Morristown Line

TheMorristown Lineis anNJ Transitcommuter rail line connectingMorrisandEssexcounties toNew York City,via eitherNew York Penn StationorHoboken Terminal.Out of 60 inbound and 58 outbound daily weekday trains, 28 inbound and 26 outbound Midtown Direct trains (about 45%) use theKearny Connection(opened June 10, 1996) to Penn Station; the rest go to Hoboken. Passengers can transfer atNewark Broad StreetorSummitto reach the other destination. On rail system maps the line is colored dark green, and its symbol is a drum, a reference to Morristown's history during theAmerican Revolution.

Morristown Line
ADover-bound Morristown Line train made up of MultiLevel coaches getting ready to bypassMountain Station
Overview
Owner	Amtrak (New York Penn Station toKearny Connection) New Jersey Transit (all other trackage)
Locale	Northern New Jersey
Termini	Hoboken TerminalorNew York Penn Station Dover Hackettstown(limited service) Mount Olive(limited service)
Stations	26
Service
Type	Commuter rail
System	New Jersey Transit Rail Operations
Operator(s)	New Jersey Transit
Rolling stock	ALP-46andALP-45DPlocomotives,MultiLevel coaches,Comet coaches,Arrow III multiple units
Daily ridership	50,000 (13.5 million annually)
History
Opened	November 19, 1836 (Newark–Orange) January 1, 1838 (Orange–Morristown) July 4, 1848 (Morristown–Rockaway) July 31, 1848 (Rockaway–Dover) January 16, 1854 (Dover–Hackettstown) June 10, 1996 (New York–Newark viaKearny Connection/Midtown Direct)
Technical
Line length	57.4 mi (92.4 km)
Track gauge	4 ft8+1⁄2in(1,435 mm)standard gauge
Electrification	Overhead line,25 kV 60 Hz AC
Route map mi Washington Secondary toPhillipsburg 56.9 Hackettstown US 46 Musconetcong River 46.9 Mount Olive I-80 48.0 Netcong 45.8 Port Morris Yard Lackawanna Cut-Off toAndover Landing Masonry Bridge 45.4 Lake Hopatcong I-80 43.1 Mount Arlington Chester & High Bridge Branches Wharton Dover & Rockaway Branches US 46 38.1 Dover Dover Yard original alignment Rockaway 36.4 Denville MOBOviaMontclair 35.7 Mount Tabor Route 10 US 202 32.0 Morris Plains M&EMain Line to Roseland 29.8 Morristown I-287 27.7 Convent Station 25.5 Madison 23.5 Chatham Passaic River GLADtoGladstone 20.1 Summit Rahway Valley Railroad toRoselle Park Route 24 17.8 Short Hills Rahway River 16.5 Millburn 15.1 Maplewood 13.8 South Orange 13.1 Mountain Station 12.2 Highland Avenue I-280 11.4 Orange 10.6 Brick Church East Orange G.S. Parkway Grove Street 9.0 MOBO toHackettstown viaMontclair Roseville Avenue I-280 Newark Light Rail 7.8 Newark Broad Street Newark Drawbridge overPassaic River Harrison Harrison Cut-off Northeast Corridor toWashington 5.2 7.8 Kearny Connection │ Sawtooth Kearny Connection │ Bridges Sawtooth │ Waterfront Connection Hackensack River Meadows Maintenance Complex MAIN&BCLtoSuffern 5.0 Secaucus Junction Bergen Tunnels Hoboken Yard 0.0 Hoboken Terminal North River Tunnels underHudson River NJ NY 0.0 New York Penn Station East River Tunnels underEast River Sunnyside Yard LIRR Main Line toLong Island & AmtrakNEC toBoston

There is frequent service weekdays, with hourly service to/from New York (none going beyond Dover) on weekends. Until August 13, 2006, there was also hourly service to Hoboken. On that date, service between Hoboken and Summit was cut back to once every two hours on weekends. On May 11, 2008, off-peak weekday Hoboken-Dover trains (600 Series) were cut. In addition, weekend Gladstone trains were cut back to Summit, and a shuttle train is operated every two hours betweenNewark Broad StreetandHoboken Terminal.

The Millburn-Summit segment underwent extensive rehabilitation in the mid-2010s. This included the replacement of the creosote crossties on both tracks with concrete crossties, the replacement of all crossties on the double trestle over Short Hills Avenue, and the replacement of several sections of rail. Work has also progressed on rehabilitating both tracks between Summit and Dover with concrete crossties and new welded rail, and rehabilitation of select road overpasses.

Hurricane Sandyinflicted considerable damage on the Morristown Line on October 29–30, 2012, as fallen trees brought down catenary and signal wires and washed out sections of track, most notably through the New Jersey Meadowlands on both the main line and the Kearny Connection. Midtown Direct service was restored from Dover to New York on November 12, 2012;service to Hoboken and west of Dover resumed on November 19.

Description

The Morristown Line begins atHoboken Terminalor atNew York Penn Station.Trains departing for points west ofDoverrequire diesel locomotives. Immediately after leaving Hoboken, the route passes the coach and diesel yards before entering the 1908Bergen Tunnelsunder theNew Jersey Palisadesjust past the East End interlocking. At the west portal of the Bergen Tunnel is West End interlocking, where theMain Line,Bergen County LineandPascack Valley Linebranch off to the north. The Morristown Line then crosses overLower Hack Lift,a vertical lift bridge built in 1927 over theHackensack River.The line crosses underRoute 7and then passes NJ Transit'sMeadowlands Maintenance Complex(MMC).

Amtrak'sNortheast Corridorand theNew Jersey Turnpikecross overhead. The Midtown Direct trains join the Morristown line from New York at Kearny Jct. just past this overpass. The Morristown Line parallels the Amtrak Northeast Corridor andPATHlines andInterstate 280(I-280) for a short distance here. TheWaterfront Connectionis just prior to the overpass at Meadows interlocking. It allows selectedNorth Jersey Coast LineandRaritan Valley Linetrains to reach Hoboken from the Northeast Corridor Line.

Newark Drawbridgeover thePassaic Riverbridge. The swing bridge is to the right of the vehicularWilliam A. Stickel Memorial Bridge(I-280) lift bridge in background

Passing Passaic River by NJT train, east of Broad Street, in Newark, NJ

The line begins its journey by following I-280 and crosses a two-trackswing bridgeover thePassaic River.It enters the newly renovatedNewark Broad Street station,which features two high platforms serving all three tracks. Within the city limits of Newark, the line runs in a trench, passing beneath numerous streets, I-280, and theNewark City Subway.At the site of the formerRoseville Avenuestation, now known as the Roseville interlocking, theMontclair-Boonton Linediverges to the right. The section of the track extending westward from the Passaic River to just east of Millburn station is composed of triple tracks, while the remainder of the route toLake Hopatcong stationis adouble-track railway.

After passing the abandoned station at Grove Street, now the location of Green interlocking, the line crosses theGarden State Parkwayand reachesEast Orange,which is situated on a viaduct. Subsequent elevated stations includeBrick ChurchandOrange.The line then curves southward over Interstate 280, passing pastHighland AvenueandMountain Station.The next station isSouth Orange,an elevated structure with two platforms and three tracks, nearSeton Hall University.Maplewoodfollows, with a side platform and a center platform serving all westbound and some eastbound trains. Beyond Maplewood, the line narrows to two tracks at Millburn interlocking.MillburnandShort Hillsstations each have two side platforms serving two tracks.

Summit,a major node along the line, features two high platforms with the station building located above the tracks and a glass crossover above the platforms. Some weekday local services terminate and originate here. Many private schools are located in Summit, making commuting high school students a major source of traffic for this station. Schedules are timed for most Morristown trains to facilitate a convenient transfer to a Gladstone branch train across the platform.

West of Summit, theGladstone Branchdiverges, and the line crosses the Passaic River for the second time as it enters intoChatham Township.Chatham stationis situated on an embankment with two side platforms, whileMadison station,on a viaduct, features a recently refurbished 1916 station house on the eastbound side.

The line encounters its first grade crossing atConvent station,located nearSaint Elizabeth University.This station has two side platforms, with the main station building on the eastbound side and a brick waiting house on the westbound track. An old freight station is situated on the eastbound side, and two additional grade crossings follow this station.

Upon crossing I-287, the line entersMorristown.TheMorristown stationhas two low side platforms and a large station building that remains open throughout the week. The station is a focal point of a newtransit-oriented development,featuring ADA-compliant mini-high platform ramps at both ends. An abandoned freight station is located at the west end. West of the station, theMorristown & Erie Railway's main offices are located, and its main line diverges at this point.

The next station isMorris Plains,featuring a 1915 brick station structure. A local model railroad club occupies the freight house just north of the station. Beyond Morris Plains, the line curves through wooded areas, passing beneathRoute 10,and several crossings before reachingMount Tabor station,a small stop inDenville Townshipnear the community of the same name inParsippany.This station is served by select weekday and limited weekend services and lacks an eastbound platform.

Denville stationlies a short distance from Mount Tabor, where the Morristown Line converges with the Montclair-Boonton Line shortly after this station.

The line proceeds over Estling Lake and alongside theRockaway River,entering Dover.Dover station,the terminal stop within the electrified section, features a 1905 station that was recently renovated in the mid-1990s with a single high platform. Due to the cessation of electric traction infrastructure near this location, most NJ Transit services terminate here. As of 2022, all Midtown Direct Morristown Line services are exclusively electric, although future acquisitions of dual-mode locomotives by NJ Transit could alter this service configuration. Most Hoboken services on the Morristown Line are also electric, offering superior efficiency and performance, with only a few diesel-powered Hoboken services extending westward to Hackettstown. The Morristown Line's catenary wires end approximately half a mile west of Dover station near theU.S. Route 46(US 46) overpass. There are unfunded plansto extend electric service to Lake Hopatcong, as the Dover Yard is at capacity andWharton's substation has been operational since 1984.

Hackettstown station

Continuing westward, two tracks extend over the Rockaway River, passing D&R Junction in Wharton, where the Dover-Rockaway Branch ofMorris Countydiverges. Chester Junction, located on the left, provides a connection to the Chester and High Bridge Branch of Morris County. Mount Arlington park-and-ride station follows, with dual high platforms and 285 parking spaces near Exit 30 onInterstate 80(I-80). After passing beneath I-80,Lake Hopatcong stationis next. TheLackawanna Cutoffconnects on the right as the train approaches Port Morris Yard, which houses the diesel fleet serving both the Montclair-Boonton and Morristown lines.Netcong stationhas a brick station building on the low platform and served as the line's endpoint until late 1994. Crossing beneath I-80 again, the line enters the Mount Olive International Trade Center, where a station is positioned at Waterloo Valley Road.

The route traversesAllamuchy Mountain State Parkand runs along theMusconetcong Riveren route toHackettstown.A freight spur serving theM&M/Marsis located on the right before the line crosses US 46 in downtown.Hackettstown stationis located shortly thereafter, featuring a single low platform with a mini-high ADA ramp. The track beyond Hackettstown falls under the ownership ofNorfolk Southern Railwayand is operated by theDover & Delaware River Railroadas part of theWashington Secondaryextending to Phillipsburg.

Historically, the Morristown Line constituted the main line of theDelaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad.Until 1970, passenger services extended beyond Lake Hopatcong, reaching thePocono Mountains,Scranton, Pennsylvania,Binghamton, New York,andBuffalo, New York,via theLackawanna Cut-Off.Service along the Cut-Off toAndoveris anticipated to recommence post-2025, with the completion of the first phase of the Lackawanna Cut-Off Restoration Project. Future plans contemplate extending rail services into northeastern Pennsylvania, potentially reaching as far as Scranton.

Electrification

The Morristown Line east ofDover stationiselectrified,using 25 kV, 60 Hz AC overhead catenary wire. The line was electrified in 1930 at 3 kV DC, but was re-electrified in 1984 at the contemporary standard of 25 kV, 60 Hz. The connectingGladstone BranchandMontclair Branchwere also re-electrified at this time.

Stations

State	Zone	Location	Station	Miles (km)	Date opened	Date closed	Connections / notes
NY	1	Manhattan	Pennsylvania Station	0.0 (0.0)	1910		Amtrak(long distance):Cardinal,Crescent,Lake Shore Limited,Palmetto,Silver Meteor Amtrak (intercity):Acela,Adirondack,Carolinian,Empire Service,Ethan Allen Express,Keystone Service,Maple Leaf,Northeast Regional,Pennsylvanian,Vermonter Long Island Rail Road:Babylon,Belmont Park,City Terminal Zone,Far Rockaway,Hempstead,Long Beach,Montauk,Oyster Bay,Port Jefferson,Port Washington,Ronkonkoma,West Hempsteadbranches NJ Transit Rail:Gladstone,Montclair-Boonton,Northeast Corridor,Raritan Valley,North Jersey Coastlines New York City Subway:1,​2,and ​3(at34th Street – Penn Station (Seventh Avenue)),A,​C,and ​E(at34th Street – Penn Station (Eighth Avenue)) New York City Bus:M7,M20,M34 SBS,M34A,Q32 Academy Bus:SIM23,SIM24 Flixbus:Eastern Shuttle Vamoose Bus
NJ		Secaucus	Secaucus Junction	3.5 (5.6)	2003		NJ Transit Rail:Bergen County,Gladstone,Main,Meadowlands,Montclair-Boonton, Northeast Corridor,Pascack Valley,Raritan Valley, and North Jersey Coast lines Metro-North Railroad:Port Jervis Line NJ Transit Bus:2,78,129,329,353
		Hoboken	Hoboken Terminal	–	1903		NJ Transit Rail: Bergen County, Gladstone, Main, Meadowlands, Montclair-Boonton, Pascack Valley, Raritan Valley, and North Jersey Coast lines Metro-North Railroad: Port Jervis Line Hudson-Bergen Light Rail:8th Street-Hoboken, Hoboken-Tonnelle PATH:HOB-WTC,HOB-33,JSQ-33 (via HOB) NJ Transit Bus:22,22X,23,68,85,87,89,126 New York Waterway
	2
		Harrison	Harrison	7.13 (11.5)		September 16, 1984
		Newark	Newark Broad Street	10.4 (16.7)	November 19, 1836		NJ Transit Rail: Montclair-Boonton Line and Gladstone Branch Newark Light Rail:Broad Street – Newark Penn NJ Transit Bus:11,13,27,28,go28,29,30,41,72,76,78,108
	4
			Roseville Avenue	11.6 (18.7)		September 16, 1984
		East Orange
			Grove Street	12.2 (19.6)		April 7, 1991
			East Orange	12.6 (20.3)	November 19, 1836		NJ Transit Rail: Gladstone Branch NJ Transit Bus:21,71,73,79,94 Community Coach:77
			Brick Church	13.2 (21.2)	November 19, 1836		NJ Transit Rail: Gladstone Branch NJ Transit Bus:21,71,73,79,94,97 Community Coach: 77 ONE Bus:24
		Orange	Orange	14.1 (22.7)	November 19, 1836		NJ Transit Rail: Gladstone Branch NJ Transit Bus:21,41,71,73,92 Community Coach: 77 ONE Bus: 24, 44 West Orange Community Shuttle
	5		Highland Avenue	14.8 (23.8)			NJ Transit Rail: Gladstone Branch NJ Transit Bus:92 ONE Bus: 44
		South Orange	Mountain Station	15.7 (25.3)			NJ Transit Rail: Gladstone Branch NJ Transit Bus:92
			South Orange	16.5 (26.6)	September 17, 1837		NJ Transit Rail: Gladstone Branch NJ Transit Bus:92,107 ONE Bus: 31 South Orange Community Shuttle West Orange Community Shuttle
	6	Maplewood	Maplewood	17.8 (28.6)	September 17, 1837		NJ Transit Rail: Gladstone Branch Maplewood Community Shuttle
			Wyoming
	7	Millburn	Millburn	19.4 (32.2)	September 17, 1837		NJ Transit Rail: Gladstone Branch NJ Transit Bus:70
		Short Hills	Short Hills	20.4 (32.8)	July 1879		NJ Transit Rail: Gladstone Branch Springfield Community Shuttle
	9	Summit	Summit	22.7 (36.5)	September 17, 1837		NJ Transit Rail: Gladstone Branch NJ Transit Bus:70,986 Lakeland Bus:78
	10	Chatham	Chatham	26.1 (42.0)	September 17, 1837		NJ Transit Bus:873
	11	Madison	Madison	28.1 (45.2)	September 17, 1837		NJ Transit Bus:873
	12	Convent Station	Convent Station	30.3 (48.8)	1867		NJ Transit Bus:873,878,879
	14	Morristown	Morristown	32.5 (52.0)	January 1, 1838		NJ Transit Bus:871,872,873,874,880 Community Coach: 77
	16	Morris Plains	Morris Plains	34.6 (55.7)	July 4, 1848		NJ Transit Bus:872,880
		Mount Tabor	Mount Tabor	38.3 (61.6)			NJ Transit Bus:880
		Denville	Denville	39.3 (63.2)	July 4, 1848		NJ Transit Rail: Montclair-Boonton Line NJ Transit Bus:880
	17	Dover	Dover	43.1 (69.4)	July 31, 1848		NJ Transit Rail: Montclair-Boonton Line NJ Transit Bus:872,875,880 Terminus ofelectrification,transfer point between trains to New York/Hoboken and Dover
	19
		Wharton	Wharton			January 6, 1958
		Mount Arlington	Mount Arlington (limited service)		January 16, 1854 January 21, 2008	November 8, 1942	NJ Transit Rail: Montclair-Boonton Line Lakeland Bus: 80 Also known as Howard Boulevard Park and Ride
		Roxbury	Lake Hopatcong (limited service)	48.5 (78.1)	1882		NJ Transit Rail: Montclair-Boonton Line Lakeland Bus: 80
			Port Morris			April 24, 1949	Passenger service ended on April 24, 1949, but the site continued to serve as split of theLackawanna Cut-Off.
		Netcong	Netcong (limited service)	51.0 (82.1)	January 16, 1854		NJ Transit Rail: Montclair-Boonton Line Former western terminus, originally Netcong-Stanhope
		Mount Olive	Mount Olive (limited service)	52.7 (84.8)	January 16, 1854 October 31, 1994	April 24, 1960	NJ Transit Rail: Montclair-Boonton Line OriginallyWaterloo
		Hackettstown	Hackettstown (limited service)	60.0 (96.6)	January 16, 1854 October 31, 1994	September 30, 1966	NJ Transit Rail: Montclair-Boonton Line

Bibliography

• Douglass, A.M. (1912).The Railroad Trainman, Volume 29.Cleveland, Ohio:Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.RetrievedApril 4,2020.
• New Jersey Comptroller of the Treasury (1856).Annual Statements of the Railroad and Canal Companies of the State of New Jersey.Trenton, New Jersey:Office of "True American".RetrievedApril 7,2020.
• Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen (1913).The Conductor and Brakeman, Volume 30.Cedar Rapids, Iowa:Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen.RetrievedJanuary 23,2020.
• Platt, Charles Davis (1922).Dover Dates, 1722-1922: A Bicentennial History of Dover, New Jersey, Published in Connection with Dover's Two Hundredth Anniversary Celebration Under the Direction of the Dover Fire Department, August 9, 10, 11, 1922.Dover, New Jersey: Charles Davis Platt.RetrievedFebruary 25,2020.
• Stern, Robert A.M.; Fishman, David; Tilove, Jacob (2013).Paradise Planned: The Garden Suburb and the Modern City.New York, New York:The Monacelli Press.ISBN9781580933261.

External links

• NJ Transit (including Morris & Essex Line) Timetables