A Brief Travelogue for New Jersey Transit's Northeast Corridor

This was written on April 9, 1996, and posted to the Usenet newsgroup nyc.transit.


> Could anyone suggest any NJT, LIRR, or M-N lines that are worth riding 
> just for the interesting or scenic sights?
> I'm planning to be in town for a day or two in the near future.
For scenic opportunities, there is little in the Northeast to rival the New Jersey Transit Northeast Corridor line between Penn Station, Manhattan and Elizabeth, New Jersey.

The memorable sights begin even before you board the train at Penn Station. In this historic passenger rail station, you have unparalaelled opportunities to observe and interact with many untamed specimens of New York wildlife, easily recognizable by their distinctive odor, their varied and colorful plumage, and their territorial cry "Spare some change?" If you are lucky, you may get to witness the ritual challenges between the Variegated Panhandler (Obnoxius Malodorus) and the Blue-Suited Booby (Officerus Movalongus).

While in the station, be sure not to miss the scenic Departure Board. The flipping letters and destination signs on this marvel of modern technology have been known to provide hours of entertainment for commuters awiting their track announcements.

Your train journey begins underground, and continues through the Hudson River tunnels, ultimately emerging into the splendor of the New Jersey Meadowlands, one of America's most famous wetland areas.

During the train's passage through the historic New Jersey communities of Kearny, Harrison and Newark, the view from your window encompasses a true slice of American life. From the natural wildlife of the Meadowlands to the historic industrial architecture of the great manufacturing plants and refineries, these sights will fill you with a new appreciation of this nation's heritage.

If you have time to spare on your journey, you may wish to leave the train at Newark and take in some of the local scenery. This is best done in the daytime, as many people have complained that the lack of adequate lighting significantly reduces one's appreciation for the beauty of New Jersey's largest city.

Pennsylvania Station in Newark is not to be confused with the station of the same name in Manhattan. Although Newark's station lacks the imposing grandeur of a Madison Square Garden for a roof ornament, it has much to recommend it as a pre-eminent example of 1930's art deco railroad architecture. The wildlife to be observed in the waiting room is similar in nature to Manhattan's, although often not as colorful. A short trip outside the station to Market Street, the bustling commercial heart of Newark, is highly recommended. The multitude of small and colorful storefronts along the sidewalks provides a vibrant contrast to the stark majesty of Newark's skyscrapers, lovingly preserved in their early-20th-century design. So great is the Newark community's love for these historic buildings that the city has allowed them to remain unspoiled by the chaos of commercial activity for many years. Before you return to the station and resume your rail journey, be sure to note well the faces of the citizens you pass on the sidewalks. Truly the face of Newark could be said to represent the face of the future of American urban centers.

Boarding the train once again for the final leg of your excursion, note the many fine examples of industrial architecture abutting the tracks from Newark to Elizabeth. Many of the streets in this area retain their 19th century brick or cobblestone pavements, reinforcing the atmosphere of a neighborhood unspoiled by modern development. Many of the residences in this area have also remained substantially unchanged since their erection at the height of the Industrial Age. A contrast to this is provided by the ultramodern high-rise structure of the Union County Jail, across the street from the train station in downtown Elizabeth. No expense or effort was spared in constructiing this building, and it should swell the heart of every American with pride to witness this symbol of commitment to the future of our cities and their inhabitants.

The New York metropolitan area offers many sights of interest to the visitor from out of town. I believe that the land and cities of northeastern New Jersey should be high on the list of any tourist's destinations.


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jimcat@panix.com