cthippo is right. Those are color light signals with the UP snow hood. The hood also helps to keep sunlight off the lenses. The signals are probably for for the existing drawbridge. The signals are mounted on a cantilever signal bridge as there does not appear to be sufficient clearance for a regular two leg bridge. The old signals are GRS searchlight type. In the 2nd photo is the bridge in the background the SusieQ drawbridge? There used to be an interlocking for that bridge also but as I said that was 25 years ago. The foundation for the cantilever has about 15 or more yards of concrete and the tower portion is installed with a slight cant away from the tracks. When the horizontal portion is added the tower is plumb. I didn't know CSX was using this type signal. Guess I will have to get in touch with a buddy of mine and get caught up on things.
RUSS! THANKS MAN! I'LL BRING YOU SOMETHING BACK FROM SAND PATCH! Gil, that is the Susie Q bridge in the background. The new third track comes right up to the old grade crossing gates! The track is installed but I wonder how much more work needs to be done on the bridge. The signals are more than likely for the yard. Those bridges will never open again. There's welded rail over them. Unless it's a law they have to be there....... The NYS&W has a neat office in those converted boxcars. I'm also changing my processing shop. This is the second time they have spotted my photos.
In regard to the welded rail on the bridge, there are occasions when the Coast Guard will allow the bridge to be made non operative if there has not been any water traffic for a long period of time. However, the railroad has to keep the bridge in operating condition and this means that the interlocking for the bridge protection must remain in service. The SusieQ used to have a round house and turntable on the other side of the bridge but is probably gone now.
Gil, there's nothing but those boxcar offices and a small fueling facility for NYS&W. there used to be two GP18's stationed there. Don't know where they went but the replacement is a GP38. It looks to have different colored stencils on it. Must have been a new paint job, with stencils that have already faded or where slightly off yellow. It's number 2012. CSX wants NYS&W for themselves. I don't know how long there will be a Susie Q. According to most of the locals, there's barely any traffic left on the NYS&W. Maybe some of our Members can give us a better outlook on them.
Johnny - I checked the CSX Timetables and the Little Ferry area is part of the Baltimore Div, Bergen Subdiv. from MP 2.1 at CP 2 to MP 7.5 at CP 7. South of MP 2.1 it is Conrail and north of MP 7.5 it is the CSX Albany Div, River Subdiv. At MP 5.8 is CP 5 which is the location in question. It is listed as the CP for a movable bridge. The entire territory from CP 2 to Selkirk, CP SK, is listed as 261 which is cTc.
Thanks Gil for that info! This is courtesy of Tristate Rail news: Tristate Railnews Digest 7/14/02 CSXT BRIDGE WORK CSXT will begin removing the out-of-service portion of the Overpeck Creek Trestle in Little Ferry, NJ shortly. The railroad will retain the current portion of the trestle which supports the Bergen Subdivision's single track mainline. Once the out-of-service portion is removed, work will commence on a new single track trestle. This will enable the Bergen Subdivision to be double-tracked. Work is expected to take approximately 10 months to complete.
