The Morristown & Erie Railway marked its third consecutive year of freight rail traffic increases in 2015.
The Morristown, NJ-based short line railroad has seen an eight percent increase in freight rail traffic in Morris County since 2014. This equates to over 2,000 trucks removed from New Jersey’s congested highway system annually.
The Morristown & Erie hauls a diverse group of products, including plastics, lumber, food products, and petroleum additives. The 26-mile railroad has seen an overall 72 percent increase in freight traffic since 2010.
“Our customers remain our number one priority,” said Marketing & Logistics Manager Rudy Garbely. “Several positive developments in 2015 helped the Morristown & Erie increase its business. We improved our efficiency, expanded and rebuilt our facilities, and acquired the equipment and tools necessary to improve service and expand growth possibilities for our customers.”
During 2015, the Morristown & Erie also saw traffic gains at its Bayway Refinery switching operation in Linden, NJ, continuing a trend that has seen carloads increase 29 percent since 2010. The Morristown & Erie has fostered this increase by helping to coordinate service times between Class I rail carriers and the receivers within the refinery, improving the refinery’s efficiency and output while providing more reliable service.
The railroad is projecting similar traffic increases in 2016, partly due to several capital improvement projects designed to harness additional business opportunities.
Construction on the brand-new Troy Hills Road Bulk Transload Facility, located just off Route 10 in Whippany, was completed in 2015. The location’s 13 railcar spots and easy, convenient access in central Morris County will facilitate the continued expansion and flexibility of Morristown & Erie freight rail services while further reducing truck traffic on New Jersey’s roads.
One of the leading developments for the Morristown & Erie in 2015 was the increase of vertical height clearances on the NJ Transit Morristown Line. The Morristown & Erie, which has freight operating rights on this section of NJ Transit’s track, is now able to interchange 15’6” height Plate C railcars with CSX Transportation in Kearny, NJ. This includes the majority of boxcars, all centerbeam lumber cars, and covered hopper cars. This will provide additional shipping options and added flexibility for the Morristown & Erie’s customers.
“As we enter our 121st year of continuous service in 2016, we are continuing to look for ways to help our customers develop,” Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Chuck Jensen said. “We take pride in providing the vital supply chain link between industries and new markets for their products. If we can provide the facilities and means for our customers to expand their business, we have succeeded in our number one mission: customer service.”
Click here to download the Morristown & Erie's press release.
