Repairs Nearly Done on Lone Suspended NJ Rail Line

NJ Transit says it should be able to start running test trains on the final commuter rail line still suspended after Hurricane Sandy.

The agency says repairs on the Gladstone branch of the Morris & Essex line will be completed by Friday, and that test trains are scheduled to run at that time.

The test trains are used to make sure all systems are operating properly and to remove rust build-up on the lines.

NJ Transit says it will provide an update on Friday about when commuter service will resume. Trains will run on a modified schedule.

Dozens of trees were knocked onto the tracks by the storm, and several overhead wire poles snapped.

The Gladstone branch serves towns in Somerset County including Far Hills, Basking Ridge and Bernardsville.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)