This Public Service bus #5479 was built in 1936. Two vintage buses of this model survive in collections of the Transportation Heritage Park. *Photo Courtesy of Bill McKelvey

Your editorial “A Shot in the Arm Proposal” in the June 11th issue got me excited.  A New Jersey Transportation Heritage Park would be a wonderful way to showcase the assets of our “City of History” while at the same time increasing tourism to Perth Amboy.  Visitors would discover our beautiful waterfront, marina areas, historic sites, restaurants and shops.

These are the goals our city is striving for with their Perth Amboy Bay City Transit District Strategy plan.  The focus would be to revitalize the area around the NJ Transit railroad station as well as upgrading the station itself.  It is already a hub served by local bus lines.  Visitors would be enticed to arrive by mass transit and not bring more vehicle congestion into our business district.

The Transportation Heritage Park could link the rail station with the waterfront park to the south by trolley and rail shuttles.  Authentic ride experiences could be provided in lovingly restored antique rail vehicles which once operated in our city and New Jersey.  The beauty of the rail shuttles would be that they could operate in parallel along the NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line, giving visitors an opportunity to observe operating heritage vehicles as well as NJ Transit trains; the bridge over the Raritan River with it’s swing span; passing Cornucopia Cruise Line vessels; commercial boats; and pleasure vessels.  It would be a desirable experience, like no other.

The Transportation Heritage people also have a significant fleet of vintage buses – several of which operated in Perth Amboy in the past.  It would be true living history to once again transport visitors from the train station down Smith Street to City Hall and the Marina areas in their restored buses.  This is done in New York City with historic buses operating on 42nd Street during the Holiday Season – why not in Perth Amboy?  A vintage trolley bus could provide a sightseeing loop tour linking the gems of the city’s historic district with the rail station.  It would educate and be fun – enjoyment attracts more visitors!  A rewarding experience also generates repeat visits, not to mention the spreading of satisfaction by word of mouth.

So, the Transportation Heritage Park would be a wonderful way of boosting the economic benefits of the proposed Transit Village.  Such a facility would aid in drawing visitors from the entire tri-state area.  The effect is called eco-tourism – the money spent or brought in by tourists.

The primary organization behind the museum effort is the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey, which has benefited immensely from millions of dollars of grants and donations since their founding in 1987.  They own exquisitely restored locomotives and cars which would be a major attraction to draw visitors to Perth Amboy.  Mark your calendars: September 21st will be the Annual Transportation Heritage Festival at the URHS Boonton, NJ location – drawing thousands of visitors.  Come and see for yourself!
Successful examples of transportation oriented tourist attractions can be found in Lowell, MA; Branford, CT; Scranton and Strassburg, PA; New Orleans, LA; Sacramento and San Francisco, CA; Union, IL; Tampa, FL; Baltimore, MD; and in many other locations.  The proposal is an opportunity to utilize a narrow strip of dormant land along the railroad tracks, undesirable for development, but uniquely located for an historic trolley and rail shuttle ride experience in conjunction with the Perth Amboy rail station revival.  The bottom line is that the leaders of Perth Amboy need to realize and be enthused by the benefits of inviting the Transportation Heritage Park to locate in our city.  Don’t miss the train.

– Tracy Jordan