Princeton Junction, New Jersey, June 29, 2014.

Views on the Long Tangent.

The former Pennsylvania Railroad at Princeton Junction is on an exceptionally long level tangent and on fast track. A headlight appears as a twinkle. Minutes pass. The rails begin to sing and the catenary starts to resonate. Then a train blasts by at more than 100 mph!

Amtrak's Acele Express blasts through Princeton Junction at more than 100mph. Exposed with a Lumix LX-7. — Amtrak’s Acele Express blasts through Princeton Junction at more than 100mph. Exposed with a Lumix LX-7.

It was here that my father captured the United Aircraft TurboTrain on trial at speed back in the 1960s.

Princeton Junction is also where you can switch to the ‘Dinky’, which traverses NJ Transit’s shortest branch (recently made even shorter) to Princeton.

Old Pennsylvania Railroad position light signals (modified with color aspects) remain standard on the Northeast Corridor. Exposed using a Canon 7D with 200mm lens.

On the evening of July 29, 2014, an Amtrak Keystone train approaches Princeton Junction. The old PRR tower is on the right. An eastbound Keystone from Harrisburg was bearing down at the same time. The two trains passed at the station with a closing speed of more than 200 mph! — On the evening of June 29, 2014, an Amtrak Keystone train approaches Princeton Junction. The old PRR tower is on the right. An eastbound Keystone from Harrisburg was bearing down at the same time. The two trains passed at the station with a closing speed of more than 200 mph!

Think fast and act faster; I had only a few moments to turn around and catch this running meet between Amtrak Keystone trains. Both are moving at more than 100 mph!

An NJ Transit train from New York Penn Station pauses on the platform at Princeton Junction. Exposed with a Canon EOS 7D with 200mm lens.

An eastbound New Jersey Transit train from Trenton glides toward Princeton Junction. Since track 1 is out of service, passenger will board from platform extensions to track 2. The fading light of this June evening made for an atmospheric image on the busy North East Corridor. Canon EOS 7D with 200mm lens.

Tomorrow, Tracking the Light takes a spin on the Dinky!

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2 comments on “Princeton Junction, New Jersey, June 29, 2014.”

briansolomon1 on July 22, 2014 at 9:30 am said:

No, sorry, that would be typo. I’m glad you’re paying attention though. I’ll fix it shortly. It was supposed to be June, not July! I wish I could go back, not forward. Cheers, Brian

Chris on July 20, 2014 at 1:30 pm said:

July 29th, 2014 ?? Back to the Future??