Abandoned Rails of

Toms River, New Jersey

The Barnegat branch served the Toms River area, along with several other towns, including Forked River, Pinewald and Waretown. Train frequency on the line diminished greatly in the 1970s, but the tracks remained intact for infrequent service to the Oyster Creek nuclear facility. By the late 1970s, Conrail had abandoned the southern portion of it up to Pinewald.

It is reported that while the tracks have been dormant since 1981, a train did pass through Toms River in 1988 using the tracks, making that the train the first since 1981, and last train to run in 20 years. It is believed to have been carrying sand.

These pictures come from the northern section in Toms River, and show the spur that once served the Ciba Geigy chemical plant, which was shut down due to ground water contamination.

This is the Toms River Industral track, currently out of service...
This is the Toms River Industral track, currently out of service; they have not seen a train in the past 4 years. The track ends about 4.6 miles away at the Ciba Giegy Chemical Plant siding. Photo by Eric Kreszl.
This railroad track is the CNJ Southern Division which continues...
This railroad track is the CNJ Southern Division which continues down to Bridgeton. There has not been a train on this track for decades. Photo by Eric Kreszl.
This is Norfolk Southern GP40-2 #3026. This is one of the very l...
This is Norfolk Southern GP40-2 #3026. This is one of the very last Norfolk Southern locomotives still wearing Conrail paint. The track in the background to the left is Toms River Industrial Track. The structure in the background was used to load covered hoppers for shipment to Florida, and hasn't seen service in a few years. Photo by Eric Kreszl.
#3026 is sitting on what is called the Ocean County siding. It c...
#3026 is sitting on what is called the Ocean County siding. It comes off just before the crossing in the background. Photo by Eric Kreszl.
Toms River Industrial Track crosses Route 37, in what is un-offi...
Toms River Industrial Track crosses Route 37, in what is un-officially known as the largest railroad crossing in New Jersey. Photo by Eric Kreszl.
This shows the tracks as continue on to the Ciby Geigy chemical ...
This shows the tracks as continue on to the Ciby Geigy chemical plant from Route 37. The grade crossing was classified as abandoned just recently. Photo by Eric Kreszl.
This picture shows the tracks approaching the Ciba Geigy chemica...
This picture shows the tracks approaching the Ciba Geigy chemical plant. Photo by Eric Kreszl.
This picture shows the tracks approaching the Ciba Geigy chemica...
This picture shows the tracks approaching the Ciba Geigy chemical plant. Photo by Eric Kreszl.
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