Shortly after sunset, a southbound NJ Transit train races through a gated crossing near Spring Lake, New Jersey. ISO 200, 24mm, f7.1, 30 seconds

Streaking across New Jersey's night

by Kevin R. Burkitt/photos by the author

Welcome to Photo Line! Kevin R. Burkitt is a Media Technician and Adjunct Instructor at Brookdale Community College, in Lincroft, New Jersey. Outside of work, Kevin is an avid photographer and railfan. The images in this collection are the first part of a self-initiated project titled Trains At Night: Long Branch to Bay Head, which explores the southern half of the New Jersey Transit North Jersey Coast Line (the former New York & Long Branch, formerly a joint operation between the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Jersey Central). Each photograph for this project focuses on a static object such as: a building, control point, bridge, or grade crossing. The movement of the train, coupled with the long-exposure time, creates a unique and different image every time. The only consistency with this project is that each image is captured as an NEF RAW file at an ISO of 250 or less. Join photographer Kevin Burkitt as we tour the NY&LB at night!

Blue Sky Streak

An early evening northbound New Jersey Transit train rushes past a control point near Spring Lake, New Jersey. ISO 200, 24mm, f16, 30 seconds

On The Approach

A northbound New Jersey Transit train crosses a girder bridge as it approaches the station in Elberon, New Jersey. ISO 200, 24mm, f11, 15 seconds

Towards Long Branch

A northbound NJ Transit train passes under an old concrete bridge just north of Elberron on its way to Long Branch. ISO 250, 20mm, f10, 25 seconds

Now Arriving

A southbound New Jersey Transit train glides to a stop at the Manasquan station on the North Jersey Coast Line. ISO 200, 20mm, f22, 4 seconds

Under The Bridge

A southbound New Jersey Transit train rushes over the Shark River Inlet into Belmar, New Jersey, on a warm summer evening. ISO 250, 20mm, f8, 30 seconds

Through The Fog

A northbound New Jersey Transit train crosses the Manasquan River into Brielle, New Jersey, on a foggy spring evening. ISO 200, 20mm, f11, 25 seconds

Passing of the Guard

A northbound NJT train races past the old Pennsylvania Railroad station in Sea Girt. The station was closed during the Conrail era in 1976. ISO 250, 20mm, f7.1, 25 seconds

Tracks of Fire

A northbound NJ Transit train passes under a pedestrian bridge near Deal on it's way to Elberon, leaving behind two trails of red from the passing marker lights on the rear of the train. ISO 200, 66mm, f13, 30 seconds

Racing Past

An early morning New Jersey Transit train passes a self-storage facility in Belmar on it’s way to south to Spring Lake along the North Jersey Coast Line. ISO 200, 26mm, f11, 25 seconds

Amtrak in the East

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