In order to reach Verona, NJ the Erie Railroad had to run north from Jersey City and use the Greenwood Lake Branch through Montclair (along the Watchung Ridge) and then to Great Notch. At Great Notch, trains crossed the top of the Watchung Ridge and then turned 180 degrees south and ran on the Caldwell Branch to Verona. In the 1870's, the Erie decided to tunnel underneath the Watchungs at Montclair in order to reach Verona directly. Grading and construction were begun, but never completed, including the east approach to the tunnel, which would have been approximately 4500 feet in length. This view shows the tunnel approach in Montclair and is facing east. The sections of pipe are lying in what would have been the right-of-way and the photographer is standing on what would have been the tunnel portal. For those who have an interest in locating this piece of history, it is located in a gully bounded by Upper Mountain Ave to the west, North Mountain Ave to the east, Claremont Ave to the south, and Van Vleck St. to the north. Curiously, the Erie retained title to the property along the planned right-of-way until the 1940's. The shot was taken on Saturday, June 5, 2010.

Photographed by Rich Kugel, June 5, 2010.
Added to the photo archive by Rich Kugel, August 26, 2010.
Railroad: Erie RR.

Rich Kugel's awards:

» Contact the person who posted this photograph.