Morristown and Erie Railway: Serving NJ Since 1902
Last revised: August 23, 2024
By: Adam Burns
The Morristown and Erie Railway (reporting marks, ME) is a short line operation serving northern New Jersey as well as portions of Maine (through operating the Maine
Eastern Railroad).
The little railroad is well over 100 years of age and has been in existence since 1902 serving customers along virtually the same tracks as it did when it first started operations in the early 1900s.
Despite its fascinating history there has never been much written about its operations (Trains Magazine has, though, covered it thoroughly in at least two different issues since 1951), which at its peak only included 10.5 miles between Essex Falls and Morristown.
Today, along with serving customers over its 158-mile system the railroad also offers other services such as chartered private rail cars, other private events, and even car storage if you are a private car owner.
The Morristown and Erie Railway has its beginnings dating back to August 28, 1903 when it was formed by the merger of the Whippany River Railroad and the Whippany and Passaic River Railroad.
Given the nature of its operations and the region in which it is located, the M&E's future appears quite bright and may even include commuter operations via NJ Transit at some future point.
Photos
Morristown & Erie RS1 #15 rolls through Hanover, New Jersey with a short freight during the summer of 1978.History
Its system roughly stretched from Morristown to Whippany and then on to Essex Falls where a connection with the Erie Railroad allowed for service to be extended as far as Jersey City.
The Morristown and Erie Railway was a quite profitable and well-managed company through World War II and its passenger service became legendary for the many flag stops it made because of the long distances between stations.
Because of the railroad's small size, while healthy, passenger service was not significant on the M&E system.
Because of this, when other forms of transportation, like automobiles, began making inroads into the passenger business the M&E discontinued service rather quickly.
In his article, "A Matter Of Paper Profits," author John T. Cunningham notes that passenger service ceased in 1928 at which time it was losing $35/day on such trains.
Ironically, just eight years earlier the company was boasting annual traffic of 128,000 riders thanks to the region's dense population.
While the railroad continued to be well-managed following WWII traffic began to deteriorate more and more as mills and industries closed up shop (notably the paper mill in Whippany which for many years was its most important customer).
The historic company grossed its highest revenues at this time, earning $289,785 in 1947 (with profits of $50,300) and $291,925 in 1948 (with profits of $32,321).
This allowed the railroad to even pay out $10 dividends at the time. Unfortunately for the M&E this slide continued all of the way through the 1970s, perhaps the lowest time at any point in the rail industry's history.
While Andrew L. Cobb III, who became president in 1961, tried to diversify business to increase earnings (by purchasing companies, non-rail related) the loss of traffic on the railroad could not be stopped.
By the end of the 1970s the railroad was down to precarious few carloads a week and in 1978 it filed for bankruptcy with service continuing as needed.
Unlike many Northeastern railroads, however, that would go on to fall under the Conrail umbrella or disappear altogether as the Morristown and Erie Railway was granted a second life.
Timetable (1939)
In 1982 a group of folks purchased the bankrupt line naming the new company the Morristown and Erie Railway, Inc. The four individuals (Benjamin J. Friedland, Wesley Weis, Ed Wilczynski and David Mandelbaum) worked to bring business back to the railroad and their efforts have paid off as traffic has rebounded astronomically.
Two crewmen watch the weed-choked tracks as Morristown & Erie C424 #19 works it way towards a cut of cars at Cranford Junction, New Jersey on November 11, 2007. Randy Kotuby photo.Today, the M&E serves the largest privately owned refinery in the country, the Bayway Refinery which sees 8,000 cars switched in and out of the plant on a yearly basis.
Other customers for the railroad include:
- Standard Roofings
- Suburban Propane
- Royal Lubricants
- Givaudan
- Public Service Electric and Gas Company
- ACE Lumber
- B&G Foods.
Lastly, the M&E also offers passenger service once more as one can ride in luxury in the railroad's fleet of passenger equipment.
System Map
For the last several years the Morristown and Erie Railway has become a railfan hotspot due to the many Alcos the railroad continues to roster including big C424s as well as several RS11s.
NJ Transit Operations
It’s unclear, though, how long these legendary locomotives will continue to run on the railroad’s roster due to their age (since many are at least 50 years old now) but it’s good bet that they will soldier on for at least a number of years yet.
Steam Roster
| Number/Name | Arrangement | Builder | Date Built | Disposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/"Whippany" | 4-4-0 | Altoona | 12/1874 (Ex-PRR) | Acquired 6/19/1895, scrapped 1908. |
| 1 | 2-8-0 | Rogers | 2/26/1908 | Sold to TP&W on 12/6/1917. |
| 2 | 2-4-4T | Rhode Island | 10/1894 (Ex-Chicago South Side Elevated) | Acquired 1/6/1908, sold to Hanover Brick Company on 1/1/1922. |
| 3 | 2-6-0 | Dickson | 1870 (Ex-DL&W #364/#121) | Acquired 3/11/1908, scrapped 11/1/1927. |
| 4 | 0-4-6T | Rhode Island | 1885 (Ex-New Haven #2114) | Acquired 5/5/1911, sold to General Equipment Corp. on 12/2/1915. |
| 5 | 0-6-0 | Altoona | c. 1880's (Ex-PRR) | Acquired 11/17/1913, scrapped in 12/1913 (mineral deposits in boiler). |
| 6 | 2-8-0 | Pittsburgh | 5/1898 (Ex-P&LE #9314) | Acquired 12/2/1915, scrapped 10/1948. |
| 7 | 2-4-0 | Alco (Schenectady) | 4/1905 (Ex-Lake Champlain & Moriah #14) | Acquired 1/1/1917, scrapped 4/9/1952. |
| 8 | 2-8-0 | Baldwin | 1902 (Ex-Hocking Valley Railway #244 [C&O]) | Acquired 5/28/1920, scrapped 1936. |
| 9 | 2-8-0 | Alco (Brooks) | 10/1904 (Ex-Rochester & Pittsburgh #328) | Acquired 10/20/1927, scrapped 1/1947. |
| 10 | 2-8-0 | Alco (Pittsburgh) | 11/1909 (Ex-Monongahela #116) | Acquired 8/22/1944, scrapped 10/12/1955. |
| 11 | 2-8-0 | Alco (Pittsburgh) | 7/1912 (Ex-Monongahela #131) | Acquired 8/22/1944, scrapped 10/12/1955. |
| 12 | 2-8-0 | Alco (Pittsburgh) | 7/1912 (Ex-Monongahela #130) | Acquired 7/13/1946, scrapped 10/12/1955. |
Diesel Roster
| Builder | Model Type | Road Number | Date Built | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alco | C424 | 18, 19 | 1964, 1966 (Ex-TP&W, Ex-RF&P) | 2 |
| Alco | RS1 | 21 | 1954 (Ex-Soo) | 1 |
| Alco | RS11 | 7205, 7210, 7212, 7215 | 1956, 1958 (Ex-Erie Mining, Ex-NP) | 4 |
| EMD | SW1500 | 20 | 1966 (Ex-RF&P) | 1 |
| EMD/M-K | TE50-4S | 22 | 1954/79 (Ex-UP GP9 #278) | 1 |
| EMD | FL9 | 484-487 | 1957 (Ex-NYNH&H) | 4 |
| EMD | SSB1200 | 557, 563 | 1953 (Ex-AT&SF) | 2 |
| EMD | GP9 | 764 | 1954 (Ex-UP) | 1 |
| MLW | M420W | 3562 | 1976 (Ex-CN) | 1 |
| MLW | C424 | 4216, 4223, 4228, 4231, 4240 | 1965-1966 (Ex-CP) | 5 |
In this view of Morristown & Erie #19, the Alco is about to cross St. George Avenue in Linden with its short train of covered hoppers. Randy Kotuby photo.Having said that, if you are after some pictures of these Alcos I sure wouldn’t wait too long in getting them, you just never know!
For more information about the Morristown and Erie Railway please click here to visit their official website.
Recent Articles
-
Texas and Pacific Railway: Map, History, Timetables
Nov 10, 26 10:33 PM
The Texas & Pacific Railway, the federally chartered southern transcontinental that stopped at Sierra Blanca and became the Missouri Pacific's Texas and Louisiana main line. Merged October 15, 1976. -
Texas and Pacific Steam Locomotives: Texas Types and Mountains
Nov 10, 26 10:30 PM
Texas & Pacific steam: 70 Lima 2-10-4 Texas types, 600-669, classes I-1 through I-1d, and 10 Mountains, 900-909. No. 610 is at Palestine. -
Texas and Pacific Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Nov 10, 26 10:29 PM
All-time diesel roster of locomotives built for the Texas & Pacific. 246 units: E7s, E8s, 83 F7A and 35 F7B, NW2s, SW7s, SW8s, SW9s, GP7s, GP9s, GP18s, and GP35s. Serials and order numbers. -
Santa Fe-Southern Pacific Railroad: Merger, History, Paint Scheme
Nov 10, 26 10:07 PM
The proposed Santa Fe-Southern Pacific merger, from the 1980 attempt and the 1983 holding company through the ICC denial, the Kodachrome paint, and the sale of the Southern Pacific. -
CSX Santa Train Will Feature Locomotives 250 and 2026
Nov 10, 26 01:51 PM
The CSX Santa Train will feature locomotives 250 and 2026 on November 21, 2026. The 84th running covers 110 miles from Shelbiana, Kentucky, to Kingsport, Tennessee. -
Denton County Asks to Extend Stadler Car Relief
Nov 10, 26 01:05 PM
Denton County Transit Authority has asked the FRA to extend a waiver for its Stadler diesel multiple-unit cars. Comments run to January 11, 2027. -
FreightCar America Reports Third-Quarter Results
Nov 10, 26 01:02 PM
FreightCar America reported third-quarter revenue of $76.5 million and 662 railcar deliveries. Backlog stood at 2,660 cars valued at $284.5 million. -
Amtrak Has Filed a Train Control Amendment
Nov 10, 26 12:53 PM
Amtrak asked the FRA on October 26, 2026, to amend the safety plan for its Interoperable Electronic Train Management System. Comments are due November 30, 2026. -
SunRail Signal Waiver Is Open for Comment
Nov 10, 26 12:25 PM
FRA has asked for comment on a petition to extend signal-testing relief on the Central Florida Rail Corridor. The notice names both the corridor and CSXT. Comments run to January 11, 2027. -
Cars and Units Rose With BNSF Third-Quarter Earnings
Nov 10, 26 12:18 PM
Berkshire Hathaway reports that after-tax BNSF earnings increased 19.3 percent in the third quarter of 2026, with car and unit volumes up 3.9 percent. -
Amtrak Chicago Platforms Are Moving Toward Level Boarding
Nov 10, 26 12:13 PM
Amtrak says construction is underway soon on the first level boarding platforms at Chicago Union Station, a 112 million dollar, 30-month project. -
Maryland Has New Penn Line Times on November 16
Nov 10, 26 12:07 PM
MARC Penn Line schedules change on November 16, 2026, after Amtrak trains return to regular schedules. Weekend southbound trains are unchanged. -
Building Contract for Metrolink Sidings Goes to Granite
Nov 10, 26 12:00 PM
Granite says Metrolink awarded a 51.5 million dollar SCORE contract for sidings near downtown Los Angeles and in Rancho Cucamonga. -
EMD "F2" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, History
Nov 10, 26 12:22 AM
EMD F2, the 1,350-horsepower bridge between the FT and the F3. 104 locomotives, July through November 1946. Spotting features, specifications, and the production roster. -
Southern Pacific Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Nov 10, 26 12:08 AM
Southern Pacific diesel roster with builder serials, order numbers, Texas and New Orleans numbers, and the 1965 renumbering. Alco, Baldwin, Fairbanks-Morse, Electro-Motive, General Electric, Krauss-Ma… -
Southern Pacific Steam Roster: Post 1900
Nov 09, 26 11:56 PM
Southern Pacific steam locomotives built since 1900. Pacific Lines, Texas and Louisiana Lines, cab-forwards, the GS 4-8-4s, and five narrow-gauge Ten-Wheelers. The quantity column counts the rows as p… -
Canal Street Yard Assessment Stays Open Through December 7
Nov 09, 26 01:07 PM
The FRA signed the Canal Street Yard environmental assessment on November 6, 2026. Public inspection runs through December 7, and meeting dates are not confirmed. -
NS Legacy Cab-Signal Comments Are Due November 9
Nov 09, 26 01:05 PM
The FRA must receive comments by November 9, 2026, on a Norfolk Southern plan to drop legacy cab signals on 14 line segments and rely on positive train control. -
Elimination Grant of $27.8 Million Reaches Scott Road in Allen County
Nov 09, 26 12:53 PM
Allen County received $27,878,116, also stated as $27.8 million, to design and build a grade separation where Scott Road crosses Norfolk Southern. -
Vermont Receives $60.3 Million for the Western Corridor
Nov 09, 26 12:45 PM
Vermont will receive $60.3 million to rehabilitate about 60 miles of the Western Corridor. The delegation quote also calls the sum $60 million. -
Burlingame Grade Separation Wins a Federal Grant
Nov 09, 26 10:42 AM
Rep. Kevin Mullin said on November 5, 2026 that the FRA awarded $90.4 million for the Caltrain Broadway grade separation in Burlingame. Early work is expected in May 2027. -
Orange County Rail Line Gets a Coastal Permit
Nov 09, 26 10:18 AM
The California Coastal Commission on November 5, 2026 approved a 10-year permit for the San Clemente rail line, including about 690,000 cubic yards of sand. -
Railroad Quiet Zones Are Reinstated in St. Louis
Nov 09, 26 10:14 AM
St. Louis said on November 6, 2026 that the FRA reinstated the city quiet zones. Horns are to stop after railroad systems are updated. -
Southern Pacific Railroad: Map, History, Logo
Nov 08, 26 01:58 PM
The Southern Pacific, from the December 2, 1865 charter and the Big Four to Sprint, the Rio Grande Industries purchase of 1988, and the Union Pacific merger of February 1, 1997. -
California Awards Flexible Rail Aid to Nine Projects
Nov 08, 26 01:15 PM
CalSTA on November 5, 2026 awarded $66.58 million in flexible State Rail Assistance to nine California projects. Each amount in the summary is a cap, printed as up to. -
CSX Leaves Three Days Out of the Weekly Reports
Nov 08, 26 12:02 PM
CSX told the Surface Transportation Board it cannot recover October 27-29 data for the EP 724 and EP 787 reports covering the week ending October 30, 2026. -
NJ Transit Advances Three Station Housing Projects
Nov 08, 26 11:56 AM
NJ Transit on November 5, 2026 advanced station projects in Jersey City, Bound Brook, and Morristown. The three are projected to add more than 1,000 homes. -
River Fox Train Wraps a Locomotive for America 250
Nov 08, 26 11:06 AM
The River Fox Train in West Sacramento wrapped a locomotive with America 250 markings, the American flag, and the Sacramento skyline. The wrap is expected to stay through 2027. -
California Keeps Metrolink Service in the 2027 Budget
Nov 07, 26 11:35 PM
Metrolink says a California State Transportation Agency grant lets the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget keep service at current levels. The board hearing is November 13, 2026. -
WM's 4-6-6-4 Locomotives (M-2): Specs, Roster, History
Nov 07, 26 04:37 PM
Western Maryland class M-2, twelve Baldwin 4-6-6-4s numbered 1201-1212, built in 1940 and 1941 for Hagerstown-Connellsville fast freight. Roster, specifications, and retirement in 1952-1953. -
Missouri Pacific Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Nov 07, 26 04:26 PM
Missouri Pacific diesel roster with builder serials, order numbers, subsidiary lettering, and renumberings. Alco, Baldwin, Electro-Motive, and General Electric. Texas and Pacific locomotives are on th… -
Missouri Pacific Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Nov 07, 26 04:21 PM
Missouri Pacific steam locomotives built since 1900. Drury quantity column 1,439. Sedalia rebuilds counted once, 1,407 frames. Last steam was 0-6-0 9301 in November 1955. -
Missouri Pacific Railroad: Map, Locomotives, Logo, History
Nov 07, 26 04:19 PM
The Missouri Pacific was a large Midwestern that carried a long history of financial difficulty until later years. -
LIRR Service Changes Start on November 9
Nov 07, 26 03:15 PM
New Long Island Rail Road schedules start on every branch on Monday, November 9, 2026. Midday and weekend times change. Rush hour does not. Babylon service returns in stages. -
Draft EA Reviews Norfolk Southern Track in London, Ohio
Nov 07, 26 11:35 AM
The Surface Transportation Board environmental office issued a draft assessment on November 6, 2026, for about 0.96 miles of Norfolk Southern track in London, Ohio. Comments are due November 20. -
Metrolink Lines Will Not Run on Three Routes November 7
Nov 07, 26 10:53 AM
Metrolink will not run the Ventura County, Orange County, or Inland Empire-Orange County lines on November 7 and 8, 2026. The advisory says no substitute transportation will be provided. -
Hartford Line Adds a Weekday Round Trip on November 16
Nov 07, 26 10:48 AM
Connecticut said the Hartford Line adds a weekday New Haven-Hartford round trip on November 16, starts a morning train in Springfield, and extends weekend stops to Windsor and Windsor Locks. -
Board Issues a Policy Statement on Rail Preemption
Nov 07, 26 10:44 AM
The Surface Transportation Board placed a policy statement on public inspection for the November 9 Federal Register. It reviews existing preemption precedent and says it makes no binding determination… -
NJ Transit Restores Lines After the Newark Drawbridge Stop
Nov 07, 26 10:37 AM
NJ Transit said Morris and Essex service between Hackettstown and Dover, and Montclair-Boonton service between Hackettstown and Montclair State University, resumed after the Newark Drawbridge stop. -
EMD "SD35" Locomotives: Data Sheet, Specs, Roster
Nov 06, 26 10:35 PM
EMD SD35, 2,500 horsepower, 16-cylinder 567D3A, built June 1964 through January 1966. 360 locomotives. Specifications and the production roster by owner, serial, and order. -
EMD "SDP35" Locomotives: Data Sheet, Specs, Roster
Nov 06, 26 10:32 PM
EMD SDP35, the steam-generator SD35. 35 locomotives, July 1964 through September 1965. Seaboard Air Line 1100-1119, Atlantic Coast Line 550, Louisville and Nashville 1700-1703, Union Pacific 1400-1409… -
RJ Corman Will Be Replaced on Part of the Luzerne Lines
Nov 06, 26 01:34 PM
A November 6, 2026 notice says Wilkes-Barre Terminal Railway would acquire about 59.65 miles in Luzerne County and replace R.J. Corman as operator on part of the line. The earliest date is November 22… -
NS Names a Student Hub at the University of Georgia
Nov 06, 26 12:03 PM
Norfolk Southern said a 100,000 dollar gift named a student-organization hub in Driftmier Engineering Center. The University of Georgia marked the naming on October 26. The space is for 23 clubs. -
Union Pacific Filed Its Vena Recording Certification
Nov 06, 26 11:56 AM
Union Pacific filed a November 5, 2026 verified statement that the confidential label is off the March 17 Vena recording and that parties of record received a copy at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. -
OmniTRAX Adds Tenants at Its Blue Island Hub
Nov 06, 26 10:26 AM
OmniTRAX has signed new construction-company leases at its 90-acre Blue Island, Illinois, hub and is planning a second phase. -
Veterans and Active-Duty Members Exceed 16 Percent of Norfolk Southern
Nov 06, 26 10:14 AM
Norfolk Southern said on November 5, 2026, that more than 3,000 veterans and active-duty service members are more than 16 percent of its workforce. This year grants are $100,000 and $50,000. -
BNSF: Merger Would Put Half of U.S. Rail Shipments Under One Railroad
Nov 06, 26 10:00 AM
BNSF chief marketing officer Tom G. Williams told customers on November 3, 2026, that a Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger would put about half of U.S. rail shipments under one railroad. Nothing is… -
Amtrak Opens a Winter Fare Sale
Nov 06, 26 09:28 AM
Amtrak opened a Winter Wanderlust sale on November 5, 2026. Book by November 12 for travel from December 1, 2026, through March 14, 2027. Blackout dates apply. Coach and Acela Business only. -
CN and CPKC Report October Grain Records
Nov 06, 26 08:50 AM
CPKC reported October 2026 grain records in Canada and the United States. CN reported 3.54 million metric tonnes across Canada. The releases do not print a combined total. -
New Brunswick Transload Gets CN Rail Service
Nov 06, 26 08:49 AM
CN said on November 4, 2026, that it has started serving AD Gagnon Transload Services near Grand Falls, New Brunswick. The site is three kilometres from the Trans-Canada Highway and lists room for 106…
