Montclair–Boonton Line

Montclair–Boonton Line

Company type	Commuter rail service
Industry	Public transportation
Founded	2002
Founder	New Jersey Transit Rail Operations
Headquarters	New Jersey , United States
Area served	New Jersey, New York
Products	Commuter rail transportation
Parent	New Jersey Transit Rail Operations

Montclair–Boonton Line Overview

The Montclair–Boonton Line is a commuter rail service managed by New Jersey Transit Rail Operations, created by merging three previous lines: the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad's Montclair Branch (running from Hoboken Terminal to Bay Street in Montclair), a portion of the Erie Railroad's Greenwood Lake Division (connecting Montclair to Mountain View–Wayne), and the Lackawanna Boonton Line (stretching from Hoboken to Hackettstown).

This line was established following the inauguration of the Montclair Connection on September 30, 2002. It currently serves 28 active stations across New Jersey, in addition to New York Pennsylvania Station, covering six counties. Key service areas include six stops in Montclair, two in Bloomfield, and one in Newark. Eastbound trains generally originate from Hackettstown, Mount Olive, Lake Hopatcong, Dover, or Montclair State University, concluding their routes at either Hoboken Terminal or New York Penn Station. On transit maps, the line is represented by a maroon color and uses the eastern goldfinch as its emblem.

As of 2010 data, approximately two-thirds of weekday trains utilize the Kearny Connection to reach Secaucus Junction and New York Penn Station; trains not using this route primarily serve Hoboken Terminal during peak periods. Important transfer hubs along the line include Secaucus Junction, Newark Broad Street, Montclair State University, and Dover stations. Weekend operations were scaled back in 2009 to a bi-hourly schedule between Bay Street (Montclair) and Hoboken with all local stops.

Initial concepts for the Montclair Connection date back to 1929 but only progressed after studies conducted in 1991. The closure of Lackawanna Terminal in Montclair in 1981 led to the establishment of Bay Street station on what would become the connection route. Once completed in 2002, passenger services were rerouted along the new track segment between Bay Street and Walnut Street stations; meanwhile, freight traffic continued on the former Boonton Line stretch east of Walnut Street toward Arlington. This realignment caused the closure of three stations: Benson Street (Glen Ridge), Rowe Street (Bloomfield), and Arlington (Kearny). The disused rail corridor is currently being transformed into the Essex Hudson Greenway trail.

In 1994, service was extended from Netcong to Hackettstown utilizing tracks now owned by Norfolk Southern. The stations at Roseville Avenue (Newark), Ampere (East Orange), and Great Notch (Little Falls) ceased operations in 1984, 1991, and 2010 respectively. Proposed future expansions involve extending service via the Lackawanna Cut-Off Restoration Project to Andover and reactivating former New York and Greenwood Lake lines toward Pompton Junction as well as sections along the New York, Susquehanna and Western. However, some segments have been removed to accommodate rail trails. Another expansion plan focuses on rapid transit development along the Washington Secondary corridor from Washington Borough to Phillipsburg via New Jersey Route 57.

Montclair Branch (Delaware, Lackawanna and Western)

The Montclair Branch traces its origins to 1852 when it was established as the Newark and Bloomfield Railroad, serving communities such as Bloomfield and West Bloomfield (now known as Montclair). By 1856, tracks were completed enabling service between Newark, Bloomfield, and West Bloomfield despite initial financial difficulties. On April 1, 1868, ownership transferred to the Morris & Essex Railroad which renamed it the "Montclair Branch" following West Bloomfield’s renaming to Montclair. Shortly thereafter, trackage rights were granted to the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad. Infrastructure enhancements during the early 1900s included lowering and elevating tracks to remove street-level crossings.

By 1912, the branch had been double-tracked with grade crossings eliminated; stations such as Watsessing Avenue and Glen Ridge were constructed below street level while Ampere and Bloomfield stations were raised above street level. Roseville Avenue station had already been lowered since 1903.

In June 1913, the Montclair Lackawanna Terminal opened its doors. Designed by architect William H. Botsford—who had tragically died aboard the Titanic in 1912—the terminal showcased Grecian-Doric style architecture featuring innovative concrete arches with dentils. The facility included six tracks served by three platforms and a Grove Street overpass spanning the tracks. In 1930, the Montclair Branch became the first fully electrified suburban railroad line; its inaugural electric train was operated by Thomas Edison, who played a significant role in its electrification development. On July 26, 1945, the Morris & Essex Railroad Company was dissolved and merged into Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad as its Morris & Essex Division.

New York and Greenwood Lake Railroad (Erie)

Initially chartered in 1867 as the New York and Montclair Railroad, the New York & Greenwood Lake Railway was established to construct a route stretching from Jersey City to the New York state boundary at Greenwood Lake. The railroad’s development led to West Bloomfield separating from Bloomfield and adopting the name Montclair. The line was completed in 1872, featuring four stations within Montclair: Montclair, Watchung Avenue, Upper Montclair, and Montclair Heights. By 1884, it had become part of the Erie Railroad system; today, segments of its original track serve as the Walnut Street–Mountain View section of the Montclair-Boonton Line.

This railroad originally traversed through Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, and Newark before reaching Kearny, where it crossed the Hackensack River and Meadowlands en route to Jersey City. Key stations along this route included Arlington and West Arlington in Kearny; Forest Hill and North Newark in Newark; Belwood Park, Rowe Street, Orchard Street, Walnut Street in Bloomfield; as well as Benson Street in Glen Ridge. At Forest Hill, the Orange Branch diverged at OJ Tower, constructed in 1897. Passenger operations on the Orange Branch ceased on May 20, 1955; however, freight service persisted until 1994 when tracks between White Street in West Orange and Watsessing in Bloomfield were dismantled. Norfolk Southern utilized a portion of this track until 2010 to serve the Hartz Mountain facility prior to its closure. Historically, the Orange Branch catered to numerous industrial customers along its path. Remaining track sections are incorporated into the Newark Light Rail, including Silver Lake Station—formerly known as Walnut Street and designated Montclair-Erie Plaza to differentiate it from Montclair Lackawanna Terminal. The line further extended toward Sterling Forest and Ringwood near the border with New York state.

Boonton Branch

Constructed in 1868 by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (DL&W), the Boonton Branch was designed as a freight bypass for the Morris & Essex Railroad due to insufficient freight capacity on passenger lines. Its route connected Denville with Hoboken Terminal, passing through Boonton and Paterson. Freight operations commenced on September 12, 1870, followed by passenger services beginning December 14 of the same year.

Erie Lackawanna Railroad

The merger of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (DL&W) with the Erie Railroad on October 1, 1960 resulted in the formation of the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad. In 1963, the former DL&W Boonton Branch segment between Mountain View and Paterson was abandoned and its right-of-way sold to the New Jersey Department of Transportation for constructing Interstate 80 and New Jersey Route 19 (initially designated as New Jersey Route 20). Although it was feasible for the railroad to finance a single track alongside these highways, financial limitations led Erie-Lackawanna to decline this option. To preserve rail access from western regions into Hoboken, the eastern portion of Erie’s former Greenwood Lake Branch was linked to the western end of DL&W’s Boonton Line, resulting in what became known as the Greenwood Lake-Boonton Line. Additionally, the original DL&W Boonton Line east of Clifton was connected with Erie’s Main Line during track removals through Passaic.

New Jersey Transit

In 1983, New Jersey Transit took over full responsibility for maintaining the Montclair Branch and Boonton Line. The Boonton Line ran westward from Hoboken Terminal through Kearny, crossing the Passaic River at West Arlington, then continuing through North Newark, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Montclair, and terminating at Netcong. The Montclair Branch, part of the Morris & Essex Lines along with the Morristown and Gladstone Branches, consisted of six stations stretching from Newark to Montclair. While the Montclair Branch was electrified, the Boonton Line continued to operate with diesel locomotives.

During the next ten years, NJ Transit closed multiple stations on the Montclair Branch: Harrison and Roseville Avenue in 1984, followed by Ampere in East Orange in 1991. In June 1992, proposals were made to extend service on the Morristown and Boonton Lines westward from Netcong to Hackettstown. This extension became operational on November 6, 1994, utilizing Conrail's Washington Secondary line and adding stops at Mount Olive and Hackettstown. NJ Transit leased this track segment from Conrail (later Norfolk Southern Railway) starting in 1994 and ultimately purchased it in 2023.

Montclair Connection

Completed by New Jersey Transit in 2002, the Montclair Connection linked the Boonton Line with the Montclair Branch along Pine Street in Montclair. Initially proposed in 1929 by the Regional Plan Association as a connection between the New York & Greenwood Lake line and the Montclair Branch, this project was postponed due to the Great Depression. Interest revived in the late 1990s, transforming the plan from a single-track diesel connector into a double-track electric link with extended overhead wires. After discussions with Montclair township, design work began in 1998 followed by construction commencing in 1999.

Once finished, the Montclair Branch and Boonton Line were combined into what became known as the "Montclair-Boonton Line." Stations on the former Montclair Branch remained operational; however, three stations on the old Greenwood Lake route—Arlington, Rowe Street, and Benson Street—were closed on September 20, 2002. That segment was transferred to Norfolk Southern for upkeep. The Benson Street station structure, which had suffered fire damage during the 1980s, was sold to a private developer and reconstructed in 2009. At Bay Street station, upgrades converted a single platform into two high-level platforms accompanied by new track installations during this period.

The connection enabled direct train service to New York Penn Station for commuters who had previously only accessed Hoboken Terminal. Service improvements included diesel and express trains running between Montclair Heights and Hackettstown as well as new Midtown Direct trains operating from Montclair Heights to New York with transfers available at Great Notch. Additional Midtown Direct service on the Morristown line was accessible at Denville and Dover stations. The project also involved modernization of Great Notch Yard, although weekend service was not introduced.

Following completion of the connection, approximately eleven miles of rail between Montclair and Jersey City were abandoned; both DB Draw and WR Draw bridges were left in an open position. Subsequently, local advocacy organizations proposed repurposing this corridor into the "Essex-Hudson Greenway," envisioned as a pedestrian and bicycle trail linking Montclair with Jersey City.

Montclair State University Station

On June 10, 2002, New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey revealed a collaboration with Montclair State University (MSU) aimed at launching the Midtown Direct service. The initiative included constructing a new train station and parking structure in Little Falls to improve campus accessibility, which had previously depended on Montclair Heights station. Construction encountered setbacks due to legal disputes concerning residential relocations and parking issues. The plan incorporated a parking garage with 1,300 spaces, originally estimated at $36 million, fully financed through bonds issued by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to MSU.

The Montclair State University Station officially commenced operations on October 20, 2004, featuring an expanded parking deck accommodating 1,500 vehicles, which helped alleviate traffic congestion on surrounding roads. Electrification of the rail line was extended approximately one mile north from Montclair Heights to this new station, significantly improving commuter convenience.

Wayne Route 23 and Mount Arlington stations

Prior to 2008, Wayne was served solely by the Mountain View station, while the Lake Hopatcong area relied on the Lake Hopatcong station located in Landing. To reduce highway congestion by promoting public transit, the Wayne Route 23 Transit Center and Mount Arlington Intermodal Train Station with Park & Ride amenities were inaugurated in 2008.

Situated near the Westbelt Mall at the Route 23 interchange, the Wayne Route 23 Transit Center replaced the former Singac station site through a $16.3 million contract awarded to J.H. Reid of South Plainfield. This facility was designed to encourage commuters to shift from roadways to rail and bus options.

Construction of Mount Arlington Station commenced in April 2006 on an existing Lakeland Bus parking lot, adding 57 new spaces at a cost of $12.1 million with Terminal Construction Corporation as the contractor. Both stations opened within a short span: Wayne Route 23 began service on January 12, 2008 (with trains starting January 14), followed by Mount Arlington’s opening on January 21, 2008, making it the newest addition to the line.

Weekend service

Following the opening of the Montclair Connection in 2002, weekend train service was absent on the Montclair-Boonton Line, unlike other NJ Transit routes. Over six years, local officials from Montclair persistently urged NJ Transit to introduce weekend operations, emphasizing advantages such as decreased traffic congestion and reduced environmental impact. Initially, NJ Transit declined these requests due to concerns over train horn restrictions and operational complexities. Despite ongoing appeals since 2007, the agency cited limitations in capacity and infrastructure—reasons that advocates considered insufficient.

On September 30, 2009, NJ Transit announced a new weekend schedule offering trains every two hours between Bay Street station and Hoboken Terminal—a trip lasting approximately 35 minutes. This service officially launched on November 8, 2009, celebrated with an event at Bay Street station.

Closure of Great Notch

Great Notch station, established in 1905 as a transfer point on the New York & Greenwood Lake line, experienced a decline in passenger numbers after Montclair State University station opened in 2004 nearby. By 2008, it had only 69 parking spots and limited train stops. NJ Transit proposed shutting down Great Notch by October that year. Due to public opposition, negotiations led to a "one-year trial" beginning in April 2009 aimed at increasing ridership.

Despite these efforts, average daily boardings remained low—around nine passengers—and NJ Transit proceeded with closing the station effective January 17, 2010. Travelers were encouraged to utilize Montclair State University or Little Falls stations as alternatives.

Hurricane Sandy

On October 29–30, 2012, the Montclair-Boonton Line experienced extensive damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, including numerous fallen trees and disrupted catenary and signal wiring. Train operations were completely halted until November 14, when limited electric Midtown Direct and diesel services between Hackettstown and Hoboken were reinstated.

Lackawanna Cut-Off

New Jersey Transit's 2020 Transit: Possibilities For The Future report from 2000 identifies the Montclair-Boonton Line as a potential candidate for expansion beyond the Montclair Connection. The Lackawanna Cut-Off, which originally served as part of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad's mainline from 1911 to 1970, is planned to resume operations as the Andover Branch off Montclair-Boonton trains. The initial Minimal Operable Segment (MOS) spans a section extending to Andover, New Jersey. Passenger service will utilize an upgraded track alignment from Port Morris Junction, with several Montclair-Boonton trains rerouted to Andover.

Beyond Hackettstown

The same study proposed extending service westward from Hackettstown along the Norfolk Southern-operated Washington Secondary line toward Phillipsburg, New Jersey. This route would pass through communities such as Port Murray, Rockport, Washington, and Stewartsville, ultimately connecting with a lengthened Raritan Valley Line. There is local enthusiasm for introducing passenger service on this freight-active corridor, including plans for park-and-ride facilities to improve commuter accessibility. This proposed extension aims to strengthen transit options along the Route 57 corridor and attract riders from northern New Jersey and New York. Nevertheless, New Jersey Transit has yet to allocate funding for this initiative.

Pompton Extension

The final proposed expansion involves utilizing the New York and Greenwood Lake tracks starting at Mountain View station and heading north to the former Pompton Junction station. Known as the Pompton Extension, this project seeks to link Montclair-Boonton service with planned rail operations to Sparta, New Jersey on the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad. It would serve stations at Pequannock, Pompton Plains, Bloomingdale, and Pompton Junction. Unlike other projects, the Pompton Extension remains in the study phase without secured funding, partly due to unresolved issues concerning yard locations in Sparta.

East of Bloomfield

Montclair-Boonton Line trains commence service either at Hoboken Terminal (covering all weekend runs) or New York Penn Station. From Hoboken, trains follow the Morristown Line route westward through the Bergen Tunnels before crossing the Hackensack River via the Lower Hack Lift bridge. The line continues through Kearny and Harrison, where a passenger station originally constructed in 1904 during William Truesdale's elevation project once operated.

Departing Harrison, trains traverse the Passaic River on Bridge 7.48—a swing drawbridge dating back to 1901—entering Newark and stopping at Newark Broad Street Station, which is the first active stop after Secaucus Junction. Proceeding through Newark's Roseville neighborhood, the line passes near the former location of Roseville Avenue station. Built in 1905 with separate platforms serving both Montclair Branch and Morris & Essex Lines, this station closed in 1984; its tower stood until demolition in 2002 during construction of the Montclair Connection. At this point, Montclair-Boonton veers northward through Roseville into East Orange, New Jersey, crossing the Ampere district.

Located near Springdale Avenue and Ampere Parkway was the former Ampere Station, which opened around 1909 but ceased operations in 1991 alongside Grove Street. The line then continues onward into Bloomfield.

Bloomfield and Glen Ridge

Upon leaving East Orange and entering Bloomfield, the Montclair-Boonton Line arrives at its subsequent stop, Watsessing Avenue, which is the first station beyond Newark Broad Street. Constructed underground during the 1912 grade crossing removal project, this station is situated within an open cut. The railway then passes beneath Watsessing Avenue and Dodd Street, continues northward under the Garden State Parkway between Exit 148’s toll booths, and crosses through Watsessing Park. Emerging above ground, the tracks reach Bloomfield Station, also elevated in 1912 to eliminate grade crossings.

The route advances northwest alongside Toney's Brook just southeast of Bloomfield Avenue, entering Glen Ridge. Here, it descends below street level near Ridgewood Avenue (Essex County Route 653) into Glen Ridge station. This stop has two platforms and a station building constructed in 1912 above track level, resembling the structure at Watsessing Avenue. After Glen Ridge, the line passes beneath Bloomfield Avenue (County Route 506) before continuing into Montclair.

Montclair

After passing under Bloomfield Avenue, the Montclair-Boonton Line enters Montclair and diverges from the DL&W alignment, curving toward Bay Street station. Opened in 1981 as a replacement for the older Lackawanna Terminal, Bay Street is the most recent addition to the Montclair Branch and functions as the northern endpoint for weekend services. The line then runs parallel to Pine Street on newly laid track until it merges with the Erie (NY&GL) alignment near Pine and Grant Streets. From there, it continues north to Walnut Street station, located adjacent to Erie Park—named after the former Erie Railroad. Built in 1952 following demolition of a larger predecessor, Walnut Street is the first of five stations along the New York & Greenwood Lake portion of the line and features two low side platforms at ground level.

Proceeding along Erie Street through Montclair’s parks, the route arrives at Watchung Avenue station, which is the third of six stations in Montclair. Originally established in 1901 as an Erie Railroad Type V design, Watchung Avenue is situated less than a mile from neighboring stops. It consists of two low platforms positioned on embankments adjacent to a bridge spanning Watchung Avenue.

Upper Montclair

The tracks continue northward over a bridge and Valley Road into the Upper Montclair neighborhood, running alongside Anderson Park before crossing Bellevue Avenue to reach Upper Montclair station. This fourth Montclair stop has two low platforms. The original Type V station building from 1898 was damaged by fire on February 5, 2006.

Reconstruction resulted in a larger station building with an initially planned reopening date in February 2010. The new Upper Montclair station officially resumed operations on June 18, 2010, during a ceremony attended by New Jersey Transit representatives, state officials, and Montclair’s mayor Jerry Fried.

Beyond Upper Montclair, the tracks veer northeast beneath Lorraine Avenue and run parallel to Valley Road and Upper Mountain Avenue. The penultimate Montclair stop is Mountain Avenue, featuring two low platforms. Nearby stands an 1889 station building constructed by the New York & Greenwood Lake Railroad; this structure is currently leased by New Jersey Transit as a private residence. Its distinctive shape bears resemblance to Benson Street station on the former Boonton Line. Past Mountain Avenue, the line passes through Mountainside Park in Upper Montclair and crosses Mount Hebron Road.

Following Mount Hebron Road, the railway reaches Montclair Heights station, which serves as Montclair’s final stop. It includes low platforms along with a mini-high ADA accessible ramp. The original Erie Type V station dating back to 1905 was closed in 1959 due to financial considerations. Known as the "Home of Montclair State University," this stop lies at the southern border of the campus and functioned as a transfer point until the university opened its own dedicated station in 2004. After departing Montclair Heights, the line continues into Little Falls, New Jersey.

Montclair State University to Little Falls

At the southern boundary of Montclair State University, the Montclair-Boonton Line transitions from Montclair into Little Falls, running northward adjacent to Long Hill Road (Passaic County Route 631) through the university grounds. The line arrives at Montclair State University station, which serves as the final electrified stop before reaching Denville and acts as the primary interchange between electric and diesel trains for passengers heading west toward Dover or Hackettstown. This station is equipped with a spacious island platform and an on-campus parking structure accommodating 1,530 vehicles.

Shortly after departing the campus, the railway curves northwest, crosses Clove Road, passes by Great Notch Yard, and the location of the former Great Notch station. Situated in Little Falls’ Great Notch area, this station featured a single platform with limited amenities before its closure on January 17, 2010, due to insufficient ridership. Great Notch marked the terminus of the electrified catenary on this line and historically served as a connection point to the now-defunct Erie Caldwell Branch.

As the route continues southwest through Little Falls, it passes beneath Long Hill Road (CR 631) and Francisco Road (CR 612), then bends northwest to cross a bridge over the Peckman River. Entering downtown Little Falls alongside New Jersey Route 23, it reaches Little Falls station located on Union Boulevard (CR 646). This station retains its original 1915 brick depot utilized as a waiting area and provides parking for 194 vehicles. Beyond Little Falls, the tracks proceed northwest toward Singac—the former site of Singac Station—before crossing into Wayne.

Wayne Route 23 and Mountain View

After crossing County Route 631 in Singac, the railroad spans the Passaic River and enters Wayne, New Jersey. The line runs parallel to Route 23 near Willowbrook Mall and continues through the interchange connecting Route 23, U.S. Route 46, and Interstate 80. Passing under Interstate 80, the tracks follow Route 23 into Westbelt where they reach the second newest station on the line: the Wayne Route 23 Transit Center. Opened on January 12, 2008, this facility includes a high-level platform, an adjacent bus terminal, and parking for approximately 1,000 commuters.

Proceeding along Route 23 into downtown Wayne, the railway crosses Fayette Avenue Park and parallels the Pequannock River near the junction of U.S. Route 202 and Route 23. The line then arrives at Mountain View station, serving downtown Wayne with a single low-level platform. Originally constructed in 1910 as an Erie Type 4 design, it was replaced by a modest shelter by 1965. Historically important as part of the New York & Greenwood Lake extension toward Pequannock and for connections to the New York Susquehanna & Western Railway at Pompton Lakes and Wanaque, Mountain View currently sees twice-weekly operations by Norfolk Southern Local H-02 accessing the Totowa Industrial Spur. From this point onward, the Montclair-Boonton Line follows the alignment of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad's Boonton Branch.

Lincoln Park to Mountain Lakes

Heading west-northwest from Mountain View, the route reverts to the original Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Boonton Branch alignment, running alongside U.S. Route 202 through Wayne. After crossing the Pequannock River once more, it enters Lincoln Park, New Jersey and passes beneath Ryerson Road before arriving at Lincoln Park station. This stop is equipped with a low-level platform and features a Type W-103 station building erected in 1904.

The railway proceeds westward through Lincoln Park into Montville’s Towaco area, where it parallels and passes under U.S. Route 202 prior to reaching Towaco station. Constructed in 1911, Towaco is Montville’s only station and includes a single low platform serving one track.

Continuing further west, just before traversing Interstate 287, the line passes the location of the original Montville station, built in 1903. After crossing over Interstate 287, the tracks veer southwest along U.S. Route 202 and Interstate 287 near Taylortown before entering Boonton, New Jersey. Following a crossing at Wooton Street, trains stop at Boonton station. Originally established in 1905 as a substantial brick and slate structure—the largest community stop on this line after Paterson—the current facility has a shorter low platform accompanied by a brick shelter and an ADA-compliant ramp.

Departing Boonton, the line runs southeastward parallel to Interstate 287 and U.S. Route 202. After crossing the Rockaway River, it passes by the historic DL&W Freight House and West Boonton Yard, which houses The United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey, where restoration of vintage railcars and locomotives takes place.

The track continues southwest into Intervale as Interstate 287 and U.S. Route 202 split off to the southeast. At the intersection of Midvale Road and Elm Road lies Mountain Lakes station, which offers a single low-level platform for boarding. The nearby historic station building from 1912 currently functions as a restaurant.

Denville to Mount Arlington

Beyond Mountain Lakes station, the Montclair-Boonton Line advances west through Mountain Lakes, running adjacent to Pollard Road and crossing U.S. Route 46. It then follows Route 46 northwest through Rainbow Lakes, passes beneath Interstate 80, and intersects with the former Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Rockaway Branch (discontinued in 1948), before arriving at the north platform of Denville station. Denville accommodates two lines on separate platforms, including one for the Morristown Line that merges nearby. Although the original 1904 Type W-3 Delaware, Lackawanna and Western wooden station was demolished, the shell of Denville Tower remains in use as a communications hub for New Jersey Transit. West of Denville, electrified service resumes as the line crosses Estling Lake and Franklin Lake along Route 46 en route to Dover. Near Mountain Park lies Dover Yard with six storage tracks prior to reaching Dover station. Built between 1899 and 1901, Dover station preserves its historic Delaware, Lackawanna and Western structure; however, its original two side platforms have been replaced by a high-level island platform.

Just west of Dover station, the Morristown Line’s catenary system ends near the US Route 46 overpass. The tracks run parallel to Dickerson Street before turning northwest through Dover toward Morris Duffy School, then continue west into Wharton. The line crosses the site of the former Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Wharton station—constructed in 1900 as a Type W-101A building when Wharton was known as Port Oram—which ceased operations by 1962. Proceeding westward, the tracks cross Berkshire Valley Road (Morris County Route 699) and run alongside Interstate 80 until reaching Mount Arlington station near Interchange 30. Opened on January 21, 2008—shortly after Wayne-Route 23—Mount Arlington is the most recent addition to Montclair-Boonton Line stations. It features two high-level platforms serving two tracks and functions as a park-and-ride facility with bus connections from Lakeland Bus and offers 285 parking spaces.

Lake Hopatcong to Hackettstown

Following a path alongside Interstate 80 starting from Mount Arlington, the rail line shifts southwest before turning northeast through Landing, tracing Morris County Route 631 into the heart of Landing. It soon arrives at the Lake Hopatcong station, which consists of two low-level platforms and a shelter positioned on the westbound side. The original Delaware, Lackawanna and Western station, erected in 1911 to replace the initial Hopatcong stop, was notably larger, featuring two towers and extended concrete platforms. Shortly thereafter, the tracks pass beneath the Landing Masonry Bridge (Landing Road/CR 631) and continue westward toward Port Morris Junction. At this junction, the Montclair-Boonton Line veers southwest while the right-of-way extends west as the Lackawanna Cut-Off. Nearby lies Port Morris Yard, where the shell of the 1909 junction tower still stands.

Progressing southwest adjacent to Lake Musconetcong, the route enters Netcong. After crossing beneath New Jersey Route 183, it reaches downtown Netcong and its station. The brick station building, constructed in 1903 with bricks sourced from nearby Port Murray, sits alongside a single low platform. Historically, Netcong served as a junction for the former Sussex Branch of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, which ceased operations from Branchville in 1966.

Up until late 1994, Netcong was the line’s endpoint until improvements to the track allowed service to extend to Hackettstown via Norfolk Southern's Washington Secondary. The railway runs parallel to Interstate 80, U.S. Route 206, and Waterloo Valley Road before entering the International Trade Center area in Mount Olive. After crossing Waterloo Valley Road, it reaches Mount Olive station, which includes one low-level platform and a shelter. Some weekday trains begin or end at Mount Olive. This location is close to where the original Waterloo station stood—built in 1854 for the Sussex Railroad connection; that facility closed in 1939 and was replaced by a shelter that was destroyed by fire in 1946.

From Mount Olive, the line follows Waterloo Valley Road through Allamuchy State Park, passing by Saxton Lake, then continues westward through Stephens State Park. Upon entering Hackettstown, it passes a medical facility and a rail spur serving the Mars and M&Ms plant. The tracks cross both County Route 517 and U.S. Route 46. Running alongside Valentine Street, the line arrives at Hackettstown station, which features one low-level platform equipped with a mini-high ADA access ramp. The original Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Type W-2 frame station from 1868 was demolished during the late 1960s. Southward beyond Hackettstown, Norfolk Southern owns the trackage which is operated by the Dover and Delaware River Railroad as part of the Washington Secondary extending toward Phillipsburg.

Service

Weekday operations on the Montclair-Boonton Line run from 5:00 a.m. until 11:15 p.m. Trains traveling between Hackettstown and Denville continue onward to Hoboken utilizing the Morristown Line. Service frequency is tailored to commuter patterns, with a higher volume of inbound trains during morning hours and increased outbound trips in the afternoon and evening. Diesel locomotives operate on the non-electrified segment between Denville and Montclair, which restricts direct New York service for stations such as Mountain Lakes, Little Falls, Hackettstown, and Mount Arlington due to New York Penn Station's prohibition of diesel-powered trains. Electrified trains west of Montclair State University run through Denville and Dover stations via the Morristown Line. On weekends, approximately 9.5 round trips are scheduled between Hoboken and Bay Street at roughly two-hour intervals.

Electrification

The line was initially electrified in 1930 using 3 kV DC but underwent conversion in 1984 to a 25 kV 60 Hz AC system during the Morris & Essex Lines' re-electrification project. The Montclair Connection, completed in 2002 extending service to Great Notch, features hot-dip galvanized steel poles often coated in dark green for visual appeal, differing from the older dark red poles. The overhead catenary employs a uniform compound (3-wire) design without self-tensioning, consistent with the majority of Morris & Essex lines.

Electrical power is delivered from NJT's Meadows Substation on the Morristown mainline via a single autotransformer substation located at Montclair near Bay Street station, installed during the 1984 upgrade.

Rolling stock

A variety of rolling stock is utilized on Montclair-Boonton Line trains. Midtown Direct services are powered by ALP-46 or ALP-45DP locomotives paired with Multilevel or Comet II through V passenger cars. Diesel-operated trains serving Hackettstown and farther west employ F40PH and GP40PH-2 locomotives from NJ Transit or Metro-North, supplemented by PL42ACs, some ALP-45s, and Metro-North GP40FH-2 units, generally coupled with Comet V cars. Arrow III cars are confined to routes between Hoboken and Montclair State University (MSU), where ALP-46 locomotives are also commonly deployed.

Stations

Mountain Lakes ,New JerseyTemplate:Njts Mountain Lakes November10 ,1912 Denville ,New JerseyTemplate:Njts DenvilleTemplate:NJT acc 39.3 (63.2) July4 ,1848 NJ Transit Rail: Morristown Line
NJ Transit Bus:880 Dover ,New JerseyTemplate:Njts DoverTemplate:NJT acc 43.1 (69.4) July31 ,1848 NJ Transit Rail: Morristown Line
NJ Transit Bus:872 ,875 ,880

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Electrification terminus and transfer point between New York/Hoboken and Dover trains

Wharton ,New Jersey   
Wharton   
  
January6 ,1958   
  

Mount Arlington ,New Jersey    
Template:Njts Mount Arlington Template:NJT acc    

January16 ,1854

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January21 ,2008

November8 ,1942    

NJ Transit Rail: Morristown Line
Lakeland Bus:80

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Also known as Howard Boulevard Park and Ride

rowspan=2 Roxbury ,New Jersey    
Template:Njts Lake Hopatcong    

48.5 (78.1) 1882

NJ Transit Rail: Morristown Line
Lakeland Bus:80    

Port Morris Yard    
    
April24 ,1949    
Passenger service ended April24 ,1949 but site remained Lackawanna Cut-Off split    

Netcong ,New Jersey    
Template:Njts Netcong    

51.0 (82.1)

January16 ,1854    

NJ Transit Rail: Morristown Line

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Former western terminus originally Netcong–Stanhope

Mount Olive ,New Jersey    
Template:Njts Mount Olive Template:NJT acc    

52.7 (84.8)

January16 ,1854

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October31 ,1994 April24 ,1960

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NJ Transit Rail: Morristown Line

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Originally Waterloo

Hackettstown ,New Jersey    
Template:Njts Hackettstown Template:NJT acc    

60.0 (96.6)

January16 ,1854

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October31 ,1994 September30 ,1966

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NJ Transit Rail: Morristown Line

State	Zone	Location	Station	Miles (km)	Date opened	Date closed	Connections / notes
NY	1	Manhattan	Pennsylvania Station Template:NJT acc	0.0 (0.0)	1910		Amtrak long-distance and intercity services; Long Island Rail Road branches; NJ Transit Rail lines; New York City Subway and Bus; Academy Bus; Flixbus; Vamoose Bus
NJ		Secaucus	Secaucus Junction Template:NJT acc	3.5 (5.6)	December 15, 2003		NJ Transit Rail lines including Bergen County, Gladstone, Main, Meadowlands, Morristown, Northeast Corridor, Pascack Valley, Raritan Valley, North Jersey Coast; Metro-North Port Jervis Line; NJ Transit Bus routes
		Hoboken	Hoboken Terminal Template:NJT acc	–	1903		NJ Transit Rail lines; Metro-North Port Jervis Line; Hudson-Bergen Light Rail; PATH system; NJ Transit Bus; New York Waterway ferry
		Harrison	Template:Njts	7.1 (11.5)	1937	September 16, 1984
		Newark	Template:Njts Template:NJT acc	10.4 (16.7)	November 19, 1836		NJ Transit Rail Morristown and Gladstone lines; Newark Light Rail; NJ Transit Bus routes
	4
		East Orange	Template:Njts		December 18, 1855	September 16, 1984
			Template:Njts		April 24, 1893	April 7, 1991
		Bloomfield	Template:Njts		December 18, 1855		NJ Transit Bus route 94 Originally Doddtown station
			Template:Njts		December 18, 1855		NJ Transit Bus routes 11, 28, go28, 29, 34, 72, 92, 93, 94, 709
		Glen Ridge	Template:Njts		1860		NJ Transit Bus routes 11, 28, 29
	5	Montclair	Template:Njts Template:NJT acc		March 2, 1981		NJ Transit Bus routes 11, 28, 29 Weekend western terminus
			Template:Njts		January 1, 1873
			Template:Njts		January 1, 1873		NJ Transit Bus route 28
			Template:Njts		January 1, 1873		NJ Transit Bus routes 28 and 101
	6		Template:Njts		January 1, 1873		NJ Transit Bus route 28
			Template:Njts Template:NJT acc		January 1, 1873		NJ Transit Bus routes 28,191 ,705
		Little Falls, New Jersey#Montclair State University station at Little Falls(Montclair State University station) Template:NJT acc		October 20 ,2004		Montclair State University Shuttle Electrification terminus
			Great Notch		January ,1873	January ,2010	Former Caldwell Branch split
	Template:Njts			January ,1873		NJ Transit Bus routes11 ,191 ,704 ,705
	Template:Njts
	Wayne ,New Jersey	Wayne Route23 Transit Center Template:NJT acc		January12 ,2008		NJ Transit Bus routes194 ,198 ,324 ,748
		Mountain View–Wayne Template:NJT acc		January ,1873		NJ Transit Bus route871 Former New York & Greenwood Lake Railway split
	10	Lincoln Park ,New Jersey	Template:Njts		December14 ,1870		NJ Transit Bus route871 Lakeland Bus:46
	rowspan=2 Montville ,New Jersey	Template:Njts Towaco Template:NJT acc		December14 ,1870		NJ Transit Bus route871 Lakeland Bus:46
	Template:Njts Montville		December14 ,1870
	Boonton ,New Jersey	Template:Njts Boonton Template:NJT acc		September5 ,1867		NJ Transit Bus route871 Lakeland Bus:46

External links

• New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers Montclair-Boonton information