RRRR Memories of 1971

(by Lou Luczu)   

     In the fall of 1971, I was on orders for Vietnam. I decided to grab my camera and get some pictures near where my Grand pop worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad at Adams Station. I took some pictures of the Penn Central trains running and decided to get some of the Raritan River Railroad. I knew of the Freight Station in Milltown, so I started there. I talked to the agent inside and asked him how I could get a ride. He told me I had to go to the office in Parlin, but he doubted they would let me ride.

      I headed to the RRRR office on Washington Avenue. The person I talked to inside was real nice and gave me some station listings which I remarkably still have, but said they couldn’t allow a ride. So I headed across the street to take some pictures of the switching operations.

      The guys working there were real nice, too, and one of them let me climb into the cab of #4 while he took my picture. I thanked them and said how I wished I could get a ride as I was leaving the next week for Vietnam. One of them said to meet the train at the back parking lot of Personal Products (now Silverline).

      They let me ride in the cab between Personal Products, Squibb, and into New Brunswick Squibb plant. Even though it wasn’t very far, I’ve got some memories and pictures to last a lifetime. Enjoy the pictures of another fallen railroad.