Albatross Yard is the largest switching yard on the Garden State Northern. The seven original double-ended tracks stretch about 20 feet long. In 1999, the Albatross Yard Extension was proposed and approved, and the new tracks were installed in time for the 2001 Open House. This project added two significantly longer stub-end tracks to the yard, switchable from the east end where our switching leads are located. Additionally, three more tracks were added to the Hidden Yard below.
Albatross Yard serves as the central operating hub of the GSN, featuring its own locomotive and car maintenance facilities. The outskirts of Albatross Yard are home to several large industries, including Spartech Polycom, a plastic pellet plant based on a similar facility in Newark, NJ, West Albatross Grain, O’Connell Lumber, Acme Roller Bearing, and the 10th Avenue Slaughterhouse. The Garden State Northern also receives coal for its steam locomotives and fuel for its diesels. Alderney Dairy, another sizable industry, is part of Albatross but is served by the Jersey City Terminal lead.
In 2024 restoration work on the yard commenced. Track balast was removed and replaced, yard lights were added to assist with night time operations and the industries near the slaughter house received a rework/
Historic Photos
Anthony’s original Virtual Tour photo of the east end of Albatross Yard shows the old intermodal facility.
By January 2004, the intermodal facility had been replaced by the 10th Avenue Slaughterhouse.
| WESTBOUND | GARDEN STATE NORTHERN Virtual Layout Tour Index | EASTBOUND |
| Pete’s Viaduct | Albatross Yard | Locomotive Facilities |