Penns Grove Secondary
{{Infobox rail line
| box_width =
| name = Penns Grove Secondary
| image = {{maplink|frame=yes|frame-width=300|id=Q16983455|type=line|zoom=9|stroke-width=2|}}
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| yearcommenced =
| connectinglines = Salem Secondary
Vineland Secondary
| type = Freight rail
| system = CSAO
| status = Active
| locale = South Jersey
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| owner = CSAO
| operator = CSX, NS, CSAO
| linelength =
| tracks = 1
| gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg|allk=on}}
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File:PRSL on US map cropped.png, Penns Grove Secondary parallels the Delaware River]]
Penns Grove Secondary is a rail freight line in the Delaware Valley in the southwestern part of New Jersey. Part of Conrail's South Jersey/Philadelphia Shared Assets it runs for approximately {{convert|20|mi}} between its southern terminus at Penns Grove and Woodbury at the north where it joins the Vineland Secondary about {{convert|8.5|mi}} south of Pavonia Yard in Camden. At its southern end the Deepwater Point Running Track continues another {{convert|3.7|mi|0}} through Carneys Point to Deepwater.
Route
Located within Gloucester County and Salem County, the Penns Grove Secondary serves industries and distribution facilities in the corridor along the east bank of the Delaware River and with spur lines to Pureland Industrial Complex and maritime facilities, including the Port of Paulsboro, and the Paulsboro refinery where rail interchange is provided by SMS Rail Lines.
At the north, the line begins in Woodbury at a junction with the Salem Secondary and the Vineland Secondary. It then passes through Thorofare, West Deptford Township, Paulsboro, Gibbstown, Repaupo, Bridgeport, Pedricktown, and Penns Grove. For much of its length it travels parallel to US Route 130 and New Jersey Route 44. It bridges Mantua Creek, Repaupo Creek, White Sluice Race, Starrs Ditch, Raccoon Creek,{{cite web | last = Christian | first = Jodi | title = Bridgeport Railroad Drawbridge | publisher = Bridgehunter | date = June 13, 2011 | url = http://bridgehunter.com/nj/gloucester/bh48944/ | access-date = 2013-07-21}} and Oldmans Creek. Some of the bridges have been automated.{{cite conference | title = Automation of Moveable Bridges CONRAIL | publisher = www.arema.org | url = http://www.arema.org/files/library/2005_Conference_Proceedings/00004.pdf | access-date = 2013-08-24}}
South of Penns Grove, the Deepwater Point Industrial Track continues through Carneys Point to a DuPont industrial complex known as the Chamber Works{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2012/05/employees_at_dupont_chambers_w.html |title=Employees at DuPont Chambers Works mark plant's 95th anniversary |website=nj.com |first1=Bill |last1=Gallo Jr|date=June 2012 }} at Deepwater{{cite web | title = 1914 Deepwater Point | work = Innovation Starts Here | publisher = DuPont | url = http://www2.dupont.com/Phoenix_Heritage/en_US/1914_a_detail.html | access-date = 2013-07-20 | archive-date = 2014-05-30 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140530144900/http://www2.dupont.com/Phoenix_Heritage/en_US/1914_a_detail.html | url-status = dead }} in the vicinity of the vehicular Delaware Memorial Bridge.
History
The Delaware Shore Railroad was incorporated on February 20, 1873 to build a line from Woodbury to Penns Grove. The line was opened in July 1876, but declared bankruptcy in January 1879 and reincorporated as the Delaware River Railroad.{{Cite book | last=Gladulich | first=Richard M. |title=By rail to the boardwalk | year=1986 | publisher=Trans Anglo Books | location=Glendale, Calif. | isbn=0-87046-076-5}} On April 30, 1900, the WJ&S acquired the DRR.{{cite web |title = PRR Chronology |work = PRR Research |publisher = Philadelphia Chapter Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society |url = http://www.prrths.com/Hagley/PRR1871%20Jan%2005.pdf |date = January 2005 |access-date = 2013-07-19 |archive-date = 2009-09-03 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090903225149/http://www.prrths.com/Hagley/PRR1871%20Jan%2005.pdf |url-status = dead }} On May 4, 1896 the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) consolidated all its railroads and several smaller properties in southern New Jersey into the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad (WJ&S). Passenger service on the Penns Grove Branch ended July 8, 1950.{{cite web | title =South Jersey Timeline of Historic Events | publisher = sjrail.com | url = http://www.sjrail.com/PRSL/Timeline/Timeline.html | access-date = 2013-07-22}}
Upgrades
=Port of Paulsboro=
A 2010 New Jersey Department of Transportation report anticipated increased freight activity in South Jersey.{{cite report | title = Southern New Jersey Freight Transportation and Economic Development Assessment Survey | publisher = New Jersey Department of Transportation | date = December 2010 | url = http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/freight/plan/pdf/sjfeda_final.pdf | access-date = 2013-07-17 }} New infrastructure at the Port of Paulsboro includes the construction of a rail crossing, turnouts, and {{convert|11000|ft|m}} of track with a link to the Penns Grove Secondary and a balloon loop for dockside accessibility. It is expected to cost $3.2 million and be completed by 2014. Partial federal funding for this work was obtained in 2011 by South Jersey Port Corporation, Conrail, and Salem County by leveraging $117.65 million of infrastructure funding for the marine terminal and other South Jersey projects.{{cite web|title=PortoCall |publisher=South Jersey Port Corporation |date=Spring 2013 |url=http://www.southjerseyport.com/upload/news/135_DocFile_POCMAG2013-web.pdf |access-date=2013-08-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112181403/http://www.southjerseyport.com/upload/news/135_DocFile_POCMAG2013-web.pdf |archive-date=2013-11-12 }}{{cite press release | title = Federal Tiger III Grant Partnership Agreement Signed Between the South Jersey Port Corporation, Conrail, and Salem County Bring $18.5 Million to Upgrade Southern New Jersey Rail and Port Infrastructure | publisher = South Jersey Port Corporation | date = October 23, 2012 | url = http://www.southjerseyport.com/upload/news/128_DocFile_TIGER%20III%20Press%20Release%2010-23-12%20ver%202.pdf | access-date = 2013-07-31 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131112181031/http://www.southjerseyport.com/upload/news/128_DocFile_TIGER%20III%20Press%20Release%2010-23-12%20ver%202.pdf | archive-date = November 12, 2013 | url-status = dead }}
=Jefferson Street Bridge=
File:Paulsboro aerialIMG 0441 (12816143035).jpg
The Jefferson Street Bridge, or the Paulsboro Draw, is a railroad movable bridge over Mantua Creek {{convert|1.3|mi}} upstream from its mouth.{{Cite web|url=https://bridgehunter.com/nj/gloucester/paulsboro-railroad/|title = CRCX - Paulsboro Draw}}{{Cite book | title = United States Coast Pilot 3 - Delaware Bay | publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | date = August 25, 2013 | edition = 46 | chapter = 6 | page = 200 | chapter-url = http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/nsd/coastpilot_w.php?book=3 | chapter-format = pdf | quote = Mantua Creek, Mile 78S, ... entrance jetties are marked by lights, and the entrance channel is marked by buoys. ... The ConRail bridge 1.3 miles above the mouth has a 32-foot-wide swing span... The wharves below the first bridge on Mantua Creek have depths of 20 to 14 feet alongside.}}{{google maps |url= https://maps.google.com/maps?q=39.834568,-75.236725&hl=en&ll=39.843999,-75.230598&spn=0.051336,0.132093&sll=40.07304,-74.724323&sspn=6.547932,16.907959&t=h&z=14 |title= East Jefferson Street Bridge |accessdate= August 23, 2013}} The {{convert|160|ft|m|adj=on}} "A-Frame", shear pole, swing bridge was originally constructed in 1917 and rebuilt in 1940. Once part of Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines (PRSL),{{cite web | title = Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines Penns Grove Branch Mantua Creek Moveble Bridge Paulsboro, New Jersey | publisher = broadway.pennsyrr.com | url = http://broadway.pennsyrr.com/Rail/Prr/Maps/Itlk/mantua_creek.gif | access-date = 2013-08-23 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130717083312/http://broadway.pennsyrr.com/Rail/Prr/Maps/Itlk/mantua_creek.gif | archive-date = 2013-07-17 | url-status = dead }} it is now part of Conrail's Penns Grove Secondary. Originally manually opened, it was partially automated sometime between 2000 and 2003.{{cite web | title = Paulsboro Railroad Bridge | publisher = Bridgehunter | url = http://bridgehunter.com/nj/gloucester/paulsboro-railroad/ | access-date = 2013-08-23}}
Buckling of the bridge caused a derailment of a coal train in 2009. More than 15 rail cars left the tracks, though none toppled.{{cite news | last = Six | first = Jim | title = Train cars derail in Paulsboro, West Deptford | newspaper = South Jersey Times | date = August 23, 2009 | url = http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2009/08/train_cars_derail_in_paulsboro.html | access-date = 2013-07-08 }} In November 2012, seven cars derailed while crossing the bridge. Of the four cars that fell into the creek, one was punctured, releasing {{convert|23000|USgal|m3 impgal|lk=out}} of highly toxic vinyl chloride,{{cite news | last = Laday | first = Jason | title = Paulsboro train derailment: How it happened; anatomy of the train wreck - Updated | newspaper = South Jersey Times | date = December 1, 2012 | url = http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2012/12/paulsboro_train_derailment_pla.html | access-date = 2013-07-14 }}{{cite report | title = Preliminary Report | work =Accident No.: DCA13MR002 Accident Type: Train Derailment with Hazardous Materials Release Location: Paulsboro, New Jersey | publisher = National Transportation Safety Board | date = November 30, 2012 | url = https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/2012/paulsboro_nj/paulsboro_preliminary_report.pdf | access-date = 2013-07-14 }}{{cite web | title = A Train Derails in Paulsboro, N.J., Releasing 23,000 Gallons of Toxic Vinyl Chloride Gas | publisher = NOAA | date = December 17, 2012 | url = http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/about/media/train-derails-paulsboro-nj-releasing-23000-gallons-toxic-vinyl-chloride-gas.html | access-date = 2013-07-08 }} which required an evacuation in the region and Paulsboro school lock-downs.{{cite news | title = Train derailment causes chemical spill of vinyl chloride in Paulsboro | newspaper = South Jersey Times | date = November 30, 2012 | url = http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2012/11/train_derailment_prompts_evacu.html | access-date = 2013-07-08 }} Removal of derailed cars and environmental cleanup was handled by U.S. Coast Guard.{{cite news | title = Unified Command Advances East Jefferson Street Bridge Cleanup | publisher = Coast Guard News |url= http://coastguardnews.com/unified-command-advances-east-jefferson-street-bridge-cleanup/2012/12/05/ |date= December 5, 2012 |access-date= 2013-08-02 }}
In March 2013, Conrail announced that the bridge would be replaced with an expected September 2014 operational date. Normally, between March 1 and November 30 the bridge is left in the open position for maritime traffic and closed when trains approach. It will remain locked in the closed position until the bridge is replaced.{{cite web | last = Kotzker | first = Dari | title = Damaged in Paulsboro Derailment Will Be Replaced Bridge | work= NJ Today | date = March 4, 2013 | url = http://www.njtvonline.org/njtoday/video/bridge-damaged-in-paulsboro-derailment-will-be-replaced/ | access-date = 2013-07-14}}{{cite web | last = Forand | first = Rebecca | title = Paulsboro train derailment: Conrail to replace bridge that collapsed | newspaper = South Jersey Times | date = March 1, 2013 | url = http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2013/03/conrail_to_replace_bridge_that.html | access-date = 2013-07-08 }} A 2014 court ruling allowed Conrail to demolish the structure.{{Cite web|url=https://eu.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2014/08/11/conrail-gets-judges-ok-raze-paulsboro-rail-bridge/13918987/|title = Conrail gets judge's OK to raze Paulsboro rail bridge}} It was replaced with a vertical-lift bridge,{{Cite web|url=https://www.modjeski.com/projects/vertical-lift/paulsboro-railroad-bridge-replacement/|title = Paulsboro Railroad Bridge Replacement}}{{cite AV media| url-status = live| archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211210/DsycbgUZm5o| archive-date = 2021-12-10| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsycbgUZm5o| title = Paulsboro Railroad Bridge Replacement | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} which opened in March 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2015/03/06/paulsboro-span-opens-train-traffic/24509907/|title=Paulsboro span opens to train traffic after 2012 derailment|first=Jim|last=Walsh|website=Courier-Post}} and is operated remotely.{{cite web | url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/04/21/2015-09038/drawbridge-operation-regulation-mantua-creek-paulsboro-nj | title=Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Mantua Creek, Paulsboro, NJ | date=21 April 2015 }}
Numerous lawsuits had been brought in the matter.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2015/08/part_of_nj_train_derailment_case_dismissed_judge_s.html#incart_river|title=Part of N.J. train derailment case dismissed, judge says|date=20 August 2015|access-date=24 January 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2015/08/part_of_nj_train_derailment_case_dismissed_judge_s.html |last1=Forand |first1=Rebecca
|title=Part of N.J. train derailment case dismissed, judge says| website=nj.com |date=2015-08-19 |access-date=2020-03-17 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/2015/06/nj_town_cant_collect_stigma_damages_from_adverse_p.html|title = N.J. Town can't collect stigma damages from 'adverse publicity' in train crash, chemical spill, judge rules|date = 10 June 2015}}{{cite web| url = https://www.law.com/njlawjournal/2019/06/12/delay-doomed-conrails-suit-for-insurance-coverage-after-train-derailment-399-27718/?slreturn=20200404011312| title = Delay After Paulsboro Derailment Doomed Conrail's Insurance Coverage Suit {{!}} New Jersey Law Journal}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.pacerfarm.org/cgi-bin/sta01.cgi?div=CPG CSAO South Jersey]
- [http://www.sjrail.com/ThePhotoGallery/index.php?level=album&id=2 SJRail photos]
Category:Transportation in Salem County, New Jersey
Category:Transportation in Gloucester County, New Jersey
Category:Rail infrastructure in New Jersey