As it travels parallel to the Hudson between Hoboken and Jersey City PATH has three stations close to
the river: the terminal at Hoboken, Pavonia/Newport, and Exchange Place. At all three
locations the Hudson and
Manhattan Railroad, predecessor to PATH, once met
standard rail lines that ended by the water. Arriving railroad passengers
could continue on to Manhattan by H&M underground, or by taking one
of the many ferries, operated by the railroads, then in service.
Only Hoboken, location for the photo on this page, still
serves this purpose. Upstairs from PATH is the rather decrepit elegance of the former Lackawanna Terminal,
from where NJ Transit runs commuter trains to and from various destinations.
Hudson Bergen Light Rail is also located nearby.
Hoboken is the end of the tracks for this branch of PATH, but in a
traffic scheme unusual in the U.S., some trains are
through-routed here, requiring a change in direction. The rail fan
can start his or her trip at Journal Square in Jersey City seated facing
forward, and then
watch the motorman leave the first car at Hoboken, keys in hand. A few minutes later the
rider winds up looking rearward as the train continues onward
toward
33rd St. in Manhattan.
The particular service that does this operates during hours of limited patronage. |
