Rising from the Rails: The Dual Restoration of Waldwick Station & the Erie Tower

Waldwick, New Jersey, is a small town—just two square miles—but it looms large in railroad history.

For decades, two critical pieces of late 19th-century infrastructure sat rotting along the tracks. The Waldwick Station and the Erie Interlocking Tower were abandoned, vandalized, and seemingly destined for demolition. They were eyesores to some, but to preservationists, they were rare survivors of a bygone era.

Through meticulous restoration and community grit, both have been pulled back from the brink. Today, they stand as living museums, open to the public and telling the story of the “Golden Age” of rail travel.

The Waldwick Station: Saved from Stucco and Decay

Built in 1886 by the Erie Railroad, the Waldwick Station was the heart of the town. It served commuters and freight for nearly a century before being boarded up in 1977.

For the next 30 years, it was a ghost.

The building had no plumbing (it relied on semi-outdoor “privy” style toilets until the day it closed) and was heated only by potbelly stoves. By 2005, it was a ruin: gaping holes in the roof, rotting frames, and layers of graffiti.

That year, the Waldwick Community Alliance stepped in. They saw past the decay, recognizing the station as a pivotal piece of local heritage. In 2009, they secured a 25-year lease from NJ Transit, and the real work began.

The Restoration Process:

• The Unveiling: In 2011, volunteers stripped away the 20th-century stucco that had encased the building, revealing the original 1886 wood siding underneath.
• The Roof: The rotting roof was replaced with period-correct slate, and the chimney was rebuilt using historically accurate bricks.
• The Colors: A professional paint analysis determined the station’s original color scheme, which has been faithfully reproduced.
• The Interior: Phase II (2014) focused on the inside—installing new wood floors, lighting, and finally, a modern HVAC system.

Today, the station is a stunning museum. The ticket office looks ready for a station master, complete with the original c. 1890 Fairbanks’ Standard freight scale. The waiting room, once filled with shivering commuters, now houses artifacts from Waldwick’s veterans and changing local history exhibits. Even the old “privy” area has been reimagined as a narrow photo gallery.

The Erie Interlocking Tower: The “Air Traffic Control” of the Rails

Just down the tracks stands a structure that is even rarer: the 1890 Erie Interlocking Tower.

Built by the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad, this Queen Anne-style tower is the sole survivor of six such towers originally built. It operated until 1986, controlling the complex web of tracks and switches in what was once a bustling rail yard handling 100 trains a day.

Think of it as the air traffic control tower of the 19th century. Operators in the top level had a commanding view of the yard, pulling massive levers to switch tracks and signal engineers.

A messy job: When restoration began in 2002 (funded by a bequest from resident Robert Keeble), the tower was in such a toxic state that workers needed hazmat suits to clear out the decades of garbage and pigeon guano.

The Waldwick Historical Society led this 15-year, $200,000 restoration. Today, visitors can climb to the top, see the original lever mechanisms, and imagine the deafening noise of steam engines passing just feet below.

The Legend of Harvey Springstead

You can’t talk about Waldwick rail history without mentioning Harvey Springstead (1856–1933).

Springstead was the “rock star” of the Erie Railroad. An engineer known for his obsession with cleanliness, he maintained his engine in such pristine condition that he won every award the railroad offered.

In 1910, he became the first engineer in the company’s history to have his name painted in gold letters on the side of his cab. He lived just blocks away on Franklin Turnpike, parking his engine in the yard where he could keep a watchful eye on it from his home.

If You Visit

Both sites are located near each other, making for a perfect afternoon trip for railfans and history buffs.

The Waldwick Station (Waldwick Community Alliance)

• Location: 1 Hewson Avenue, Waldwick, NJ
• Status: The station serves as the Waldwick Museum of Local History. It hosts regular open houses and special events.
• Website: www.waldwickcommunityalliance.org

The Erie Interlocking Tower (Waldwick Historical Society)

• Location: 1 Bohnert Place, Waldwick, NJ (Best viewed/accessed from the station area or during tours).
• Status: Open on select Sundays and for special events.
• Website: www.waldwickhistory.org

Note: As volunteer-run sites, hours vary seasonally. Always check their websites or Facebook pages before traveling.

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