Once again, your editor is on the road. This time it’s a fast trip to the Eastern US, the camera isn’t even along. Air Canada gets me to Newark, New Jersey via Toronto, and then I drive a Hertz Mustang north to Paterson, NJ. Settled in, I tackle something I have never done before—drive into Manhattan to visit a friend for dinner. All previous trips to this great city have been by air, train and cab, so this is something new. I manage it just fine, and knowing my way around have no trouble getting to the place on 54th St in midtown Manhattan, near 5th Ave. I manage, believe it or not, to find a parking spot on the street—and for free! OK, it is a Sunday, but still a big wow!

Monday, May 2, I’m in Paterson, NJ for business meetings. It is raining outside, but my Holiday Inn room has a view of the tracks, and a constant parade of Metro North and New Jersey Transit diesel powered commuter trains. No, I don’t know which line I’m near, but who cares, the trains whistle for a crossing providing nice ambiance while I manage a couple of hours at the Newsletter. After my meetings it’s a rainy four hour drive to York, PA, not much time to do anything but look at the road.

Tuesday, May 4 and I have morning meetings in York, then start back for Newark and flights home. Weather much better, and the drive back through Pennsylvania enjoyable this time. I push on to avoid getting caught late, but all is well, there are no delays, and I arrive Newark just before 1400 hours. So, and hour to kill, what to do? Well, let’s park by the Northeast corridor and see what’s running.

And so, the following observations recorded in 60 minutes at Newark:

• 1357k, New Jersey Transit train, electric locomotive, southbound
• 1359k, New Jersey Transit train, electric locomotive, northbound
• 1401k, Amtrak Florida long distance train, northbound
• 1404k, New Jersey Transit, electric locomotive, southbound
• 1409k, Amtrak AEM 7 and Amfleet train, northbound
• 1410k, New Jersey Transit, F40 diesel power, southbound
• 1419k, New Jersey Transit, electric locomotive, northbound
• 1420k, Amtrak Acela Express southbound
• 1426k, Amtrak AEM 7 with Amfleet train, southbound
• 1427k, Amtrak AEM 7 with Amfleet train, northbound
• 1433k, New Jersey Transit, electric locomotive, northbound
• 1434k, New Jersey Transit, electric locomotive, southbound
• 1438k, New Jersey Transit, GP40C diesel locomotive, southbound
• 1440k, Amtrak Acela Express northbound
• 1449k, New Jersey Transit, F40 diesel locomotive, northbound
• 1456k, New Jersey Transit, electric locomotive, southbound.

60 minutes, 16 passenger trains, on the busiest stretch of mainline railroad in North America. It was an hour well spent!