View source for North Jersey Coast Line

{{short description|Commuter rail line in New Jersey}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2007}}<!--Article also may need rewrites in some sections.-->
{{Infobox rail line
| name = North Jersey Coast Line
| color = {{rcr|NJ Transit|North Jersey Coast}}
| logo = NorthJerseyCoastLine.svg
| logo_width = 50px
| image = New Jersey Transit ALP-46 4626 leads Train 3270 into Middletown Station.jpg
| image_width = 300px
| caption = An [[NJ Transit]] train arrives at [[Middletown station (NJ Transit)|Middletown station]] in [[Middletown Township, New Jersey|Middletown Township]]
| type = [[Commuter rail]]
| system = [[NJ Transit Rail Operations]]
| locale = [[North Jersey|Northern New Jersey]], [[Central Jersey|Central New Jersey]], [[Jersey Shore]]
| start = {{njts|Rahway}}
| end = {{njts|Long Branch}}<br />{{njts|Bay Head}}
| stations = 20
| daily_ridership = 15,300 (Q1, FY 2025)<ref name="njt boardings">{{cite web |title=NJ Transit boarding data by line & station|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NJTransit/comments/1jykihh/nj_transit_boarding_data_by_line_station/#lightbox|publisher=New Jersey Transit |access-date=November 18, 2025}}</ref> 
| ridership2 = 
| open = <!--{{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}}-->
| owner = [[NJ Transit|NJ Transit Corporation]]
| operator = [[NJ Transit Rail Operations]]
| stock = [[ALP-45DP]], [[ALP-46]], [[EMD GP40-based passenger locomotives|GP40PH-2B]] or [[Alstom PL42AC|PL42AC]] locomotives<br />[[Arrow (railcar)|Arrow III]] railcars<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://1drv.ms/u/s!AptgyLLNTnZ9hYYlI-ZPQ1X4UsBQ0g?e=n9Dn8T|title = Arrow III MU in South Amboy.MP4}}</ref><br />[[Comet (railcar)|Comet II IV & V]] or [[Bombardier MultiLevel Coach|MultiLevel]] coaches
| tracklength_mi =81.5
| tracks = 
| gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| electrification = [[Overhead line]];{{indented plainlist|
* [[Amtrak's 25 Hz traction power system|12&nbsp;kV&nbsp;25&nbsp;Hz&nbsp;AC]] (New York–Matawan)
* {{25 kV 60 Hz}} (Matawan–Long Branch)
}}
| speed_mph = 
| map = {{switcher
|{{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|type=line|stroke-color=#00A4E4|id=}}
|Show interactive map
|{{North Jersey Coast Line}}
|Show route diagram map
}}
}}

The '''North Jersey Coast Line''' is a [[Commuter rail in North America|commuter rail]] line traversing through the [[Jersey Shore]] region, running from [[Rahway, New Jersey|Rahway]] to [[Bay Head, New Jersey|Bay Head]]. Operated by [[NJ Transit]], the line is electrified as far south as [[Long Branch, New Jersey|Long Branch]]. On rail system maps it is colored light blue, and its symbol is a [[sailboat]]. The line runs along the former [[New York & Long Branch Railroad]], which was co-owned by the [[Central Railroad of New Jersey]] and the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]].<ref>Wood, Don, ''The Unique New York & Long Branch'', (1985, Audio-Visual Designs)({{ISBN|0917451104}}).</ref>

Most trains operate between [[New York Penn Station]] and [[Long Branch station (NJ Transit)|Long Branch]], with frequent rush-hour service and hourly local off-peak service. Diesel [[shuttle train]]s between Long Branch and [[Bay Head station|Bay Head]] meet these electric trains, although a limited number of through trains operate during weekday rush hours between Bay Head and New York Penn Station, utilizing dual-mode engines. Hourly New York to Long Branch service operates on weekends, with bi-hourly diesel shuttle service (with some extra trains) between Long Branch and Bay Head. Full hourly service operates during the peak summer season. Some electric trains terminate at [[South Amboy station|South Amboy]] and make all stops from New York Penn Station, providing local service for the Northeast Corridor stops of [[Rahway station|Rahway]], [[Linden station (NJ Transit)|Linden]], Elizabeth, and North Elizabeth during rush hours.

==Service==
[[File:Long Branch Yard.jpg|thumb|left|Long Branch Yard, one of the main yards on the New Jersey Coast Line]]
The line is double tracked, except for the bridge over the [[Manasquan River]] at [[Brielle, New Jersey|Brielle]]. The line has [[Cab signalling|cab signals]] and [[Automatic Block Signal|wayside block signals]]; the line from Rahway to Long Branch is signaled for [[Centralized traffic control|operation in either direction on both track]]s ([[Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee]] Rule 261). Twelve [[Interlocking tower|interlocking]]s facilitate flexibility in operation between the two tracks; these and other interlockings control movements to or from freight lines such as the [[Chemical Coast Secondary]], the [[Amboy Secondary]], and the [[Southern Secondary]], as well as Long Branch Yard.

Passenger yards are at Long Branch and Bay Head. Long Branch Yard is fully electrified, and mostly interlocked. Bay Head contains a large balloon (circular looping) track where entire trains can reverse direction without backing up or uncoupling the locomotive, and obviating the need for a [[Turntable (rail)|turntable]]. It remains in service, even though [[Push-pull train|push-pull]] operation has eliminated the need for turning of trains. Bay Head Yard has no interlocking; all switches are hand-operated. A yard and sidings formerly existed at South Amboy, dating to when electrification ended there, but have since been removed; trains terminating at South Amboy cannot be bypassed by using the other track, as the new station has a single island platform.

[[Conrail Shared Assets Operations]] also operates over the North Jersey Coast Line to interchange with the [[Delaware and Raritan River Railroad]] in [[Red Bank, New Jersey|Red Bank]].

===Movable bridges===
[[File:Raritan Bay Bridge.jpg|thumb|Raritan Bay Drawbridge, one of the moveable bridges on the New Jersey Coast Line]]
The North Jersey Coast Line has five [[movable bridge]]s of the [[NJ Transit Rail Operations#Movable bridges|twelve used by the NJT rail network]], the most on any one line.
* [[River Draw]] ([[swing bridge|swing]]) at [[Raritan Bay]]
* [[Morgan Draw]] (bascule) spans cross the Cheesequake or Morgan Creek
* [[Oceanport Draw]] (swing, with non-movable catenary) over the [[Shrewsbury River]] 
* the [[Shark River Draw]] (bascule) on [[Shark River (New Jersey)|Shark River]]
* [[Brielle Draw]] over the [[Manasquan River]]
All these bridges were originally double-track spans, but Brielle Draw has been single-tracked since the mid-1970s. The line also crosses over several other waterways on fixed bridges, the longest of which is over the [[Navesink River]] at Red Bank.

===Electrification===
<!--
[[File:Train at Red Bank NJT.jpg|thumb|Catenary at Red Bank station]]
-->
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2020}}
The North Jersey Coast Line is electrified north of Long Branch.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Modernizing Transit in Monmouth County Unlocking the Potential of the North Jersey Coast's Existing Infrastructure |url=https://www.etany.org/monmouth-bus-and-rail |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=Effective Transit Alliance |quote=However, there is a problem: the electrified portion of the North Jersey Coast Line—which travels through the heart of these communities—ends at Long Branch, right where the line reaches the ocean.}}</ref>

Electrified operation between [[Rahway station|Rahway]] and [[South Amboy station|South Amboy]] began about 1936. Electrification was extended to [[Aberdeen-Matawan station|Matawan]] in 1982 (now called Aberdeen-Matawan), with catenary installed in the early 1980s. This was originally 11&nbsp;kV, increased to 12&nbsp;kV in 1978 along with Amtrak's [[Amtrak's 25 Hz Traction Power System|New York-Washington electrification]], with insulators capable of supporting 25&nbsp;kV. Electrification at 12.5&nbsp;kV 60&nbsp;Hz was extended to Long Branch in 1988, with catenary installed in 1986–88. As on the 1982 extension, the insulators can handle 25&nbsp;kV. The catenary is self-adjusting (constant tensioning) with ambient temperature. In 2002, the voltage from Matawan to Long Branch was changed from 12.5&nbsp;kV to 25&nbsp;kV. As a result, the [[NJ Transit rail operations#Passenger cars|Arrow III]] passenger cars can no longer run between those two points, since those trains can not run on two different voltages on one trip (the transformer voltage taps must be manually changed from alongside the MU).

The line remains electrified at 12&nbsp;kV 25&nbsp;Hz AC north of Matawan. Three [[Overhead lines#Neutral section (phase break)|phase break]]s segregate the different power sources, at the Matawan Phase Gap, Laurel Phase Gap (Hazlet/Holmdel), and east of Bergen Place in Red Bank.

==History==
With the completion of the [[Waterfront Connection]] in 1991, five weekday round trip diesel trains began running from Bay Head to Hoboken Terminal using the Waterfront Connection. On May 18, 2015, NJ Transit expanded service to include three inbound and three outbound weekday trains running from Bay Head directly to and from New York Penn Station.

===Commuter clubs===

The line was home to the second-last remaining private commuter passenger club in the United States. ([[Car 553]] on the [[Metra]] [[Union Pacific North Line]] was the last.) The Jersey Shore Commuters Club was established in 1933 under the auspices of the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jerseyshorecommutersclub.com/history.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307214456/http://www.jerseyshorecommutersclub.com/history.html|title=Jersey Shore Commuters Club Inc.|archive-date=March 7, 2012|work=Jersey Shore Commuters Club}}</ref> It used half of a Comet IIM car - car 5459 (built as Comet IIB 5759 in 1988). In 2004, the Comet II Club Car went through a custom overhaul by [[Alstom]] and was furnished, with the club's funding, to include reclining lounge chairs, spacious seating, at-seat fold down tables, and private conference tables. The club also hosted various onboard activities to preserve its heritage. Club members enjoyed guaranteed and spacious seating as part of their annual membership fee that the club remitted to NJ Transit as part of its lease agreement. Membership was "open" and on a "[[first come first served]] basis" to those willing to pay the membership fee and abide by the club's bylaws. The Club end of the car was furnished similar to Amtrak's [[Amfleet]] and Horizon fleet of cars. The Club Car seats were actually former Amfleet [[Budd Metroliner|Metroliner]] seats that the club had re-conditioned. The Club Car only ran during peak rush hour periods with one weekday round trip per day and was always run with the club end coupled to the locomotive when used. Due to damage sustained to the Club Car in Hurricane Sandy, the commuter club was disbanded in August 2013. Per posts on the club's Facebook page, the Club Car took its last trip on the line in October 2012, just prior to the hurricane.

===Bergen Shore Express===
In the summers of 1986–1988, NJ Transit experimented with service from selected stops of the [[Bergen County Line]], around the southwest curve of the West End Junction in Jersey City, and switching from the Morris & Essex to the Northeast Corridor via a complicated set of switch maneuvers in the Newark area, then continuing express to the Coast Line, with no intermediate stops between [[Harmon Cove station]] and [[Long Branch station (NJ Transit)|Long Branch]]. Tickets were for a specified town and included bus service to the beach and beach admission passes. One round trip was made each Saturday and Sunday during July. Despite high demand (on sunny days), the service was discontinued, ostensibly due to crew and equipment shortages, and the inability to forecast demand.<ref>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/103688802@N02/48398846856/in/dateposted/]</ref>

===Summer Shore Express===
[[File:CNJ Bay Head 1971.jpg|thumb|A [[Central Railroad of New Jersey]] commuter train at [[Bay Head station]] in 1971]]
In June 2014, NJ Transit began running one-seat limited-stop summer shore express trains to and from [[Bay Head station|Bay Head]] and [[New York Penn Station]] on weekends and holidays. This limited time service only ran through the summer and ended on September 1, 2014. This service was brought back for the 2015, 2016, and 2017 summer seasons. Service consisted of four inbound and outbound trips, with two trips during the morning, and two in the evening in both directions.

===Hurricane Sandy===
{{main|Effects of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey}}
As a line paralleling the New Jersey coastline, the North Jersey Coast Line received exceptionally severe damage from [[Hurricane Sandy]] on October 29–30, 2012. Track was washed out in several places from Perth Amboy southward, most notably between [[South Amboy station|South Amboy]] and [[Aberdeen-Matawan station|Aberdeen-Matawan]] stations, where the line runs closest to the Atlantic Ocean. The Raritan Bay and Morgan Creek drawbridges were struck by boats, [[Intermodal container|storage containers]] and other floating debris, knocking the bridges' tracks out of alignment. Trees also fell over parts of the line.<ref name=njtslide>{{cite web|title=Hurricane Sandy Storm Damage (slideshow)|url=http://www.njtransit.com/var/var_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=HurricaneSandyTo|publisher=NJ Transit|access-date=November 11, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=January 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Service remained suspended for three weeks; a resumption of service only as far as Woodbridge (and skipping Avenel) on November 4 was halted after only one day due to severe overcrowding.<ref>{{cite web|title=Update as of November 10: Rail and Light Rail Service|url=http://www.njtransit.com/sa/sa_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=CustomerNoticeTo&NoticeId=2304|publisher=NJ Transit|access-date=November 11, 2012|archive-date=November 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108095157/http://www.njtransit.com/sa/sa_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=CustomerNoticeTo&NoticeId=2304|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Chris Christie|Christie]] [[Governorship of Chris Christie|administration]] announced that most North Jersey Coast Line trains would return to service on Monday, November 19, with slightly longer trip times and omission of trains to [[Hoboken Terminal]].<ref>{{cite web|title=All But One NJ TRANSIT Rail Lines Fully or Partially Restored Starting Monday, November 19|url=http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&PRESS_RELEASE_ID=2816|publisher=NJ Transit|access-date=November 17, 2012|archive-date=November 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121124445/http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&PRESS_RELEASE_ID=2816|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Rolling stock==
[[File:Njtcoolio.jpg|thumb|[[Bombardier ALP-45DP|ALP-45]] 4527 entering Long Branch station]]
Because of the complexity of electrification on the Coast Line, the route has among the most diverse fleet in the NJT system.

Between New York and Long Branch service is typically operated with an [[Bombardier ALP-46|ALP-46]] electric locomotive pulling [[Comet (railcar)|Comet II & IV cars with a Comet V cab car]] or [[Bombardier MultiLevel Coach|MultiLevel]] coaches. Shuttle trains between Long Branch and Bay Head are typically operated with a [[Alstom PL42AC|PL42AC]] or [[EMD GP40-based passenger locomotives|GP40PH-2B]] diesel locomotive pulling 4 to 6 car sets of Comet II & IV cars with a Comet V cab car or MultiLevel coaches.

During weekday rush hours, NJ Transit operates "One Seat Ride" services between New York and Bay Head. These trains use [[Bombardier ALP-45DP|ALP-45DP]] dual-power locomotives that can run on either electric power supplied by overhead lines or from an on-board diesel generator. They are paired with an 8-car set of Comet II & IV cars with a Comet V cab car or MultiLevel coaches.

NJ Transit also operates [[short turn]] runs between New York and South Amboy during weekday rush hours. These services can use [[Arrow (railcar)|Arrow III railcars]]. Because of the voltage change at Matawan, Arrow railcars cannot operate further south, as they are not capable of in motion voltage changes like the ALP-45 and ALP-46 locomotives.

==Stations==
{|class="wikitable"
!State
!Zone<ref name="schedule">{{cite web|url=http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/rail/r0080.pdf|title=North Jersey Coast Line Timetable|date=November 19, 2014|publisher=NJ Transit|access-date=November 27, 2014|location=New York, New York}}</ref>
!Location
!Station<ref name="schedule" />
!{{nowrap|[[Railway milepost|Miles (km)]]}}
!Date opened
!Date closed
!width="55%"|Connections&nbsp;/ notes<ref name="schedule" />
|-
|[[New York (state)|NY]]
|rowspan=5|1
|[[Manhattan]]
|[[New York Penn Station]] {{NJT acc}}
|0.0 (0.0)
|1910
|
|[[Amtrak]] (long distance): ''[[Cardinal (train)|Cardinal]]'', ''[[Crescent (train)|Crescent]]'', ''[[Lake Shore Limited]]'', ''[[Palmetto (train)|Palmetto]]'', ''[[Silver Meteor]]''<br />Amtrak (intercity): ''[[Acela Express]]'', ''[[Adirondack (train)|Adirondack]]'', ''[[Carolinian (train)|Carolinian]]'', ''[[Empire Service]]'', ''[[Ethan Allen Express]]'', ''[[Keystone Service]]'', ''[[Maple Leaf (train)|Maple Leaf]]'', ''[[Northeast Regional]]'', ''[[Pennsylvanian (train)|Pennsylvanian]]'', ''[[Vermonter (train)|Vermonter]]''<br />[[Long Island Rail Road]]: [[Babylon Branch|Babylon]], [[Belmont Park Branch|Belmont Park]], [[City Terminal Zone]], [[Far Rockaway Branch|Far Rockaway]], [[Hempstead Branch|Hempstead]], [[Long Beach Branch|Long Beach]], [[Montauk Branch|Montauk]], [[Oyster Bay Branch|Oyster Bay]], [[Port Jefferson Branch|Port Jefferson]], [[Port Washington Branch|Port Washington]], [[Ronkonkoma Branch|Ronkonkoma]], [[West Hempstead Branch|West Hempstead]] branches<br />[[NJ Transit]]: [[Gladstone Branch|Gladstone]], [[Montclair-Boonton Line|Montclair-Boonton]], [[Morristown Line|Morristown]], [[Raritan Valley Line|Raritan Valley]], [[Northeast Corridor Line|Northeast Corridor]] lines<br />[[New York City Subway]]: {{NYCS Broadway-Seventh south}} (at [[34th Street–Penn Station (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)]]), {{NYCS Eighth south}} (at [[34th Street–Penn Station (IND Eighth Avenue Line)]])<br />[[New York City Bus]]: {{NYC bus link|M7|M20|M34 SBS|M34A|Q32}}<br />[[Academy Bus]]: {{NYC bus link|SIM23|SIM24}}<br />[[Flixbus]]: [[Eastern Shuttle (bus company)|Eastern Shuttle]]<br />[[Vamoose Bus]]
|-
|rowspan=42|[[New Jersey|NJ]]
|[[Secaucus, New Jersey|Secaucus]]
|[[Secaucus Junction]] {{NJT acc}}
|3.5 (5.6)
|2003
|
|NJ Transit: [[Bergen County Line|Bergen County]], Gladstone, [[Main Line (NJ Transit)|Main]], [[BetMGM Meadowlands Rail Line|BetMGM Meadowlands]], Montclair-Boonton, Morristown, [[Pascack Valley Line|Pascack Valley]], Raritan Valley, and Northeast Corridor lines<br />[[Metro-North Railroad]]: [[Port Jervis Line]]<br />[[NJ Transit Bus]]: {{NJ bus link|2|78|129|329|353}}
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]]
|[[Newark Penn Station]] {{NJT acc}}
|10.0 (16.1)
|March&nbsp;24, 1935<ref name="newark penn 1">{{cite news |title=Newark Dedicates New Station Today |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/03/23/archives/newark-dedicates-new-station-today-pennsylvania-terminal-and-huge.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 23, 1935
 |page=13 |access-date=May 30, 2010}}</ref><ref name="newark penn 2">{{cite news |title=Newark Dedicates Its New Terminal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/03/24/archives/newark-dedicates-its-new-terminal-railroad-station-centre-link-in.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 24, 1935 |page=N1 |access-date=May 30, 2010}}</ref>
|
|Amtrak (long-distance): ''Cardinal'', ''Crescent'', ''Palmetto'', ''Silver Meteor'', ''Silver Star''<br />Amtrak (intercity): ''Acela Express'', ''Carolinian'', ''Keystone Service'', ''Northeast Regional'', ''Pennsylvanian'', ''Vermonter''<br />NJ Transit: Northeast Corridor and Raritan Valley lines<br />[[PATH (rail system)|PATH]]: [[Newark – World Trade Center]]<br />[[Newark Light Rail]]: Grove Street – Newark Penn, Broad Street – Newark Penn<br />NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|1|5|11|21|25|28|29|30|31|34|39|40|41|44|62|67|70|71|72|73|76|78|79|108|308|319|361|375|378|go25|go28}}<br />[[Greyhound Lines]]
|- bgcolor=dfdfdf
|[[South Street station (Pennsylvania Railroad)|South Street]]
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[Newark Liberty International Airport Station]] {{NJT acc}}
|12.6 (20.3)
|October 21, 2001<ref name="newark airport">{{cite news |title=New Train Service To Newark Airport |first=Elissa |last=Gootman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/22/nyregion/metro-briefing-new-york-manhattan-new-train-service-to-newark-airport.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=October 22, 2001 |access-date=February 19, 2010}}</ref> 
|
|Amtrak: ''Keystone Service'', ''Northeast Regional''<br />NJ Transit: Northeast Corridor Line<br />[[AirTrain Newark]]
|-
|rowspan=3|5
|rowspan=3|[[Elizabeth, New Jersey|Elizabeth]]
|{{njts|North Elizabeth}} {{NJT acc}}
|14.4 (23.2)
|
|
|NJ Transit: Northeast Corridor Line<br />NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|112}}
|-
|{{njts|Elizabeth}} {{NJT acc}}
|15.4 (24.8)
|December&nbsp;21, 1835<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baer |first1=Christopher T. |title=A General Chronology of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Its Predecessors and Successors and Its Historical Context: 1835 |url=http://www.prrths.com/newprr_files/Hagley/PRR1835.pdf |access-date=August 19, 2020 |publisher=Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society |date=June 2015 |pages=51, 54}}</ref>
|
|NJ Transit: Northeast Corridor Line<br />NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|24|26|48|52|56|57|58|59|62|112}}
|- bgcolor=dfdfdf
|{{njts|South Elizabeth}}
|
|
|
|
|-
|7
|[[Linden, New Jersey|Linden]]
|{{njts|Linden}} {{NJT acc}}
|18.6 (29.9)
|
|
|NJ Transit: Northeast Corridor Line<br />NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|56|57|94}}
|-
|rowspan=3|8
|rowspan=3|[[Rahway, New Jersey|Rahway]]
|- bgcolor=dfdfdf
|{{njts|North Rahway}}
|20.1 (32.3)
|
|January 31, 1993<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.railroad.net/forums/download/file.php?id=18439&mode=view|title=North Jersey Coast Line Timetable Effective January 31, 1993|date=January 31, 1993|publisher=NJ Transit|access-date=January 21, 2019|archive-date=January 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122044331/http://www.railroad.net/forums/download/file.php?id=18439&mode=view|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|Closed due to maintenance issues
|-
|{{njts|Rahway}} {{NJT acc}}
|20.7 (33.3)
|January&nbsp;1, 1836<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baer |first1=Christopher T. |title=A General Chronology of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Its Predecessors and Successors and Its Historical Context: 1836 |url=http://www.prrths.com/newprr_files/Hagley/PRR1836.pdf |publisher=[[Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society]] |access-date=April 4, 2021 |page=1 |quote=Jan. 1, 1836 New Jersey Railroad & Transportation Company begins revenue service to Rahway with 5 round trips with locomotive west of Newark; service east of Newark is still by horse car; schedule is run Jan. 1 & 2 as introduction.}}</ref>
|
|NJ Transit: Northeast Corridor Line<br />NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|48}}<br />Rahway Community Shuttle
|-
|rowspan=2|9
|rowspan=4|[[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge Township]]
|{{njts|Avenel}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/transportation/2019/09/06/nj-transit-increases-train-service-avenel-station-woodbridge/2232038001/|title=NJ Transit increases train service at Avenel station|last=Deak|first=Mike|date=September 6, 2019|website=My Central Jersey|access-date=September 16, 2019}}</ref> {{NJT acc}}
|23.0
|
|
|
|-bgcolor=dfdfdf
|Edgar
|
|
|July 21, 1975<ref name="1975cuts" />
|
|-
|rowspan=2|10
|{{njts|Woodbridge}} {{NJT acc}}
|25.3
|October 11, 1864{{sfn|Poor|1893|pp=897&ndash;898}}
|
|NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|48|116|803}}
|-bgcolor=dfdfdf
|Genasco
|
|
|
|
|-
|12
|[[Perth Amboy, New Jersey|Perth Amboy]]
|{{njts|Perth Amboy}}
|29.6
|June&nbsp;28, 1875{{sfn|Honeyman|1923|p=170}}
|
|NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|48|116|813|815|817}}
|-
|rowspan=2|13
|[[South Amboy, New Jersey|South Amboy]]
|{{njts|South Amboy}} {{NJT acc}}
|33.6
|1938
|
|NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|815|817}}
|- bgcolor=dfdfdf
|[[Old Bridge Township, New Jersey|Old Bridge Township]]
|{{njts|Laurence Harbor}}
|36.9
|
|
|Formerly proposed station in 1985, 2001, and 2008
|-
|15
|[[Matawan, New Jersey|Matawan]]
|{{njts|Aberdeen–Matawan}} {{NJT acc}}
|40.6 
|July&nbsp;1, 1875<ref name="1875opening" />
|
|NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|135}}
|-
|16
|[[Hazlet, New Jersey|Hazlet]]
|{{njts|Hazlet}} {{NJT acc}}
|45.2
|July&nbsp;1, 1875<ref name="1875opening" />
|
|Academy Bus: [[PNC Bank Arts Center|PNC Bank Arts Center Shuttle]]
|-
|17
|[[Middletown Township, New Jersey|Middletown Township]]
|{{njts|Middletown}} {{NJT acc}}
|48.6
|July&nbsp;1, 1875<ref name="1875opening">{{cite news |title=New York and Long Branch Railroad |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43436327/nylb_ceremonial_july_1_1875/ |access-date=February 1, 2020 |work=The Monmouth Inquirer |date=July 1, 1875 |location=[[Freehold Borough, New Jersey|Freehold, New Jersey]] |page=3|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|18
|[[Red Bank, New Jersey|Red Bank]]
|{{njts|Red Bank}} {{NJT acc}}
|55.2
|July&nbsp;1, 1875<ref name="1875opening" />
|
|NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|831|832|834|838}}<br />Academy Bus: Shore Points Line
|-
|rowspan=2|19
|[[Little Silver, New Jersey|Little Silver]]
|{{njts|Little Silver}}
|56.9
|1875
|
|Academy Bus: Shore Points Line
|-
|[[Oceanport, New Jersey|Oceanport]]
|{{njts|Monmouth Park}}<br /><small>(limited service)</small>
|59.1
|1892
|
|
|-
|rowspan=2|20
|[[Long Branch, New Jersey|Long Branch]]
|{{njts|Long Branch}} {{NJT acc}}
|61.3
|July&nbsp;1, 1875<ref name="1875opening" />
|
|NJ Transit Bus: 831, 837<br />Academy Bus: 36<hr />Terminus of [[railway electrification system|electrification]]
|-
|[[Elberon, New Jersey|Elberon]]
|{{njts|Elberon}} {{NJT acc}}
|64.3
|August&nbsp;25, 1875<ref name="Aug1875opening" /><ref name="Aug1875opening-2" />
|
|
|-
|rowspan=6|21
|[[Allenhurst, New Jersey|Allenhurst]]
|{{njts|Allenhurst}}
|67.0
|May 17, 1897<ref name="allenhurst1897-1">{{cite news|title=Items of Local Interest|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20258313/allenhurst_january_22_1897/|access-date=May 21, 2018|work=The Freehold Transcript|date=January 22, 1897|page=4|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref><ref name="allenhurst1897-2">{{cite news|title=Items of Local Interest|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20258344/allenhurst_station_may_14_1897/|access-date=May 21, 2018|work=The Freehold Transcript|date=May 14, 1897|page=8|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>
|
|NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|837}}
|- bgcolor=dfdfdf
|[[Interlaken, New Jersey|Interlaken]]
|[[Allenhurst station|Interlaken]]
|67.8
|
|July 30, 1904<ref>{{cite news |title=Last Sunday of Train Embargo |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20238749/interlaken-closed-august-1-1904/ |access-date=April 12, 2023 |work=[[The Home News Tribune|The New Brunswick Home News]] |date=August 1, 1904 |page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=To Use Station as a Boathouse |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10442765/asbury-park-press/ |access-date=April 12, 2023 |work=[[The Asbury Park Press]] |date=July 24, 1905 |page=8|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>
|
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Asbury Park, New Jersey|Asbury Park]]
|- bgcolor=dfdfdf
|[[Asbury Park station|North Asbury Park]]
|68.7
|
|July 21, 1975<ref name="1975cuts">{{cite news|title=Penn Central Fare Hike, Service Cuts Given OK|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14027965/penn_central_cuts_july_17_1975/|access-date=September 28, 2017|work=The Asbury Park Press|date=July 17, 1975|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>
|
|-
|{{njts|Asbury Park}} {{NJT acc}}
|69.5
|August&nbsp;25, 1875<ref name="Aug1875opening">{{cite news |title=Central Railroad of New Jersey New York and Long Branch Division |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43437669/asbury_park_august_26_1875/ |access-date=February 1, 2020 |work=The Monmouth Inquirer |date=August 26, 1875 |location=Freehold, New Jersey |page=2|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref><ref name="Aug1875opening-2">{{cite news |title=Monmouth County |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43437212/asbury_park_station_september_2_1875/ |access-date=February 1, 2020 |work=The Monmouth Inquirer |date=September 2, 1875 |location=Freehold, New Jersey |page=3|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>
|
|NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|317|830|832|836|837}}<br />Academy Bus: Shore Points Line
|-
|[[Bradley Beach, New Jersey|Bradley Beach]]
|{{njts|Bradley Beach}}
|70.5
|June&nbsp;24, 1893<ref>{{cite news |title=Bradley Beach Day |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52389656/1893-june-24bb-train-station-dedicated/ |access-date=April 4, 2021 |work=The Shore Press |date=June 30, 1893 |location=Asbury Park, New Jersey |page=3|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>
|
|NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|317|830}}<br />Academy Bus: Shore Points Line
|-
|rowspan=5|22
|- bgcolor=dfdfdf
|[[Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey|Avon-by-the-Sea]]
|[[Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey|Avon]]
|71.1
|
|July 21, 1975<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14027965/penn-central-cuts-july-17-1975/|title=Penn Central cuts, July 17, 1975|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|date=July 17, 1975|page=1}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[Belmar, New Jersey|Belmar]]
|{{njts|Belmar}}
|71.7
|September&nbsp;14, 1875<ref name="1875openingBelmar">{{cite news |title=State and County Items |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75195151/ocean-beach-september-18-1975/ |access-date=April 5, 2021 |work=The Matawan Journal |date=September 18, 1875 |page=2|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|
|NJ Transit Bus: 317, 830<br />Academy Bus: Shore Points Line
|- bgcolor=dfdfdf
|[[Lake Como, New Jersey|Lake Como]]
|Como
|
|
|June 1934<ref name="comofight">{{cite news|title=Spring Lake Wins Depot Name Fight|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14825134/como_station_name_may_8_1934/|access-date=November 1, 2017|work=The Asbury Park Press|date=May 8, 1934|page=2|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>
|Demolished by New York & Long Branch Railroad in November 1934.<ref name="como2">{{cite news|title=Now|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14825236/como_ad_november_30_1934/|access-date=November 1, 2017|work=The Asbury Park Press|date=November 30, 1934|page=25|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>
|-
|[[Spring Lake, New Jersey|Spring Lake]]
|{{njts|Spring Lake}}
|74.2
|October&nbsp;11, 1875{{sfn|Wainwright|1922|p=523}}<ref name="1875openingSLSGMA">{{cite news |title=Editorial Items |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75159362/ocean-beach-october-23-1875/ |access-date=April 7, 2021 |work=The Ocean Grove Record |date=October 23, 1875 |page=5|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>
|
|NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|317|830}}<br />Academy Bus: Shore Points Line
|-
|rowspan=6|23
|- bgcolor=dfdfdf
|[[Sea Girt, New Jersey|Sea Girt]]
|[[Sea Girt, New Jersey|Sea Girt]]
|76.0
|October&nbsp;11, 1875{{sfn|Wainwright|1922|p=523}}<ref name="1875openingSLSGMA" />
|July 21, 1975<ref name="1975cuts" />
|
|-
|[[Manasquan, New Jersey|Manasquan]]
|{{njts|Manasquan}}
|77.3
|
|
|NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|317|830}}<br />Academy Bus: Shore Points Line
|-
|[[Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey|Point Pleasant Beach]]
|{{njts|Point Pleasant Beach}} {{NJT acc}}
|80.0
|July&nbsp;29, 1880<ref name="1880opening">{{cite news |title=Monmouth County Notes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41108571/point_pleasantsea_girt_august_5_1880/ |access-date=December 26, 2019 |work=The Red Bank Register |date=August 5, 1880 |page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>
|
|NJ Transit Bus: {{NJ bus link|317|830}}<br />Academy Bus: Shore Points Line
|-
|[[Bay Head, New Jersey|Bay Head]]
|{{njts|Bay Head}}
|81.5
|August&nbsp;1, 1882{{sfn|United States Congress|1884|p=487}}
|
|
|}

==See also==
*[[New York and Long Branch Railroad]]
*[[Perth Amboy and Woodbridge Railroad]]
*[[Union Tower]]
*[[Essay Tower]]

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last1=Honeyman |first1=Abraham Van Doren |title=History of Union County, New Jersey 1664-1923 · Volume 1 |date=1923 |publisher=Lewis Historical Publishing Company |location=New York, New York |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wdkMAAAAYAAJ |access-date=April 4, 2021}}
*{{cite book |last1=Poor |first1=Henry Varnum |title=Poor's Manual of Railroads, Volume 26 |date=1893 |publisher=American Bank Note Company |location=New York, New York |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qr8vAQAAMAAJ&pg=PP1 |access-date=February 2, 2020}}
*{{cite book |title=The Executive Documents of the House of Representatives for the First Session of the Forty-Eighth Congress, 1883-'84 |date=1884 |publisher=Government Printing Office |location=[[Washington D.C.]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y3EpAAAAYAAJ |access-date=April 21, 2021|author=[[United States Congress]]}}
*{{cite book |last1=Wainwright |first1=Halsted H. |title=History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920 Volume 2 |date=1922 |publisher=The Lewis Historical Publishing Company |location=New York, New York |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FmRM8WwGbFwC |access-date=April 7, 2021}}

==References==
{{GeoGroup}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|North Jersey Coast Line (New Jersey Transit)}}
* [http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/rail/R0080.pdf North Jersey Coast Timetable]

{{New Jersey Transit Rail}}
{{Northeast Corridor navbox}}

[[Category:North Jersey Coast Line| ]]
[[Category:NJ Transit Rail Operations]]
[[Category:Transportation in Union County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Transportation in Middlesex County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Transportation in Monmouth County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Transportation in Ocean County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Central Railroad of New Jersey lines]]