RAILFAN GUIDES of the U.S.
Todd's
Railfan Guide to
NJT's RIVER LINE LIGHT RAIL
Camden -- Trenton NJ
In General
Map
Station by Station
Signals
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New Jersey Transit's River Line travels between downtown Camden and downtown Trenton NJ. It travels past Conrail's Pavonia yard in Camden, where the shops are on the north side of the yard. It takes a little getting used to, as the LRV's are diesel powered instead of being electric.... so there is no overhead wire.
The signals of the system are varied, taking in railroad style color lights, dwarf color lights with LED's, and bar signals.
The above picture was taken at the 36th Street station by David, and found on Wikipedia.
Pictures and additional information is always needed if anyone feels inclined to take 'em, send 'em, and share 'em, or if you have something to add or correct.... credit is always given! Contact info is here
click here for the above map in PDF format
The River Line is only the second line I know of to use a diesel powered car in lieu of the traditional overhead electrical power (the other one is the Ottawa ON line) in North America. Even being diesel powered, the cars are still quiet, and I have to admit, they do look nicer while running through the "downtown" areas. In addition, they are not at the mercy of the power grid in case of a power outage.
The ends of the line offer many spots to catch some good shots, as well as selected points in between. I haven't had much chance to railfan the line, but in looking at www.bing.com/maps, the route around Bordentown seem especially nice as you run through "open" country and in and around the water. Grabbing a map of Camden, you can easily find access to the far side of the yard from the shops. Fares are very reasonable considering the distances involved.... it's too bad they don't offer a day pass :-(
The River Line's hours are:
6am - 10pm during the weekdays, every 15 minutes peak, 30 minutes off peak,
6am - 12mid on Saturdays, every 30 minutes,
6am - 10pm on Sundays and holidays:
(New Years, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day)
The basic fare is $1.35, one-way...
tickets are good for two hours once validated,
They DO NOT offer a day pass like the Baltimore Light Rail does, although bus
ticket transfers are good.
CAMDEN - WATERFRONT ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
CAMDEN - AQUARIUM
CAMDEN - COOPER STREET / RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
CAMDEN - WALTER RAND TRANSPORTATION CENTER
the SHOPS
36TH STREET
PENNSAUKEN / ROUTE 73 P&R
PALMYRA
RIVERTON
CINNAMINSON
RIVERSIDE
DELANCO
BEVERLY / EDGEWATER PARK
BURLINGTON SOUTH P&R
BURLINGTON TOWNE CENTER
FLORENCE P&R
ROEBLING
BORDENTOWN
In the picture below, we are in the downtown area of Bordentown where the Camden & Amboy RR memorial is (green arrow). The orange arrow points to the wye at the Bordentown station. The view is shifted 90 degrees, with north to the left. More info on the C&A is here.
In the aerial view below, the white arrow points to the station, the yellow arrow points of a SB signal, the blue arrow points to part of the old wye right-of-way, the orange arrow points points to a historical marker, and the green arrow points to an old trestle (which is almost impossible to see during the summer).
TRENTON - CASS STREET
TRENTON - HAMILTON
TRENTON
NEW 08/01/2007
Last Updated:
16 Oct 2013