Late in February LHRy submitted two nominations as part of our last ditch effort to publicize the need for Stabilization and Restoration of the Central RR of NJ Jersey City Terminal Train Shed. The first was our third and final submission to the eleven most endangered list of National Trust for Historic Preservation. The second was to the Most-At-Risk List of the National Railway Historical Society. The focus is to draw national attention to the Train Shed which is on the edge of being irreversibly lost.
New Interpretive Signboards
Twenty-six 3' x 4' color photo signboards have been placed on the perimeter fence which encloses the CRR of NJ Jersey City Terminal Train Shed. Two are vintage aerial views of the Terminal; four show Superstorm Sandy damage; and the balance show Park amenities. Estimate for the re-opening of the Terminal is the middle of 2015...
Train / Track Curtains
Liberty State Park is moving forward with the upgrading and replacement of the train / track announcement curtains on the concourse of the CRR of NJ Jersey City Terminal. We have shown consultants / contractors LWDMR Architects and Metal Man Restoration sample original curtains from the collections of Frank Reilly and Ralph Shelhamer. Selection and placement will be as per research by McKelvey and posted on the LHRy website.
Train Shed Nominations Submitted
Late in February LHRy submitted two nominations as part of our last ditch effort to publicize the need for Stabilization and Restoration of the Central RR of NJ Jersey City Terminal Train Shed. The first was our third and final submission to the eleven most endangered list of National Trust for Historic Preservation. The second was to the Most-At-Risk List of the National Railway Historical Society. The focus is to draw national attention to the Train Shed which is on the edge of being irreversibly lost.
Train Shed Funding Improbable Without Government Assistance
The results of the Funding Feasibility Study for the Central RR of NJ Jersey City Terminal Train Shed Stabilization and Restoration have been presented to NJ Parks officials. It concluded: 1. Since no leadership level financial support (private or public) was forthcoming, a capital campaign is not recommended presently. 2. The state or federal government would need to take the lead on the project, provide critical public funding and recruit leadership from the private sector, for the stabilization and restoration of the train shed to occur. The study was required by Parks, performed by Ruotolo Associates, and funded by Liberty Historic Railway.
LHRy moratorium on continued efforts at LSP
Liberty Historic Railway’s efforts to date have been aimed at providing historic trolley shuttle service in Liberty State Park to enhance park-user mobility, improve visitor access, and reduce motor vehicle traffic and parking demand, as well as to provide displays of heritage rail equipment under a restored Jersey Central Jersey City Terminal Train Shed. The directors of LHRy have decided that a moratorium on continued efforts to these ends is warranted. One exception is our third attempt to get the Train Shed listed on the 11 Most Endangered Structures list of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This decision was based on a number of reasons. As is well known, Liberty State Park sustained extensive damage from Hurricane Sandy in 2012, requiring that all officials responsible for this singular park dedicate maximum attention to repairing and remedying damage done to it. Also, while an expert independent study recently validated the trolley shuttle concept, one significant stakeholder group has declared its adamant opposition.
In the interest of the public and for the overall future vitality of Liberty State Park, LHRy will continue to call attention to the deplorable condition of the Train Shed as an integral part of the historic Jersey Central Terminal, which is the Park’s crown jewel. In the judgment of LHRy’s directors, it is unacceptable that the Terminal’s entire vast Train Shed area continues to be in danger of partial or complete collapse and thus completely off limits to the public. Past planning studies have concluded that the Train Shed, if restored, could be used for many and varied activities that could enhance the Park experience and make the Park an even better venue. However, a professional fund-raising feasibility study, paid for by LHRy, has concluded that raising the needed restoration funding through non-governmental sources will not be possible.
LHRy will continue to advocate for the preservation of historic rail transportation structures and equipment in New Jersey, including the use of those resources as an attractive and viable means of transport, education and public access.