GG-1's and E-8's at South Amboy Part 2 Video by Al Fontana

Footage at South Amboy on the old New York & Long Branch from the summer of 1983. Much like Tony Sr., Al Fontana was an earlier pioneer of VHS recording and he gave us a copy of this footage 35 years ago. Although the quality doesn't match modern video equipment it is still a priceless record of a time of transition for New Jersey Transit. During this morning parade of trains, E-8's are swapped for GG-1's on northbound trains for the run into New York Penn Station. The GG-1's approaching 50 years of age are running their final miles on the New York & Long Branch and will be retired in the fall. The E-8's only have a few more years of service left as well. The GP40PH's will be rebuilt and enjoy years several more decades of service. The need to change power at South Amboy was eliminated in 1988 when electrification was extended to Long Branch allowing electric locomotives to continue south to that point. Service to Bay Head will still be handled by diesel powered connecting and through trains. Part 1 of this series will come at some point in the future as I will try to clean that portion up a little which has some static lines in it.