Little Falls station
| Company type | NJ Transit commuter rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | January 1, 1873 |
| Headquarters | Little Falls, New Jersey , United States |
Area served | Passaic County, New Jersey |
| Products | Commuter rail service (Montclair–Boonton Line) |
| Owner | NJ Transit |
Little Falls is a functioning commuter railroad stop situated within the township of Little Falls, New Jersey, in Passaic County, New Jersey. Positioned at the terminus of Union Boulevard, it accommodates NJ Transit's Montclair–Boonton Line trains primarily during peak travel times. The service connects New York Penn Station, Hoboken Terminal, and other destinations such as Dover and Hackettstown. Located to the west of Great Notch Yard and eastward from Denville station, the station operates without electrified tracks, which limits the frequency of train arrivals. Little Falls consists of a single low-level side platform and preserves the original brick depot constructed by the Erie Railroad.
Rail operations commenced on January 1, 1873, with the inauguration of the Montclair Railway, later incorporated into the Erie Railroad's New York and Greenwood Lake Railway division. Initially, it was one of four Erie-built stations within the township; however, following the closure of Great Notch on January 17, 2010, Little Falls remains the sole active station. The nearby Montclair State University station also provides service to this area.
Establishment and early development (1873–1910)
Rail service in Little Falls began on January 1, 1873, coinciding with the launch of the Montclair Railway, which ran from Jersey City to Sterling Forest near Greenwood Lake. The line featured two stops within the township: Little Falls and Great Notch. Little Falls was situated and took approximately 63 minutes to reach from Jersey City, with twelve trains stopping daily. Joseph Cooke served as the inaugural station agent and telegraph operator.
At that period, Little Falls was a modest community featuring local educational institutions, retail shops, churches, and the Beattie Carpet Mill established in 1842. The township was served by two stagecoach routes to Paterson and three mail routes. The arrival of the railroad was seen as a growth driver expected to attract both permanent residents and temporary visitors. Nonetheless, expansion was hindered by affluent landowners who were hesitant to sell their properties despite promising financial returns.
The first Little Falls station was a simple wooden structure. In July 1879, plans were announced by the New York and Greenwood Lake Railway (the successor to the Montclair Railway) to replace this with a new brick depot targeted for completion by August 1879. This initiative followed community requests to designate Little Falls as a primary terminus instead of Montclair Heights station.
Transition in ownership and station upgrades (1976–1979)
On April 1, 1976, ownership of Little Falls station along with the Boonton Line transferred to Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) after federal authorities assumed control of Erie Lackawanna Railroad. By October that year, local officials approached the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) seeking funds for refurbishing both Little Falls and Great Notch stations due to their deteriorated conditions. However, NJDOT had exhausted funds from a 1968 bond issue and needed alternative financial resources. The depot at Little Falls along with its parking facilities were notably run-down and lacked proper signage.
Passaic County planner John Mancinelli proposed establishing a new park-and-ride lot on County Route 620 intended to replace Great Notch and Montclair Heights stations. He suggested that municipal authorities pressure Conrail—owner of Little Falls’ parking lot—to enhance parking conditions. Despite this proposal, progress lagged through 1977; only a fence was installed while potholes worsened and structural decay increased. Conrail declined funding improvements without state reimbursement commitments; NJDOT criticized Conrail's upkeep efforts. Conrail considered either routine repairs or demolition but required full approval from state agencies for funding.
The township planner recommended acquiring ownership of depots from Conrail, which expressed willingness if titles were clear. However, liens resulting from Erie Lackawanna’s bankruptcy complicated negotiations and required resolution by October 1978 involving federal funding agencies. Although interested in purchasing, Conrail refused sales through 1982. Local advisory groups contemplated fundraising combined with municipal support to buy stations for conversion into a historical museum.
Assemblyman Emil Olszowy intervened in late 1977 amid ongoing delays from Conrail. Inspections in early 1978 confirmed severe disrepair at both locations; NJDOT agreed that renovation costs would be borne by the state while routine maintenance remained Conrail’s responsibility. No immediate funds were allocated for repairs but an upcoming contract option in September 1978 allowed NJDOT to acquire stations and lease them to municipalities based on future prospects.
In June 1978 NJDOT announced plans to purchase all 137 stations from Conrail for less than $1.5 million and lease them rent-free to municipalities pending Commuter Operating Agency (COA) approval. On August 29, COA approved a $17.5 million deal covering 130 stations and 374 miles of rail line enabling NJDOT to pursue $600 million in federal grants for renovations. Local planners prepared improvement proposals for Great Notch and Little Falls focusing on roof restoration, window replacement, and parking upgrades.
The agreement was finalized by September 22; Little Falls Mayor Fred DeFuria commended NJDOT’s role and considered implementing parking fees post-paving improvements to fund maintenance. The Little Falls Historical Society planned to establish a museum at Great Notch station. Meanwhile, unannounced weekend work milling potholes in Little Falls parking lot was later confirmed as Conrail’s effort to improve surface conditions using rock rather than paving; NJDOT denied involvement.
On October 4, 1978 NJDOT outlined upcoming repairs at Little Falls including roof replacement or repair, new doors and windows installation, painting inside and out, potential paving of parking areas with curbs, lighting enhancements, and landscaping improvements. A specialized Conrail team was being assembled statewide for station renovations. Plans included demolishing Great Notch depot in favor of installing a shelter after evaluating alternatives.
Renovation work began November 1978 but paused following a suspicious fire causing minor damage to the depot in December. Work resumed in April 1979 addressing plumbing and electrical systems; roof replacement was confirmed alongside new platform benches, exterior lighting improvements, and heating system upgrades.
By May 1979 NJDOT offered long-term leases for depots to Little Falls at $1 annually with maintenance funded through parking fees and rentals. Although Great Notch station was not financially self-sustaining alone, revenue generated from Little Falls could support it. A ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 19 marked completion of renovations at Little Falls station where officials highlighted upgraded restroom facilities alongside plans for converting the depot into a transit center and historical museum.
Station layout and services
Located at the terminus of Union Avenue (County Route 646) within the township, Little Falls station is also accessible via Montclair Avenue (CR 645) through Railroad Avenue. The facility comprises a single low-level side platform adjacent to the primary revenue track and includes a passenger siding. A parking area managed by NJ Transit provides 134 spaces, offering complimentary overnight parking, though it contains only one space designated for handicapped accessibility. On the platform, passengers can find a ticket vending machine as well as bicycle storage lockers.
Little Falls station is served by NJ Transit's Montclair–Boonton Line, positioned between the Wayne Route 23 Transit Center to the west and Montclair State University station toward the east. It stands out as the sole station on this line classified within fare zone 8. Additionally, the station is linked to several NJ Transit bus routes, including 11, 191, 704, and 705.