NJT Fan Trip

Special excursions are very rare in the northeast now, largely due to the anti-excursion attitude of NS, CSX and Amtrak now. NS stopped 21st Century Steam excursions after May 2017, and Amtrak banned special excursions in March 2018. For several years through October 2017, Amtrak had Autumn Express excursions which often went on to tracks that were freight only for years like the 2014 and 2016 excursions which went on to NS freight only lines in eastern PA which Amtrak will eventually run train service on in the future like from Reading to Philly and Allentown to New York. This excursion since it's celebrating an anniversary seems to be a one-off thing, much like the Lehigh Limited on August 29, 2013. Lehigh Limited was a circle trip from Hoboken, NJ to Bethlehem, PA, outbound was over the NS ex-Lehigh Valley line which last saw passenger service in Feb 1961, and return was up the NS Washington Secondary to Hackettstown then NJT to Hoboken. Excursions through my area near Allentown, PA were more common to 1988 then very rare after that. Conrail became sour toward railfan excursions after 1988 and in 1988 the NKP 765 and the BM&R ex-Reading #2102 came through Allentown. #2102 went from South Hamburg to Jim Thorpe in May and October, 1988 and 765 went from Bound Brook, NJ to BM&R's Temple Station on a circle trip and out and back trip in late July, 1988. Then the 765 returned to the Lehigh Valley in August 2015 for two excursions from near Bethlehem to Pittston and return over NS and RBMN in late August 2015.

The trip has been sold out. If you're thinking for trying to get photos be aware that the engine change at South Amboy and the stop at Bay Head will be closed to the public, only folks on the train allowed near the train/tracks and stations.

Saw it come through Middletown Station. Was really moving.