Lackawanna Bridge
Lackawanna Bridge, 1900s
Then
The Morris and Essex Railroad first crossed the Whippany River in Morristown in 1837, making it possible for residents to take the train to Newark. The Delaware, Western, and Lackawanna Railroad bought the M&E in 1868, and ran both passenger and freight trains on the line. The DL&W also elevated the line in Chatham and Morristown.
There are two plaques on the bridge, indicating that the lower stone arch was built in 1886 and the concrete addition on the top was added in 1902. The railroad changed hands several more times over the years. In 1960, the DL&W merged with its longtime rival, the Erie Railroad, to form the Erie-Lackawanna. In 1976 Conrail was formed out of seven bankrupt railroads in the northeast and took over the line.
Lackawanna Bridge, 2012
Now
New Jersey Transit began operating passenger trains on the tracks in 1983 and has owned them ever since. The trains that run over this bridge are part of the Morristown Line, one of two sections of the Morris and Essex Line. Overhead catenary cables are visible: the line was first electrified in 1930, and again in 1984, to bring it up to more modern standards.