![](images/title_image.jpg)
Walking the Old Boonton Line
Montclair to Jersey City - 2020 |
I love to walk on railroad tracks especially when they are out-of-service or abandoned. When I moved to Montclair in 2008 The Old Boonton Line became one of my frequent haunts. Whenever I needed a long stroll to clear my mind, I would inevitably find myself on the decommissioned tracks, sometimes walking as far as Belleville before turning around to walk the same amount of miles home.
One day in the Fall of 2020, while walking the tracks between Montclair and Bloomfield, I pondered recent news reports claiming the Old Boonton Line was going to be developed into a bike path. Having walked much of this rail line already I was skeptical that the Essex-Hudson Greenway would ever come to fruition. The sheer cost of fixing the bridges makes the bike path a far-fetched idea, but it occurred to me that if I was going to walk the entirety of the Old Boonton Line I had better do it now, just in case. There were still a few sections of tracks I hadn't explored so I mapped out a plan and systematically completed the journey in six easy trips.
The best way to make progress on the abandoned rails is to lose yourself in a pleasant daydream and let your boots fall lightly on the unevenly spaced wooden ties. My expedition from Montclair to Jersey City was accomplished in a very mellow fashion with frequent enjoyable diversions along the way. The crisp weather was perfect for long walks and the autumn leaves were turning beautifully. Although Covid was stalking the land, it was easy to remain socially distant for the entire trip. The following image selection wasn't intended as a photo essay, but like the journey itself, the pictures took on a life of their own. I hope you enjoy!
-wheeler |
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![](images/1_map.jpg)
The journey begins: Montclair to Bloomfield
![](images/1_001.jpg)
Pine Street in Montclair
Where the live tracks meet the abandoned rails
![](images/1_002.jpg)
Starting point of the Old Boonton Line on the left
NJ Transit live tracks on the right
![](images/1_003.jpg)
Anyone on the tracks is automatically an outlaw
![](images/1_004.jpg)
Coming up to the first overpass
Bay Street on the border of Glen Ridge and Montclair
![](images/1_005.jpg)
Under Bay Street
![](images/1_006.jpg)
![](images/1_007.jpg)
![](images/1_008.jpg)
![](images/1_009.jpg)
Outdoor dining under Bay Street
A box from Urban Chicken
![](images/1_010.jpg)
Trash beneath Bay Street
![](images/1_011.jpg)
A split in the rails
![](images/1_013.jpg)
Under the Highland Avenue Bridge
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![](images/1_014.jpg)
Under Highland Ave
![](images/1_012.jpg)
Coming up on Ridgewood Avenue in Glen Ridge
![](images/1_015.jpg)
Looking back under the Ridgewood Avenue bridge
![](images/1_016.jpg)
Easter Island vibes along the tracks
![](images/1_017.jpg)
Coming up on the Benson Street Station
![](images/1_018.jpg)
11 miles to Jersey City
![](images/1_019.jpg)
Sheds behind the Benson Street Station
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One hundred fifty years of railroad history abandoned and left to rot in place provides the backdrop for Wheeler Antabanez as he walks the Newark Branch of the Erie Railroad.
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![](images/2_map.jpg)
Bloomfield to Belleville
![](images/2_001.jpg)
Old warning light where the tracks intersect Benson Street
![](images/2_002.jpg)
Power panel for warning lights and barrier arm gates
![](images/2_003.jpg)
Approaching the bridge over Broad Street
Bloomfield, New Jersey
![](images/2_004.jpg)
Looking NE on Broad Street in Bloomfield
![](images/2_005.jpg)
Looking back on the bridge over Broad Street
![](images/2_006.jpg)
Looking back on the decaying rail bridge
that spans JFK Drive in Bloomfield
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![](images/2_007.jpg)
There are 4 similar bridges after the Broad Street overpass:
New St, Belleville Ave, Spruce St, and John F Kennedy Drive
The bridge in the photo is the one over JFK Drive
![](images/2_008.jpg)
View of the Garden State Parkway from the Old Boonton Line
![](images/2_009.jpg)
Looking back on the GSP overpass in Bloomfield, New Jersey
![](images/2_010.jpg)
Approaching the Williamson Avenue Bridge in Bloomfield
![](images/2_011.jpg)
Under the Williamson Avenue Bridge
![](images/2_012.jpg)
Ongoing graffiti wars
![](images/2_013.jpg)
Graffiti under the Williamson Avenue Bridge in Bloomfield
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One hundred fifty years of railroad history abandoned and left to rot in place provides the backdrop for Wheeler Antabanez as he walks the Newark Branch of the Erie Railroad.
click to purchase the book
from amazon.com
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![](images/2_014.jpg)
Halloween 2020 is in the air
This walk smelled like creosote and wood smoke
![](images/2_015.jpg)
Graffiti under the Williamson Avenue Bridge
![](images/2_016.jpg)
Graffiti on the footings of the Williamson Avenue Bridge
![](images/2_017.jpg)
Wild turkey where the tracks intersect Orchard Street
Bloomfield, New Jersey
![](images/2_018.jpg)
10 miles to Jersey City
I used this marker as a tripod to get the next two turkey shots
![](images/2_019.jpg)
Urban turkey utilizing the abandoned tracks
This is the turkey's last available habitat in this area
![](images/2_020.jpg)
This turkey can't vote, but I guarantee
she doesn't want her home turned into a bike path
![](images/2_021.jpg)
Defaced Norfolk Southern sign at the Rowe Street Station
Bloomfield, New Jersey
![](images/2_022.jpg)
Looking back on the Old Boonton Line at the Rowe Street Station
![](images/2_023.jpg)
Railroad artifacts at the Rowe Street Station
![](images/2_024.jpg)
![](images/2_025.jpg)
![](images/2_026.jpg)
An old loudspeaker at the Rowe Street Station
Bloomfield, New Jersey
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![](images/2_027.jpg)
Stepping onto the rail bridge that spans Franklin Avenue
Belleville, New Jersey
![](images/2_028.jpg)
Late afternoon sunlight on the bridge over Franklin Avenue in Belleville
Wheeler Antabanez silhouette
![](images/2_029.jpg)
An urban buck has nowhere to run
and no clean water to drink
Belleville, New Jersey
9 Miles to JC
![](images/3_map.jpg)
Belleville to Newark
![](images/3_001.jpg)
Train bridge over Second River and Branch Brook Park Drive
![](images/3_002.jpg)
Crossing Second River and Branch Brook Park Drive
![](images/3_003.jpg)
Looking back on the bridge before entering Newark
![](images/3_004.jpg)
5IVER on the tracks marks the path to a Newark chill spot
![](images/3_005.jpg)
![](images/3_006.jpg)
![](../2018_woo_update/woo_pub_wri_portrait_thumb.jpg) |
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- ADVERTISEMENT -
One hundred fifty years of railroad history abandoned and left to rot in place provides the backdrop for Wheeler Antabanez as he walks the Newark Branch of the Erie Railroad.
click to purchase the book
from amazon.com
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![](images/3_008.jpg)
![](images/3_009.jpg)
![](images/3_010.jpg)
![](images/3_011.jpg)
Back on the Tracks heading deeper into North Newark
![](images/3_012.jpg)
Dead End
Part way through Newark
the tracks have been taken over by local businesses
Here is where I leave the Old Boonton line
to walk along Second River
until I can rejoin the tracks
at the Passaic River crossing
![](images/3_013.jpg)
Tiffany and Company's silver plate jewelry factory
Newark, New Jersey
![](images/3_014.jpg)
The Mount Prospect Avenue Bridge over Second River in Newark
![](images/3_015.jpg)
Bridge Street over Second River
Newark, New Jersey
![](images/3_016.jpg)
I had to climb over this fence to get out of Second River
![](images/3_017.jpg)
Crack vial on the wall of Second River
Newark, NJ
![](images/3_018.jpg)
Pedestrian bridge over Second River
![](images/3_019.jpg)
View of Second River from the pedestrian bridge
![](images/3_020.jpg)
The bridge where Washington Ave in Belleville
becomes Broadway in Newark
![](images/3_021.jpg)
Looking down into Second River from Broadway
Just out of view: a heroin addict nods on the retaining wall
![](images/3_022.jpg)
Looking down into Second River from the sidewalk on Broadway
![_blank](../published_works/pubs_imagine/walking_the_newark_branch_300_cover.jpg) |
- ADVERTISEMENT -
One hundred fifty years of railroad history abandoned and left to rot in place provides the backdrop for Wheeler Antabanez as he walks the Newark Branch of the Erie Railroad.
click to purchase the book
from amazon.com
|
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![](images/3_023.jpg)
I hopped on this abandoned line in Belleville
it used to pass underneath the Old Boonton Line
It was a once a good access point to reach the Cut Bridge
It is now blocked off and has been consumed by a truck yard
![](images/3_024.jpg)
The abandoned Newark Branch over Second River
Standing on the Belleville side looking into Newark
![](images/3_025.jpg)
I couldn't use the Newark Branch
to hook up with the Old Boonton Line
So
I doubled back and wandered
through Newark for a couple blocks
![](images/3_026.jpg)
Seton Leather Brownfield Site
Verona Avenue Newark, New Jersey
![](images/3_027.jpg)
This used to be abandoned
Now it's boarded up and in use
The storage tanks in back have been demolished
The mountains of tires have been cleared
![](images/3_028.jpg)
Jack-o-lantern mask
on the side of McCarter Highway in North Newark
![](images/3_029.jpg)
Abandoned rail bridge carrying the Old Boonton Line over the
McCarter Highway in North Newark
![](images/3_030.jpg)
Back up on the rails
Looking down at the Maas & Waldstein Factory
from the bridge over McCarter Highway
Founded in 1876 this chemical factory
was the site of frequent explosions,
fires, and industrial accidents that killed
many of the people who worked here
![](images/3_031.jpg)
Classic NARK
![](images/3_032.jpg)
A view of the Maas & Waldstein Factory in Newark as it is demolished
![](../published_works/pubs_imagine/13_front_cover.jpg) |
- ADVERTISEMENT -
Want to know what’s under all those bridges you’ve been seeing from your car window? Read 13 FROM THE SWAMP!
Fully illustrated with black and white photography, Wheeler is prepared to show you… not just tell you.
click to purchase from amazon.com
|
![](../published_works/pubs_imagine/13_interior.jpg) |
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![](images/3_033.jpg)
Decaying rail bridge over the McCarter Highway in Newark
One wrong step and you die
![](images/3_034.jpg)
Partially demolished ruins of the Maas & Waldstein Factory
Route 21 along the Passaic River
![](images/3_035.jpg)
The scariest part about walking across the Cut Bridge
is going around the security fence
Many will recognize this bridge
from The Sopranos opening sequence
![](images/4_map.jpg)
Kearny Cut: Passaic River to Kearny Marsh
![](images/4_001.jpg)
Looking through the security fence
from Newark to Kearny
WR Draw AKA the Cut Bridge
![](images/4_002.jpg)
Looking back across the WR Draw Bridge
from Kearny into Newark
Maas & Waldstein stack on the right
![](images/4_003.jpg)
Into the Kearny Cut where the rail bed was excavated from solid rock
![](images/4_004.jpg)
Trains need gentle grades and level ground
The tracks coming out of the meadowlands were cut into the earth
so trains wouldn't have to climb the Kearny slope
![](images/4_005.jpg)
Deep in the cut
An alien egg case dangles from the side of the cliff
![](images/4_006.jpg)
This object was sitting on the rails and I'm still not sure what it is
For a moment I felt like I was in the movie Blue Velvet, but
I'm pretty sure this is not a human ear
![](images/4_007.jpg)
Coyote print in the mud of the Kearny Cut
This section of track is the last available corridor for wildlife
If this line is developed into a bike path
the local animals will lose their only greenway
![_blank](../published_works/pubs_imagine/walking_the_newark_branch_300_cover.jpg) |
- ADVERTISEMENT -
One hundred fifty years of railroad history abandoned and left to rot in place provides the backdrop for Wheeler Antabanez as he walks the Newark Branch of the Erie Railroad.
click to purchase the book
from amazon.com
|
|
![](images/4_008.jpg)
Propping up Kearny so the street doesn't collapse into the cut
This structure supports the dead end of Hillcrest Road
![](images/4_009.jpg)
Approaching the Kearny Avenue Bridge
![](images/4_010.jpg)
Pachysandra Pachysandra Pachysandra
overtaking the abandoned rails
![](images/4_011.jpg)
Kearny Ave spanning the cut
![](images/4_013.jpg)
Under the Kearny Avenue Bridge
![](../2018_old_asylum/cover_for_FMA.jpg) |
- ADVERTISEMENT -
THE OLD ASYLUM
AND OTHER STORIES
Strange tales from the depths of the abandoned mental hospital. Inspired by a lifetime of trespassing in Overbrook Asylum, author Wheeler Antabanez captures and preserves the dark mood and creepy ambiance of the now demolished institution.
buy the book from amazon.com |
![](../2018_old_asylum/book_kindle.jpg) |
|
![](images/4_014.jpg)
Very few humans trespass here
There are no trails and the tracks are soggy
![](images/4_015.jpg)
A menacing layer of green scum thrives in this swampy morass
I did my best to not get any on me
![](images/4_016.jpg)
Beneath the Chestnut Street Bridge
Kearny, New Jersey
Where the tracks emerge from the cut
![](images/4_017.jpg)
There was a crew doing street work here
and a cop directing traffic
When I emerged from the cut
they looked at me like I had three heads
I thought they might give me a problem
but nobody said a word
![](images/4_018.jpg)
What used to be Arlington Station
Kearny, New Jersey
![](images/4_019.jpg)
Someone went bananas on the tracks
![](images/4_020.jpg)
Looking back on the entrance of the cut
Arlington section of Kearny, New Jersey
![](images/4_021.jpg)
Under Schuyler Avenue
![](images/4_022.jpg)
Last pic of the day under Schuyler Avenue
For the next mission I head into the Kearny Marsh
and walk all the way to the Hackensack River
![](images/5_map.jpg)
Kearny Marsh:
Schuyler Ave to the DB Draw bridge on the Hackensack River
![](images/5_001.jpg)
6 miles to Jersey City on the Old Boonton Line
![](images/5_002.jpg)
First view of the marsh
![](images/5_003.jpg)
With so many spray paint penises out there
it's good to see some vagina
![_blank](../published_works/pubs_imagine/walking_the_newark_branch_300_cover.jpg) |
- ADVERTISEMENT -
One hundred fifty years of railroad history abandoned and left to rot in place provides the backdrop for Wheeler Antabanez as he walks the Newark Branch of the Erie Railroad.
click to purchase the book
from amazon.com
|
|
![](images/5_005.jpg)
Zoomed out across the marsh
Buildings of downtown Newark
visible over the Keegan Landfill
![](images/5_006.jpg)
Massive dust cloud blowing off the Keegan Landfill
![](images/5_007.jpg)
Zoomed out on the buildings of Downtown Newark
Lights from the Gunnell Oval in the mid ground
![](images/5_008.jpg)
Graffiti under Route 7 on the Old Boonton Line
![](images/5_009.jpg)
She caught my eye under Route 7 in the Kearny Marsh
![](images/5_0010.jpg)
Adopt 6 is up out here
![](images/5_012.jpg)
Sprayed on the side of a derelict trailer
Covid is no joke
![](images/5_013.jpg)
Route 7 through the Kearny Marsh
Power towers and the Old Boonton Line
![](images/5_014.jpg)
Train signals and the Empire State Building
As seen from Kearny Marsh
![](images/5_015.jpg)
I 95 bridge over the Old Boonton Line
![](images/5_016.jpg)
Under the New Jersey Turnpike Bridge
spanning the Old Boonton Line
![](images/5_017.jpg)
![](images/5_018.jpg)
![](images/5_019.jpg)
![](images/5_020.jpg)
Snake Hill looms over the New Jersey Meadowlands
![](images/5_021.jpg)
Midtown has a new look these days
![](images/5_022.jpg)
Kearny Marsh
I 95
Portal Bridge
World Trade Center
As seen from the Old Boonton Line
![](images/5_023.jpg)
Dirty Jersey
![](images/5_024.jpg)
Snake Hill from the Old Boonton Line
![](images/5_025.jpg)
Harmon Cove Towers as seen from the tracks
![](images/5_026.jpg)
The American Dream mega mall as seen from the tracks
![](../2018_woo_update/woo_pub_wri_portrait_thumb.jpg) |
- ADVERTISEMENT -
Words of Overbrook
For the first time, Words of Overbrook is available in print along with never before seen images of the abandoned Essex County Hospital Center.
Buy the book:
color edition
black and white edition |
![](../2018_woo_update/woo_pub_wri_thumb.jpg) |
|
![](images/5_027.jpg)
Manhattan skyline
Weehawken
Laurel Hill Park
Kearny Marsh
Old Boonton Line
![](images/5_028.jpg)
The garbage incinerator in Newark's Ironbound
I 95 over the Passaic River
As seen from the Kearny Marsh
![](images/5_029.jpg)
Oil boom washed up against the railroad fence
![](images/5_031.jpg)
The bridge tenders shack at the Hackensack River
One time I found a homeless man living here
He begged me for a drink of water
Unfortunately I wasn't carrying any
We were surrounded by water
but there was not a drop to drink
![](images/5_033.jpg)
The DB Draw
AKA the Hack Swing Bridge
decommissioned and kept in the open position
so as not to impede navigation on the Hackensack River
![](images/6_map.jpg)
Final leg of the journey:
Snake Hill to Jersey City
![](images/6_001.jpg)
Looking back on the Old Boonton Line's DB Draw
The bridge is fixed in the open position
so I am starting today's mission
on the East Side of the Hackensack River
![](images/6_002.jpg)
My goal for the day is to climb Snake Hill
and then walk the Old Boonton Line into Jersey City
![](images/6_003.jpg)
The Old Boonton Line under the New Jersey Turnpike
Secaucus, New Jersey
![](images/6_004.jpg)
Looking down the tracks into Jersey City
![](images/6_005.jpg)
At the base of Snake Hill under I 95
![](images/6_006.jpg)
The ridge of Snake Hill with Laurel Hill park
and the new High Tech High School in the distance
![](images/6_007.jpg)
View from the top of Snake Hill:
I 95 over the Hackensack River
DB Draw
Kearny Marsh
Old Boonton Line
![](images/6_008.jpg)
The summit of Snake Hill
![](images/6_666.jpg)
High atop Snake Hill
![](../published_works/pubs_imagine/13_front_cover.jpg) |
- ADVERTISEMENT -
Want to know what’s under all those bridges you’ve been seeing from your car window? Read 13 FROM THE SWAMP!
Fully illustrated with black and white photography, Wheeler is prepared to show you… not just tell you.
click to purchase from amazon.com
|
![](../published_works/pubs_imagine/13_interior.jpg) |
|
![](images/6_009.jpg)
View from the top of Snake Hill:
Downtown Manhattan
Jersey City
Demolished remains of the Hudson Generating Station
![](images/6_010.jpg)
View from the top of Snake Hill:
The bridge deck on the new Wittpenn is finally in position
![](images/6_011.jpg)
View from the top of Snake Hill:
The Empire State Building
Jersey City Heights in the foreground
![](images/6_012.jpg)
View from the top of Snake Hill:
Kearny Point in the foreground
the Pulaski Skyway ramping up across the lower Passaic River
what's left of the old Western Electric Building
and in the background Port Newark with shipping container cranes
![](images/6_013.jpg)
View from the top of Snake Hill:
A NJ Transit train crosses the Portal Bridge from Secaucus into Kearny
This is the bridge that snarls the commute
every time the swing portion gets stuck
![](images/6_014.jpg)
Where I've been:
The Old Boonton Line through Kearny Marsh
![](images/6_015.jpg)
Where I'm going:
The Old Boonton Line into Jersey City
![](images/6_016.jpg)
Where the Salt Marsh meets the Jersey jungles
Border of Secaucus and Jersey City
As seen from the summit of Snake Hill
![](images/6_017.jpg)
Back down on the tracks to complete my journey into Jersey City
Sucky Bat under the rail bridge leading up to the Portal
![](images/6_018.jpg)
The Old Boonton Line under the live tracks
leading
up to the Portal Bridge
Secaucus, New Jersey
![](images/6_019.jpg)
The rails on this side of the Hackensack River
are far less abandoned than the rest of the Old Boonton Line
These tracks are actively used for storage of train equipment
![](images/6_020.jpg)
There used to be a power plant here
This is all that remains of the Hudson Generating Station
![](images/6_021.jpg)
![](images/6_022.jpg)
Demolition continues on the Hudson Generating Station
![](images/6_023.jpg)
Just over the border into Jersey City
the tracks are better maintained than the rest of the line
and are still very much in service
if only for storage
![](images/6_024.jpg)
Live rails over the Old Boonton Line in Jersey City
![](images/6_025.jpg)
A NJ Transit engine
originating from Hoboken Terminal
crosses the Old Boonton Line
after traveling through the Bergen Tunnels
![](images/6_026.jpg)
arriba arriba
andale andale
![](images/6_027.jpg)
Footings for a rail bridge that no longer exists
![](images/6_028.jpg)
With the World Trade Center in view
the Old Boonton Line splits off in two different directions
![](images/6_029.jpg)
Polished rails confirm this track is used fairly often
![](images/6_030.jpg)
First I went left to see how far the tracks continued
![](images/6_031.jpg)
The tracks kept going through this busy truck yard
but for me it was a dead end
![](images/6_032.jpg)
I turned around and walked back to the split
![](images/6_033.jpg)
It was getting late in the day, but I decided to take the right fork
![](images/6_034.jpg)
The Old Boonton Line is already a greenway
Best to leave it alone
Let the animals have one last corridor
![](images/6_035.jpg)
I never found mile marker zero
but around this point in Jersey City
the Old Boonton Line merges with the live tracks
![](images/6_036.jpg)
I would say this is probably the terminus
where the Old Boonton Line
branches off into Jersey City proper
![](images/6_037.jpg)
A zoomed out view of the live tracks heading into Jersey City
![](images/6_038.jpg)
A NJ Transit train goes roaring past on the live tracks
letting me know that my journey is over
and that it's time to turn around
for the long walk back to my truck
at the base of Snake Hill.
# # #
Thank you for coming on this journey with me
send questions and comments to:
WAntabanez at gmail dot com
![_blank](../published_works/pubs_imagine/walking_the_newark_branch_300_cover.jpg) |
- ADVERTISEMENT -
One hundred fifty years of railroad history abandoned and left to rot in place provides the backdrop for Wheeler Antabanez as he walks the Newark Branch of the Erie Railroad.
click to purchase the book
from amazon.com
|
|
![](../lines/cover.jpg)
![](../lines/wheeler.jpg)