LIBERTY: The Jersey Central Lines Today

   E&W Junction is the location where the Easton & Western Branch diverged and the site of E&W Junction Yard. This is an interesting location. The E&W Branch was accessed by a switchback from E&W Junction Yard. Just under five miles long, the E&W was built in 1914 and physically connected with the Lehigh Valley's Easton & Northern Branch near Butler Street in Wilson. The primary industries serviced were Taylor Wharton and Messinger Supply. There was also a team track near the end of the line. In an attempt to avoid certain New Jersey state taxes that taxed the revenues of the CNJ operations in Pennsylvania, the CNJ transferred its Pennsylvania operations to an operating subsidiary, the Easton & Western Railroad which was organized on February 20, 1914. This small organization then became The Central Railroad of Pennsylvania (CRP). The tax dodge failed and both lines were transferred back to CNJ, although the CRP continued to exist as a corporate entity.

Map showing the CNJ main, the yard at E&W Junction, and the E&W Branch on the north bank of the Lehigh River. The Lehigh Valley Railroad (now Norfolk Southern) is on the south bank of the Lehigh River.

 

E&W Junction as it looks today.

                        

                                                   E&W Branch

Looking up the E&W Branch as it climbs a steep grade just after branching off the switchback.

 

The line twists and turns up a steep grade and along a rock outcropping.

 

 E&W Branch bridge over Freemansburg Avenue.

 It is interesting to note that the CRP continued to outright own this line, however it was leased to and operated by the CNJ- "The Central Railroad Company of Pennsylvania will be continued as a separate corporation owning the branch line connecting with the main tracks of the Pennsylvania Division at E&W Junction, 4.38 miles west of Easton, and that this branch line will be leased to and operated by the CNJ as part of its Pennsylvania Division."

 

 

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Back along the main, here is the concrete base and battery box for westbound signal 771. Immediately after the signal, there was a set of crossovers and diverging yard tracks of the E&W Junction Yard.

 

Once a busy location, the yard is only a field today.

 

Concrete base of eastbound signal 772.

 

A look inside reveals only cut wires. Notice the black electrical tape suggesting a "quick fix" in typical CNJ fashion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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