Central Headlight Back Issues

Back Issues 1985-2011A listing of available single back issues of the Central Headlight for purchase from the NYCSHS. Address all orders for back issues of Central Headlight to James C. Suhs, Secretary, 17038 Roosevelt Ave., Lockport, IL 60441-4734.

For issues less than two years old, 1-9 copies:

• $12 per copy to non-members.
• $10 per copy to members.

Bulk orders (10 or more copies):

• $8 per copy, members and non-members.

For issues two or more years old, all quantities:

• $8 per copy, members and non-members.

All prices are postage paid.


1985 Vol. XV No. 3
- PT Tenders

1986 Vol. XVI No. 1
- An Incredible Test: Where Was It?

1986 Vol. XVI No. 3
- Sonoma Train Town's 3" Scale J-1b #5212
- Boston & Albany Milford Branch

1986 Vol. XVI No. 4
- The Hojack in Central New York

1987 Vol. XVII No. 3
- Empire Cars
- Waycars of the Michigan Central Railroad

1988. Vol. XVIII No. 2
- Niagaras
- West Side Freight Line

1988 Vol. XVIII No. 3
- The Making of a Legend, Part 1 (Niagaras)

1988 Vol. XVIII No. 4
- Corning, Ohio
- Interludes of Interest at SS 71
- Rail Stress Tests

1989 Vol. XIX No. 2
- Chicago, Kalamazoo & Saginaw Ry.
- Central Moved the U.S. Mail

1989 Vol. XIX No. 3
- Afloat on the Great Lakes
- NYC F-12 Ten-Wheelers

1989 Vol. XIX No. 4
- Michigan Central Railroad
- The Kellog Branch

1990 Vol. XX No. 1
- Gravity Switching on the Eve of Merger: Part 1

1990 Vol. XX No. 3
- The Fort Wayne Branch Circa 1918

1990 Vol. XX No. 4
- Gravity Switching on the Eve of Merger: Part 2

1991 Vol. XXI No. 1
- The Central and the Arts
- The Century Doesn’t Stop Here!

1991 Vol. XXI No. 3
- A Farewell to Steam
- Along the Canada Southern

1991 Vol. XXI No. 4
- Gravity Switching on the Eve of Merger: Part 4

1992 Vol. XXII No. 1
- Pacemaker Freight Service
- The Oil Burners on the Peoria & Eastern

1992 Vol. XXII No. 2
- Memories of Harmon
- Coil Steel Gondolas

1992 Vol. XXII No. 3
- Run of Super Hudson #5408
- More Wheels

1992 Vol. XXII No. 4
- Power Situation on the B&A: 1930-1951
- Sharon Yard: NYC to Conrail

1993 Vol. XXIII No. 1
- Surviving Steam Update

1993 Vol. XXIII No. 2
- The Great Steel Fleet: 1946-1968

1993 Vol. XXIII No. 3
- The Fabulous 5500

1993 Vol. XXIII No. 4
- Dean of NYC Agents
- Ohio Central Division

1994 Vol. XXIV No. 1
- Corporate History of the Big Four

1994 Vol. XXIV No. 2
- New York City Traffic, Putnam Division
- Big Four and Michigan Central cabooses
- Peoria & Eastern Locomotives

1994 Vol. XXIV No. 3
- Calling Out the Big Hook

1994 Vol. XXIV No. 4
- Early Super Power – B&A A-1

1995 Vol. XXV No. 1
- 1928 Track Plan and Scoop Test
- Englewood Yard and LS-1
- Lake Erie & Pittsburgh

1995 Vol. XXV No. 2
- Punch Brothers, Punch with Care

1995 Vol. XXV No. 3
- NYC at Woodlawn
- NYC Today: The U&D
- Lake Erie & Pittsburgh

1995 Vol. XXV No. 4
- Big Four Engineman

1996 Vol. XXVI No. 1
- Hudson, Michigan station
- Putnam Division photos

1996 Vol. XXVI No. 2
- There is Danger in the Tunnel

1996 Vol. XXVI No. 3
- Three-Cylinder NYC Locomotives

1996 Vol. XXVI No. 4
- Photographs from the NYC Files

1997 Vol. XXVII No. 1
- Several True Tales of the Central’s Rails

1997 Vol XXVII No. 2
- Speed! Explosion of 7408

1997 Vol. XXVII No. 3
- Photographs from the NYC Files

1997 Vol. XXVII No. 4
- Buffalo Central Terminal

1998 Vol. XXVIII No. 1
- More Photographs from the NYC Files

1998 Vol. XXVIII No. 2
- MDT Refrigerator Cars

1998 Vol. XXVII No. 3
- Edward L. May
- Coasting into Grand Central

1998 Vol. XXVII No. 4
- Grand Central, Lake Shore Limited
- WWII Oil Trains

1999 Vol. XXIX No. 1
- Broken Rails
- Railroad Experiences

1999 Vol. XXIX No. 2
- DeWitt Engine Terminal
- In the Baggage Car Ahead

1999 Vol. XXIX No. 3
- Railroad Experiences, Part 2
- Perishables to Amsterdam

1999 Vol. XXIX No. 4
- Further Photographs from the NYC Files

2000 Vol. XXX No. 1
- The Boston & Worcester and Western Railroads, 1847: Part 1

2000 Vol. XXX No. 2
- Beech Creek District

2000 Vol. XXX No. 3
- The Boston & Worcester and Western Railroads, 1847: Part 2

2000 Vol. XXX No. 4
- The Late Mohawks: Part 1

2001 Vol. XXXI No. 1
- 100 MPH in 1903
- NYC vs. Amtrak

2001 Vol. XXXI No. 2
- The Late Mohawks: Part 2

2001. Vol. XXXI No. 3
- NYC Lines Magazine: Part 1
- Boston & Albany Goes to War
- Ahead on Locomotive

2001 Vol. XXXI No. 4
- NYC Lines Magazine: Part 2
- Call Out
- Early Tender Classes

2002 Vol. XXXII No. 1
- NYC Lines Magazine: Part 3
- 20th Century Limited 100th Anniversary
- NYC 4600-4700 MU Cars

2002 Vol. XXXII No. 2
- NYC Lines Magazine: Part 4
- 753rd Railway Shop Battallion

2002 Vol. XXXII No. 3
- NYC Lines Magazine: Part 5
- What Might Have Been: 4-6-6-4
- Messengering DES-3s

2002 Vol. XXXII No. 4
- Automatic Train Stop on the NYC

2003 Vol. XXXIII No. 1
- NYC Lines Magazine: Part 6
- 999 Plaque Dedication

2003 Vol. XXXIII No. 2
- NYC Lines Magazine: Part 7
- Jamestown & Franklin Railroad

2003 Vol. XXXIII No. 3
- Tribute to Grand Central Terminal

2003 Vol. XXXIII No. 4
- CB&Q 30 on NYC

2004 Vol. XXXIV No. 1
- Memories of the NYC in Northern New York
- Photos from the NYC Collection

2004 Vol. XXXIV No. 2
- Young Lion of the West

2004 Vol. XXXIV No. 3
- St. Lawrence, Adirondack, Ontario and Ottawa Divisions

2004 Vol. XXXIV No. 4
- Electrification of Suburban Zone: New York City

2005 Vol. XXXV No. 1
- Gulf Curve Reconstruction
- Largest Sleeper Consist
- Photos from the NYC Collection

2005 Vol. XXXV No. 2
- Electrification of the Suburban Zone: New York City; Discussion

2005 Vol. XXXV No. 3
- Timetable No. 37: 1890

2005 Vol. XXXV No. 4
- Boater Battles Central
- Last Open Section Car
- Larger Scale

2006 Vol. XXXVI No. 1
- My Railroad Career: K.L. Reed
- The Motive Power Situation: 1951

2006 Vol. XXXVI No. 2
- The Cleveland Limited
- The Milk Business: St. Lawrence Division

2006 Vol. XXXVI No. 3
- NYC Sleeping Car Service
- NYC Lines Magazine: Part 8

2006 Vol. XXXVI No. 4
- Forty Years of Motive Power Progress

2007 Vol. XXXVII No1.
- The Story of the Empire State Express

2007 Vol. XXXVII No. 2
- The Beauty Queens, Pt. 1 (Early EMD E7’s)

2007 Vol. XXXVII No. 3
- Steam Locomotive Number Plates Carrying the New York Central Oval

2008 Vol. XXXVIII No. 1
- Charles A. Erler – Portrait of a Railroad Man

2008 Vol. XXXVIII No. 2
- The First Trip of the Empire State Express

2008 Vol. XXXVIII No. 3
- Robert R. Young Takes Aim at New York Central, Pt. 1


2009 Vol. XXXIX No. 1
- Commuting on the Harlem Division

2009 Vol. XXXIX No. 2
- Buffalo Central Terminal

2009 Vol. XXXIX No. 3
- Papa John (John W. Barriger)

2009 Vol. XXXIX No. 4
- The GE Rider, Pt. 1 (Delivery of three new U25B locomotives)

2010 Vol. XL No. 1
- Maurice E. Lewman, Railroader

2010 Vol. XL No. 2
- Dining Aboard the Postwar Great Steel Fleet

2010 Vol. XL No. 3
- New York Central in 1950 Railroad Industry

2010 Vol. XL No. 4
- The Boston & Albany Railroad Stations of Henery Hobson Richardson

2011 Vol. XLI No 1
- Pennsylvania Division Operations at the Close of the Steam Era; Tales of 466, Pt. 1

2011 Vol. XLI No. 2
- NYC Marine Operations in New York Harbor, Parts 1 and 2; Bringing the Mohawk Home; Tales of 466, Part 2

2011 Vol. XLI No. 3
- Railroading on the Harlem Division with Engineer Robert B. Palmer; Hudson Division Cab Ride; Tales of 466, Part 3

2011 Vol. XLI No. 4
- Steam's Winter Glory; NYC Marine Operations in New York Harbor Part 3; Charlie Hogan Broadcast

--Updated July 16, 2012, Otto M. Vondrak

Our Friendly Finger Lakes Railway Crew

Thanks and kudos go out to the Finger Lakes Railway for hosting our all-day excursion over their former New York Central "Auburn Road" trackage between Canandaigua and Syracuse. The trip was certainly the highlight of the 2009 NYCSHS Annual Meeting. The fact that we rode in trains decorated in classic two-tone gray NYC-inspired paint was certainly a welcome detail! But people make all the difference, so a big thanks goes out to Deb Najarro and the train crew for a smooth ride throughout the day. The Finger Lakes Railway offers excursions throughout the summer tourist season, check out their website for more information.

Photos from the 2009 Annual Meeting

The former Lehigh Valley Railroad depot in Geneva, New York. Looks like the New York Central was not the only game in town!

The convention hotel was located along the shores of scenic Seneca Lake in Geneva, New York.

The NYCSHS officers discussed and resolved many issues during the Annual Meeting.

An eastbound CSX freight approaches Lyons, New York.

The eastbound Maple Leaf rolls past the tower/office at Lyons, New York.

Convention attendees line up to board our comfortable excursion train, operated by the Finger Lakes Railway.


The coaches are former Canadian National cars inherited by VIA and purchased by Finger Lakes Railway in the 1990s.

Convention attendees enjoy a photo runby at Shortsville, New York, on the former NYC Auburn Road. The former NYC freight house is home to the Lehigh Valley Railroad Museum.

Most FGLK power is painted in NYC colors, thanks to president Mike Smith.

FGLK's Deb Najarro made sure our trip ran smoothly.


NYCSHS Bill Strassner points to a display inside the depot at Martisco, New York, operated by the Central New York Chapter NRHS.

The authentic period depot interior at Martisco.

The Annual Meeting was capped off by a very enjoyable banquet program.

All photos by Bill Strassner.

Geneva 2009 a success!

Thanks to the Convention Comittee, with the help of our partnering organizations, our 2009 Annual Meeting in Geneva, New York was a huge success. Thanks to everyone who attended and supported the New York Central System Historical Society. A full report with photos will follow. Mark your calendars for 2010 in Dearborn, Michigan!

2009 Annual Meeting in Geneva, New York

2009 Annual Meeting - Geneva, New York
Posted April 15, 2009

Our original plan for an Upstate New York convention to be situated in Utica met with multiple obstacles regarding pricing, dates, and excursions. Board members Howard Fine and Hugh Guillaume have gratefully and quickly come up with a superb alternate plan to hold our convention in Geneva, NY, on the weekend of April 16 through 19, 2009. Geneva is located on the former Auburn Road branch, currently operated by Finger Lakes Railway. For complete Annual Meeting details and registration information, please click here.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES 17 APRIL 2009
Time 1:00pm - 4:00pm

1) Lehigh Valley Railroad Historical Society & Depot Museum
8 High Street, Shortsville, New York

2) Central New York Chapter NRHS: Martisco Depot Museum
Martisco Road, Marcellus, New York

3) Rochester Chapter NRHS: Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
282 Rush-Scottsville Road, Rush, New York

4) Central New York Model Railroad Club & Historical Society
4986 Jordan Road, Elbridge, New York

5) Finger Lakes Railway (release required - go directly to yard office)
68 Border City Road, Geneva, New York

6) Livonia Avon & Lakeville Railroad (release required -go directly to yard office)
5769 Sweeteners Boulevard, Lakeville, New York

7) New York Museum of Transportation
6393 east River Road, Rush NY

8) ex-NYC Roundhouse, Batavia
Off Evans Street, Batavia, NY

9) Visit local and nearby hobby shops

Lake City Hobbies 10:00am-5:00pm
501 Exchange Street
Geneva NY
315-781-6397 www.lakecityhobbies.com

Despatch Junction 10:00am-6:00pm
100 Station Road
East Rochester NY
585-385-5570 www.djunction.com

Central Hobby Supply 11:00am-6:00pm
102 Walter
Syracuse NY
315-437-6630 www.centralhobby.com

Empire Northern Models 10:00am-6:00pm
680 Ridge Road
Webster NY
585-670-0679 www.empirenorthern.com

Visit the NYCSHS blog for more details.

FRIDAY EVENING ACTIVITIES - 17 APRIL 2009
Time 7:00pm - 11;00pm (Ramada Inn - Geneva - Seneca Room)

1) Richard Palmer - The Auburn Road
(7:00pm-8:15pm)

2) George Vergamini - New York Central Depots in Ohio and Neighboring States
(8:15pm-9:30pm)

3) Victor Hand - The New York Central in the Hudson River Valley
(9:30pm-10:45pm)

SATURDAY ACTIVITIES - 18 APRIL 2009

1) Finger Lakes Railway Excursion
(8:00am-5:00pm) Please be prepared for all day trip. This ride will cover the former NYC Auburn Road, or as the railroad men called it, “The Old Road,” since it was the orginal NYC mainline. Trip will depart from Geneva at 8:00am, where we will travel by motorcoach to Canandaigua. We will board the train at Canandaigua and ride through to just outside Syacuse. Finger Lakes Railway will provide a snack car that will be stocked with light refreshments. The train will terminate opposite the New York Stat Fairgrounds, where you’ll have an opportunity to disembark and inspect the railroad equipment on display (maintained by Central New York Chapter NRHS). From the Fairgrounds, we will board buses for the return trip to Geneva, arriving in time for the Banquet.

2) Annual Banquet - Ramada Inn, Geneva
(6:00-7:30pm)

3) Keynote Speaker
(7:30pm)

4) Additional Presentations
(follows Keynote Speaker)

5) NYCSHS Annual Membership Meeting
(open to membership or registered Convention attendees) – follows speaker

SUNDAY ACTIVITIES - 19 APRIL 2009
Time 11:00am - 2:45pm (Ramada Inn - Geneva - Geneva Room)

Here is the lineup for Sunday presentations in the Geneva Room:

1) Bob Scheib - Corning Glass Mirror Shipment
(11:00am - 12:15pm)

2) John Dahl - Buffalo Central Terminal
(12:15pm - 1:30pm )

3) Dick Steinbrenner - Alco RS-27 and Flexi-Van Test Trips
(1:30pm - 2:45pm)

4) The Finger Lakes Model Railroad Club modular HO layout and the NYCSHS Model Contest will be in the Seneca Room - 10:00am - 3:00pm.

5) The NYCSHS Train Show will be in the Ballroom - 10:00am - 3:00pm

Registration Fee: NYCSHS Members (including family members and spouses) $95.00 for all activities, including Finger Lakes Railway excursion, Evening Banquet, and Train Show Admission. Non-members can register at $95.00 plus $35.00 extra. The extra fee covers membership in the Society for one year, including all rights and benefits, including a year of the Central Headlight. Late registration for NYCSHS members after March 1 is $110.00. Rooms are at the Ramada Lakefront in Geneva, NY. Rooms can be reserved at the special NYCSHS rate of $89.00, you must mention the NYCSHS Convention to get the rate. Early reservations are essential, only 70 rooms are reserved for us on a first come, first served basis. You are responsible for making your own reservations.

Alternate Lodging: Individuals interested in alternate lodging will have to make their own arrangements. Other hotels are available in Geneva, Canandaigua, Penn Yan, Waterloo, as well as Rochester and Syracuse.

Finger Lakes Railway Excursion: Ride will cover the former NYC Auburn Road, or as the railroad men called it, “The Old Road,” since it was the orginal NYC mainline. Trip will depart from Geneva at 8:00am, where we will travel by motorcoach to Canandaigua. We will board the train at Canandaigua and ride through to just outside Syacuse. Finger Lakes Railway will provide a snack car that will be stocked with light refreshments. The train will terminate opposite the New York Stat Fairgrounds, where you’ll have an opportunity to disembark and inspect the railroad equipment on display (maintained by Central New York Chapter NRHS). From the Fairgrounds, we will board buses for the return trip to Geneva, arriving in time for the Banquet. Visit the NYCSHS blog for more details.

—Hugh Guillaume
2009 NYCSHS Annual Meeting Committee

Two more museums open up for Friday convention visitors

New York Museum of Transportation and the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
Visitors travelling to Geneva for the 2009 NYCSHS Annual Meeting now have two more activities to consider on Friday afternoon. Then New York Museum of Transportation, 6393 east River Road, Rush NY, will be open on Friday, April 17, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Please drive around facility to rear door. The museum contains a collection of trolleys from a variety of eras and operators, as well as two operational ex-Philadelphia & Western steel interurbans. Also a variety of motor vehicles, including a fire truck, buses, and more. Large HO scale model railroad as well as an N scale representation of the Rochester Subway await you. The NYMT campus is just up the road from the Rochester & Gensee Valley Railroad Museum, which will also be open for tours. The R&GV has a variety of diesel locomotives on display, as well as various freight and passenger cars. Their restored 1909 Erie depot contains displays and artifacts as well. Of interest are two MDT reefers, a Despatch-built Penn Central transfer caboose, the ex-NYC stainless passenger fleet, a wooden NYC 19000-series caboose, and two ex-NYC flats. Both museum are well worth the visit, and a short detour off the New York State Thruway (take I-390 south to Route 251 West).

www.nymtmuseum.org
www.rgvrrm.org

WATCH FOR NEW BALLOT

Due to printer's error, the ballot that was recently mailed out to NYCSHS membership is considered null and void. Please watch your mailbox for a new ballot and candidates' statements. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Central Headlight - 2Q 2008

The Central Headlight for Second Quarter 2008 is about to be mailed out to all current members. Watch your mailboxes!

On the cover: Open-platform observation parlor cars Hudson River and Mohawk River, built by Pullman in 1925, were regulars on the Empire State Express before the train was streamlined in 1941. Mohawk River carried #51's markers at Utica, New York on May 10, 1940. Photo by Edward L. May, Edward L. May Memorial Collection.

CONVENTION UPDATE

Additional Friday Convention Activities

1) Special Open House - Genesee Valley Transportation Company
Former New York Central roundhouse in Batavia NY
1:00pm - 4:00pm, Friday only - 17 April 2009
Facility is located on the original NYC mainline in City of Batavia (not on the 50's-era bypass). Easy access from I-90, NY 5 and NY 33 (about an hour west of Geneva). All visitors must sign a release upon arrival at GVT property. Look over the original roundhouse, check out remains of the NYC greenhouse! Yes, NYC had a greenhouse! Talk to retired NYC employees, take pictures! Be careful!

Directions to GVT roundhouse in Batavia NY - open Friday, April 17, 1-4pm:

Turn south off Main Street/NY 5 onto Court. Court becomes Evans. Continue south on Evans to railroad. Before crossing tracks turn right/west into driveway. This leads to roundhouse area. If necessary cross tracks and turn right/west onto Mill. This also leads to roundhouse area. Look for signs posted by GVT.

2) New York Museum of Transportation and the
Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
New York Museum of Transportation, 6393 east River Road, Rush NY, will be open on Friday, April 17, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Please drive around facility to rear door. The museum contains a collection of trolleys from a variety of eras and operators, as well as two operational ex-Philadelphia & Western steel interurbans. Also a variety of motor vehicles, including a fire truck, buses, and more. Large HO scale model railroad as well as an N scale representation of the Rochester Subway await you. The NYMT campus is just up the road from the Rochester & Gensee Valley Railroad Museum, which will also be open for tours. The R&GV has a variety of diesel locomotives on display, as well as various freight and passenger cars. Their restored 1909 Erie depot contains displays and artifacts as well. Both are well worth the visit, and a short detour off the New York State Thruway (take I-390 south to Route 251 West).

www.nymtmuseum.org
www.rgvrrm.org

Friday Afternoon Activities
Time 1:00pm - 4:00pm

1) Lehigh Valley Railroad Historical Society & Depot Museum
8 High Street, Shortsville, New York

2) Central New York Chapter NRHS: Martisco Depot Museum
Martisco Road, Marcellus, New York

3) Rochester Chapter NRHS: Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
282 Rush-Scottsville Road, Rush, New York

4) Central New York Model Railroad Club & Historical Society
4986 Jordan Road, Elbridge, New York

5) Finger Lakes Railway (release required - go directly to yard office)
68 Border City Road, Geneva, New York

6) Livonia Avon & Lakeville Railroad (release required -go directly to yard office)
5769 Sweeteners Boulevard, Lakeville, New York

7) New York Museum of Transportation
6393 East River Road, Rush, New York

4) Visit local and nearby hobby shops -

Lake City Hobby Shop 10:00am-5:00pm
501 Exchange Street
Geneva NY
315-781-6397
www.lakecityhobbies.com

Despatch Junction 10:00am-6:00pm
100 Station Road
East Rochester NY
585-385-5570
www.djunction.com

Central Hobby Supply 11:00am-6:00pm
102 Walter
Syracuse NY
315-437-6630
www.centralhobby.com

Empire Northern Models 10:00am-6:00pm
680 Ridge Road
Webster NY
585-670-0679
www.empirenorthern.com

Friday Evening Activities

Here is the lineup for Sunday presentations in the Geneva Room:

11:00am - 12:15pm Bob Scheib - Corning Glass Mirror Shipment
12:15pm - 1:30pm John Dahl - Buffalo Central Terminal
1:30pm - 2:45pm Dick Steinbrenner - Alco RS-27 and Flexi-Van Test Trips

The Finger Lakes Model Railroad Club modular HO layout and the NYCSHS Model Contest will be in the Seneca Room - 10:00am - 3:00pm.

The NYCSHS Train Show will be in the Ballroom - 10:00am - 3:00pm. Admission is free.

See the Conventions page for full details. Thank you!

—Hugh T. Guillaume, Co-Chairman
2009 NYCSHS Convention