhand1949]

I used to live in Lyndhurst. Loved this. Can you do a piece about the Peapack and Gladstone stations?

[@westofhudsonstudios4726]

in the foreseeable future, definitely! during the summer it's a thought of mine that I might railfan at either station!

[@williamschlenger1518]

Very good video.

[@unconventionalideas5683]

I like this station but it needs improvement. If they keep the old station building and some fixtures I would be more than happy.

[@haroldalexis4200]

Kinda sad to see these stations neglected. I may have past this station on my travels on The Mid Town Direct. I could be mistaken. Meanwhile that train wreck you mentioned sounds like across the river & in Brooklyn New York The BRT el & subway crash at Malbone Street. This station has potential to be saved. I am glad you showed this well appreciate this as a railroader to. Excellent narration. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🛤🛤🛤🛤🎥👍

[@am74343]

Caution! Ears blasted out @ 1:36!

[@MrBaskins2010]

solid vid fam

[@josephpadula2283]

One word . MAPS! We have No idea what you are talking about 80% of the time and I was from NJ!!!

[@RaisedLetter]

You may like but it's honestly one of the worst stations on the network. Not the station building per se but the lack of accommodations to and for the platforms. Also the fact Main Line is diesel only and any train stopping at Kingsland would also have to stop at Lyndhurst itself only makes the consolidation of Lyndhurst stations more reasonable with the current state of those two stations. I do hope they save the Kingsland station building as it would serve no benefit for NJT to demolish that along with the old platforms.

[@leoross5777]

oh , poor baby has to climb some stairs awwwe

[@RaisedLetter]

@@leoross5777 station's still on the chopping block. Cry about it.

[@leoross5777]

@@RaisedLetter i used to work in it. i often wanted to burn it to the ground. the only one crying is your mother, i left her hanging

[@trainman927]

amazing dohe

[@maestromecanico597]

Station depot?

[@littlegp18]

Watches video. Sees alcos. Turns video off

[@Josephcavagnaro]

aww they're closing kingsland?

[@rebooted.jupiter_]

yup. kingsland and lyndhurst

[@bobwigg761]

The name “Schuyler” is actually pronounced “Skyler”. “Totowa” is pronounced “Toe Two Wha” Glad you got Kearny right, that gets mispronounced often.

[@michaelcharley8384]

Too many digressions to explain the said subject.

[@Transit_Biker]

What a waste.

[@jeffreywayne3127]

To-to-wa? It isn't pronounced like Dorothy's dog from Oz with a "wa" at the end. It's a long "O" sound with the accent on the first syllable. Nice report but please get your pronunciations of New Jersey towns correct.

[@bgpdx1914]

The info is interesting, but the video is terribly amateurish. You need to go over your material and pre-read your script so you don't fumble it so frequently.

[@jeffgolden253]

You don't live in New Jersey, do you? People who can't pronounce the names of New Jersey towns shouldn't make videos about them.

[@westofhudsonstudios4726]

i do live in new jersey, i'm just not familiar with totowa that much yet, so sorry if i may have caused you confusion.

[@samanthab1923]

@@westofhudsonstudios4726Not to worry. I grew up in Monmouth Co. my hubby Passaic. He always got a kick out of my pronoucations of Allamuchy & Moonachie 😆👋🚂

[@richardmakowski1145]

I grew up hanging g down there

[@leoross5777]

this guy is all over the place

[@thecastle09]

njt cares very little about history etc.

[@johnlister]

I would like to see the station building repurposed for something like the proposed coffee-shop. However both Lyndhurst (old) and Kingsland are very unfriendly to anyone needing any sort of ramps or level boarding. Not just handicapped people, but those with luggage (or, in my case, a hand truck with equipment). And the outbound staircase at Lyndhurst was just plain dangerous being nothing more than wooden boards. I would like the station buildings to remain, but a new station in the middle, fully accessible, is going to be a boon!