Happy New Year all,
Went up to NYC with nephew, whom had never been in NYC before. Neat time to be with him as he's a senior in HS aand I will not likely not get a chance like this again.
In terms of RRing did the following:
0921 NJT train to NYPenn from Hamilton. 8 or 10 Older MU's with a wheel with a flat spot directly under the floor where I was standing. Train was standing room only, stopped at New Brunswick, main (as opposed to Jersey Ave), Newark, Seacaucus Jct. and then onto NYC. Had to wait on stop signal at Secaucus as they had one tunnel shut down for trackwork so we moved along with about a 10 min delay. Some people rode in the vestibule all the way in.
MTA subway #1 local down to WTC and Ground Zero (my nephew is a firefighter and very much wanted to see WTC and Station 10 - a hallowed shrine for him, and me too!) Went all around there. Construction very much under way on WTC rebuild. Looks basically like a big construction sight now. Good to see this coming back. Tribute museum very moving..
Since we have a subway day pass, we took full advantage - took R train one stop to South Ferry, to possibly take boat to Statue of Libery. No go as they had too many people booked.
Next best thing and FREE - Staten Island Ferry - My nephew wanted to see Staten Island and I wanted to ride the SI Railway. Great way to see the harbor.
Took the SIR all the way to the south end at Totenville (pronouced "TAHT-enville"). For those of you who know imagine about 25 stops just like the Milburn stop on the Philly Market Frankford El. (the one before 69th street). Same sort of working class neighborhoods but with a touch of Jersey shore thrown in for good measure. The only time you pay is when you get on and off at the ferry terminal at the north end otherwise train is FREE! You can get on and off at any stop free. Trip took about 45 minutes one way.
Saw what appeared to be at least 4 spurs off the line. Coming out of the terminal there is a wye to the west for one stop to a ball park, and eventually to CSX northside freight line and then over to Arthur Kill lift bridge to Jersey, and then the main heading south. Mayor Bloomberg is pushing for passenger service to continue on the northside.
On the main it goes thru a short tunnel and then near street running for 2 stations. Neat modeling ideas there. No grade crossings the entire route.
About 3 or so stations down (can't remember which one now) is a yard (fenced in with high fence and razor wire!) with some ballast hoppers, caboose, and 2 what appear to be either old SW or Alco switchers.
Saw 2 more sidings off the main along the way but couldn't tell what sort of industries they serviced other than the main is fenced off again with high fencing and razor wire.
South End
Saw the remains of the old ferry terminal at the Totenville (just off the end of the platform) which went over to Amboy NJ just down the Arthur Kill about a mile or so. (Amboy has restored their old ferry terminal.) According to my research, the Ferry ran until '63 and then I suspect the opening of the Outerbridge Crossing bridge put an end to it.
The Staten Island RR reminds me of a laidback small time RR where everybody knows everybody. Throw in a bit of Sir Topham Hat and the Isle of Man RR from Thomas the Tank Engine and you get the idea.
Rode back to Manhatten, then ferry across, onto the #1 to Chambers, transferred to #3 express uptown to Times Square. What a nuthouse that was LAST night. (Only can imagine what is like NOW) Doing sound checks on the 2 stages there as well as LOTS and LOTS of people, so LOTS and LOTS of sensory overload. Phew!
Took Grand Central Shuttle over to Grand Central. Terminal looks fantastic as usual. Nice O guage layout in the tourist shop.
Back to Time Square. Always interested in the tunnels that go either way from the shuttle platform. The shuttle has 3 trains that run back and forth. At Grand Central on the east end one track disappears EB but who knows where. At Times Square 2 WB tracks look like they go around to the north to join the 7th Ave. line.
Took #2 back SB to Penn Station.
Caught NJT 1931 express to New Brunswick, with new double deck equipment. Sat in last car of 10 car train...sat is a relative term. I stood 'till New Brunswick (standing room only) then sat. Comfortable ride - my head brushed the ceiling n the way out (I'm nearly 6'5"). Now I can see where they made up for the clearance to fit 2 levels in these cars and still keep the level low enough to ride "under the wire".
Neat trip. Have some pictures via my or my nephews Cellphone, which I will post later but didn't want to be too obvious nor have my nice camera stolen either.
Charles Kadyk
1 comment:
Thanks for the excellent report Fiddler! Is the Staten Island line third rail or overhead? I was amazed to see the Norristown Line to be run by third rail and UNFENCED. Everything in Boston run via third rail is quite protected, no grade crossings, etc.
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