August, 1981 found me crossing over the Anderson Street grade crossing in Raritan, NJ. Looking west I noticed a train's headlight approaching and thought I would wait around to see what was coming. In the lead was CR 2170 (GP30; ex-RDG 3602) leading a mixed freight. Still familiarizing myself with a new 35 mm camera, I photographed it as it approached the grade crossing. In this scene, NJT's engine facility can be seen off to the left in the background.
Now fast forward to December 11, 2011. It is around 8:15 AM as the "Santa Claus Train", sponsored by the Jersey Central Railway Historical Society, approaches the Raritan station. With the exception of the signals being obvious, other changes that have occurred over the thirty years between these two scenes are rather subtle.
