New York Central System Historical Society, Inc.

NYCentral Modeler Q1 2012 is here!

2012-01-07T09:13:00.000-05:00

Larry Faulkner's scratchbuilt "CR" tower that once stood at Croton, New York, along the electrified Hudson Division. Photo by Larry Faulkner

The third issue of the NYCentral Modeler is available for download! This issue has articles from several new writers and a couple authors who have contributed to the NYCentral Modeler in previous issues. All of the articles feature topics about the New York Central System. This issue includes the final half of the interview with Tony Koester, editor of Kalmbach’s annual Model Railroad Planning and contributing editor to Model Railroader.

We are pleased to feature articles by several authors bringing you topics including "New York Central’s West Side Freight Line" with modules by Ron Pasisi; Jim Six’s "Recreating the New York Central Michigan Division Circa 1955;" another NYC tower article by Larry Faulkner; "Kitbashing HO NYC Steam Locomotives" by Tom Bailey; and all of the regular features of the magazine. This 61-page edition features many photos and the biographies of all of the authors. You will even see photos of some of our member’s layouts, important information about the Society, and more details on the 2012 NYCSHS Convention.

The issue includes the regular feature on NYCS models coming out currently and in the near future by associate editor Jim Benedict, who also writes a similar feature in the NYCSHS Central Headlight.

This edition promises to be a truly exciting third issue for what we hope to be a regular benefit to those of you who model the New York Central Railroad. Even if your layout is not a NYCS one, you will find items of interest for your own modeling. Our readers continue to provide us with very positive feedback on each issue. We believe that this issue continues the quality standard set by past issues. We hope to continue to receive positive feedback with this edition and also ask that you continue to send us interesting and outstanding articles in the future.

The NYCentral Modeler e-zine is for members of the NYCSHS and non-members who model in all scales. Check it out today and let us know what you think. Have a Happy New Year from all of us at the NYCSHS!

—Noel Widdifield, Editor
NYCentral Modeler

Recruiting Discount Offer

2011-12-29T17:33:00.000-05:00

One of the initiatives that the New York Central System Historical Society is introducing for 2012 is a discount for recruiting new members. We believe that this program will inspire members to talk about the NYCS and the Society to potential new members in order to obtain a discount on their own memberships. It is just one of several initiatives we will be introducing to increase membership in the Society.

This program offers a $10.00 discount to any member who signs up two new members during the 2012 membership year. The discount would apply to the 2013 membership fee of the member who recruited the required number of new members.

The new member’s membership form has been modified to include a line where new applicants can designate the name of the member who referred them. Current members can use this form when they recruit a new member. They should fill in that line on the form to be sure that they received credit for the referral.

We hope that this program will encourage members to seek out new members to join our exciting Society. The NYCSHS is dedicated to perpetuating the legacy of the New York Central System through the acquisition and preservation of all things related to the NYCS.

We will keep records of the names of members who sign up the new members and will apply the $10 discount to their membership for 2013.

Note: This program does not apply for members of the NYCSHS Board of Directors whose job it is to recruit for the Society as part of their regular duties.

—Noel Widdifield

4th Quarter 2011 edition of Central Headlight now available!

2011-10-27T14:11:00.003-04:00

The 4th Quarter 2011 issue of the Central Headlight is in the mail to all NYCSHS members in good standing. The lead is a short photo essay salute to the glory of steam in the winter. The main article is a continuation of Tom Flagg's study of New York Harbor operations, this part focusing on port facilities. Included is a great four-page, fold-out map of the entire harbor, as prepared by the NYC Engineering Department in 1921. Five additional short articles plus the usual columns fill out this exciting issue.

NYCSHS members get the current issue mailed to them each quarter! Not a member? Join today! Not sure if you want to become a member? Members and non-members can purchase back issues of the Central Headlight here.

Also available is the second edition of NYC Modeler, our e-magazine dedicated to model railroaders! You can download it FREE each quarter from our website.

Second edition of NYC Modeler available for download!

2011-10-17T13:56:00.003-04:00

A scene from Tom Gerbracht’s O scale New York Central layout. Photo by Tom Gerbracht

The second edition of the NYCentral Modeler is now available for download from our website FREE! This quarter’s issue is an international one with articles by authors and modelers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. It also features an interview with Tony Koester, editor of Kalmbach’s annual Model Railroad Planning and contributing editor to Model Railroader.

Articles include a feature on an O scale layout patterned after NYC's "Lines West," How to model a 3-bay panel side hopper, how to scratchbuild a 1930’s garage in G scale, lighting a basement layout, long with all of the regular features of the magazine.

Are you interested in joining the NYCSHS? Become a member of an exciting organization focused on preserving the history of the New York Central and advancing model railroading!

—Noel Widdifield, Editor

Information wanted

2011-10-05T09:13:00.004-04:00

The following eight locomotive builder’s plates, owned by the Society, were found to be missing from the Society’s storage facility on Friday, September 23, 2011. Any person having information concerning the whereabouts of any of these plates is urged to contact the Wickliffe, Ohio Police Department at 440-943-1234.

~~EMC s/n 2871, date 1945~~
~~EMD s/n A-155, date 1951~~
~~EMD s/n 18549, date 1953~~
~~EMD s/n 18576, date 1953~~
~~Fairbanks Morse s/n 21L299, date 1950~~
~~Alco-GE s/n 78335, date 1950~~
Alco-Schenectady 38771, date 1906, Brooks rebuild 1917
Alco-Schenectady 73800, date 1946

UPDATE: Six of the builder's plates have been discovered, but we are still looking for information on two items:

Alco-Schenectady 38771, date 1906, Brooks rebuild 1917
Alco-Schenectady 73800, date 1946

2012 NYCSHS Calendar

2011-09-19T14:08:00.003-04:00

The NYCSHS 2012 calendar is now available! Access to a wide variety of photograph collections enables the Society to again present an excellent selection of high quality images. On the front color cover, Class L-3a 4-8-2 #3014 is at the Bellefontaine, OH station in 1955.

The back color cover shows GE U-25B diesel unit #2521 at DeWitt Yard, Syracuse, NY. Calendar photographs include: Class L-4b 4-8-2 #3148, equipped with Timken roller-bearing rods, leaving Anderson, IN in 1955 (color); EMD FT diesel units #1601 and #2401 at Elkhart, IN; B&A Class A-1b 2-8-4 #1432 outside of home territory at Weehawken, NJ in 1947; Class J-3a 4-6-4 #5415 at Cold Spring, NY in 1951; Class H-10a 2-8-2 #2124 on a northbound oil train at Mt. Carmel, IL in 1943; GE 70-ton 350 hp diesel-electric locomotive at Auburn, NY in 1941; Class L-1b 4-8-2 #2555 on a westbound freight train at South Bend, IN in 1936; Class S-1a “Niagara” #6000 at the Englewood engine terminal, Chicago, IL in 1955; Class J-2c 4-6-4 #5467 (ex-B&A #612) at Harmon, NY in 1952; Class T-1b electric locomotive #1156 at Harmon, NY in 1936; A “Niagara” locomotive heads a westbound passenger train through Goshen, IN; Alco passenger units #4201 and #4301 on Train No. 65 at Harmon, NY in 1948; Indianapolis Union Railway F-M H12-44 units #19 and #20 at the I.U.Ry. engine facility in 1954 (color).

Darwin Simonaitis, Calendar Editor.

Calendars can be ordered from:

NYCSHS, Dept. W
17038 Roosevelt Ave.
Lockport, IL 60441-4734

The price is $11.00 each. Ohio residents please add 75 cents sales tax. Dealer inquiries are welcome.

Calendar Back Issues Available
The NYCSHS has a limited supply of previously issued calendars available for purchase. Quantities are limited, so please order soon to ensure we have your calendar in supply! The price is $5.00 each postage paid. Ohio residents must include $.29 sales tax. Please send your order to:

NYCSHS Calendar
Dept W
17038 Roosevelt Ave
Lockport IL 60441-4734

2011 Calendar :: 2010 Calendar :: 2009 Calendar :: 2005 Calendar

2003 Calendar :: 2002 Calendar :: 2001 Calendar :: 2000 Calendar

1999 Calendar :: 1998 Calendar :: 1990 Calendar :: 1989 Calendar

Enjoy our new magazine, NYC Modeler!

2011-08-01T16:34:00.003-04:00

New York Central FA 1005 leads a freight across the Annsville Creek Bridge near Peekskill, New York, on Brian Marotta's N scale layout. Photo by Brian Marotta

Our FREE "NYC Modeler" Magazine!

Please enjoy our free quarterly magazine, "NYC Modeler." Developed and edited by members and friends of the New York Central System Historical Society, we are providing this free resource for anyone interested in creating acurrate models of New York Central railroad equipment and structures. The magazine is only available as a PDF file, and you will need the free Acrobat Reader software to view it. Please send your questions and comments about "NYC Modeler" to editor Noel Widdifield .

3rd Quarter 2011 Central Headlight in the mail

2011-08-01T00:04:00.000-04:00

The 3rd Quarter 2011 issue of the Central Headlight is in the mail to all NYCSHS members in good standing. The cover story is about the career of Harlem Division engineer Bob Palmer (that's Bob on the cover). It is a large 40-page issue also featuring the third part of the popular "Tales of 466" article by Dave DeBoer; a photo spread on the 2011 annual meeting; and several shorts that will make good late summer reading.

NYCSHS members get the current issue mailed to them each quarter! Not a member? Join today! Not sure if you want to become a member? Members and non-members can purchase back issues of the Central Headlight here.

2012 Annual Meeting - Elkhart

2011-06-24T13:33:00.002-04:00

The NYCSHS is proud to announce the 2012 Annual Meeting will take place in the Elkhart area, hosted in nearby Middlebury, Indiana! More details will be posted on the official convention page shortly. We look forward to seeing you!

Surviving NYC Steam Locomotives

2011-06-16T10:40:00.000-04:00

The following enumeration of surviving New York Central Steam locomotives was printed in the pages of the Central New York Chapter, NRHS Green Block by Richard Palmer. The list is a bit longer than we had previously imagined, but sorry, still no Hudsons!

New York Central System

#6894	B-10w 0-6-0	Alco Pittsburgh 1912	Connorsville, IN, Whitewater Valley Railroad
#6721	B-11k 0-6-0	Alco Schenectady 1913	Utica, NY
#999	C-14a 4-4-0	West Albany 1893	Chicago, IL, Museum of Science & Industry
#2976	G-6k 2-8-0	Alco Brooks 1910	Fairview, OK
#5780	G-43a 2-8-0	Alco Brooks 1901	Chamberlain Lake, ME
#8085	I-80a 4-4-2	Alco Schenectady 1902	Dearborn, MI
#2933	L-2D 4-8-2	Alco Schenectady 1929	St Louis, MO, National Museum of Transportation
#3001	L-3A 4-8-2	Alco Schenectady 1940	Elkhart, IN

New York Central Subsidiary Roads

B&A	#39	4-4-0	Boston & Albany 1876	St Louis, MO, National Museum of Transportation
IHB	#15	4-6-0	Alco Schenectady 1897	Chamberlain Lake, ME
P&LE	#9153	F-102 4-6-0	Alco Schenectady 1896	Delson, QUE, Canadian Railway Museum
LE&W	#5541	H-6a 2-8-2	Baldwin Locomotive Works 1918	Beech Grove, IN, Indiana Transportation Museum
DSI	#5	0-4-0T	Vulcan 1923	Henrietta, NY (no public access)

New York Central Predecessor Roads

Dewitt Clinton	(replica)	0-4-0	West Point 1831	Dearborn MI
Pioneer	Utica & Schenectady #7	4-2-0	Baldwin 1837	Chicago IL

NYC Alco RS-3 8255 at Midland Railway, Kansas

2011-06-13T00:09:00.000-04:00

The Midland Railway operates excursion trains on a line originally constructed in 1867. Train rides feature an over-20-mile round trip from Baldwin City via "Norwood, Kansas" to Ottawa Junction, Kansas, traveling through scenic Eastern Kansas farmland and woods via vintage railway equipment. The Midland Railway is a completely volunteer-staffed, non-profit, common carrier railroad operated to preserve and display transportation history as an educational demonstration railroad. Of interest to New York Central fans is Alco RS-3 8255, which operates regularly on the line. Privately owed by Century Rail, this 1951 graduate of Schenectady never looked so good! Coincidentally, John Dziobko photographed the 8255 in service on the Harlem Division in 1966.

NYC caboose 19877 at Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum

2011-05-25T08:59:00.001-04:00

Built in 1921 (possibly 1918) by the New York Central's own Oswego shops in Oswego, this cupola caboose has a steel frame and a wood body. The original cost was estimated to be about $3,600.00. The car is 36 feet in length and was a very popular design on the NYC.

The caboose was used throughout the NYC system, but spent a good deal of its life working around the Rochester area. It is said to be one of the last wooden cabooses to be used on the NYC (later Penn Central) in 1972. The caboose was donated to the museum in December, 1986 after being sold in 1973 to a private individual who displayed the car in his yard. The caboose was brought in by truck to the museum complex in August 1987.

The caboose has been restored by members of the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum including the application of all new tongue and groove siding, new windows, and a complete interior and exterior repainting. Work continues. Currently the caboose needs to have its roof replaced and some additional wood work. Your support can help speed up the work on this historic car and return it to active service.

NYCSHS 2011 Annual Meeting, Adirondack Flyer

2011-05-11T19:26:00.000-04:00

Photos from the Adirondack Flyer, operated over the former New York Central Adirondack Division on Saturday April 30, 2011. The Utica-Thendara Adirondack Flyer was one of the great activities part of the NYCSHS 2011 Annual Meeting held in Albany, New York, April 29-May 1. See photos from Friday night activities here. Photos provided by Dick Barrett.

Adirondack Scenic Railroad representative Al Heywood, who made all the arrangements for the Adirondack Flyer. Photo taken inside Utica Station.

Boarding passengers at Utica.

Passengers enjoying first class accommodations.

Enjoying first class accommodations.

Al Heywood and Doug Preston narrating the history of the Adirondack Division during the trip to Thendara. Doug is the local railroad historian and President of the Utica & Mohawk Valley Chapter of the NRHS.

Al Gorney is in charge of diesel engine power on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad.

Passengers enjoyed their ride aboard a comfortable, air conditioned coach. At left is John Mech, NYCSHS Member of the Local Organizing Committee and created the two convention booklets.

Adirondack Scenic Railroad volunteer crew.

The old Forestport Station.

The station at Wood Gate has been restored to a year round residency.

Beautiful Adirondack scenery.

Enjoying the scenery from the open doors of the baggage car.

Arriving at Thendara station for lunch break.

John and Kathy Mech walking to the Picnic Pavilion at Thendara station.

Steve Brown NYCSHS carrying the box lunches to the Picnic Pavilion.

The engine performs its runaround move in preparation for return to Utica. Locomotive is borrowed from the Mohawk, Adirondack & Northern, an Alco C-425, built in 1964 for Erie Lackawanna as 2455 and later sold to BC Rail before coming to the Adirondacks.

NYCSHS members are eating their very good box lunches at the Picnic Pavilion at Thendara Station.

Boarding the train at Thendara for the return to Utica.

A brief stopover at the restored Remsen depot. The station is a recreation, as the original had been torn down years ago.

A brief stopover inside Remsen depot.

NYC caboose 19509 is on display at Remsen depot.

The end of our journey at Utica Union Station.30. At right center is Ernie Mann NYCSHS, Local Organizing Committee, Author of The Railroads of Rensselaer and a presenter at the convention.

NYC 6721 is on display at Utica Union Station.

From the pedestrian overpass, looking back along our train at Utica Union Station. Amtrak trains stop here, and CSX Chicago Line freights pass through here as well.

First Look at the NYCSHS 2011 Annual Meeting in Albany, New York

2011-05-11T18:45:00.000-04:00

Photos from the NYCSHS 2011 Annual Meeting in Albany, New York. The convention was help April 29-May 1, and featured many informative seminars and presentations, as well as a special all-day excursion over the Adirondack Scenic Railroad from Utica-Thendara (ex-NYC Adirondack Division). plus a railroadiana show, banquet, and fellowship between NYCSHS members! Photos provided by Dick Barrett.

NYCSHS Board Meeting in Albany. Clockwise from left, Darwin Simonaitis, Sheldon Lustig, Chuck Beargie, Howard Fine, Tom Gerbracht, Rich Stoving, and Paul Carver.

NYCSHS Board Meeting in Albany. Clockwise from left, Tom Gerbracht, Rich Stoving, Paul Carver, Jim Suhs, Bill Strassner, and Darwin Simonaitis.

NYCSHS Board Meeting in Albany. Webmaster Jeff Hands, and Secretary Jim Suhs.

Hugh Guillaume makes a point while Tom Gerbracht listens at the NYCSHS Board Meeting in Albany.

Vice President Bill Strassner, President Darwin Simonaitis, and Treasurer Sheldon Lustig at the NYCSHS Board Meeting in Albany.

Howard Fine, Tom Gerbracht, and Central Headlight editor Rich Stoving at the NYCSHS Board Meeting in Albany.

Friday evening registration at the hotel. Huge thanks to Nancy Stoving in the foreground and Kathy Barrett in the background for registering Convention Attendees.

Friday evening registration at the hotel. Rich Stoving's wife Nancy helped with check-ins and greeted attendees.

The Friday evening program consisted of four presentations. Historian Len Killian presented "Long Life and Slow Death of the NYC Station in Schenectady."

Historian Len Killian presented "Long Life and Slow Death of the NYC Station in Schenectady."

Rich Stoving, editor of the Central Headlight, presented "Publishing the Central Headlight."

NYCSHS Director Shel Lustig presented "My Career with the NYC, Penn Central, and Conrail"

NYCSHS Director Shel Lustig presented "My Career with the NYC, Penn Central, and Conrail."

Dick Steinbrenner presented "Alco Historical & Technical Society Future Plans and Goals."

An excellent HO scale diorama of the NYC 30th Street Branch, also known as the West Side Line or the High Line. Constructed by Ron Parisi, this excellent model has appeared in Model Railroader and Railroad Model Craftsman.

An excellent HO scale diorama of the NYC 30th Street Branch, also known as the West Side Line or the High Line. Built by Ron Parisi.

More to come... Ride the Adirondack Flyer...

Annual meeting, officer elections, 2nd Quarter 2011 Central Headlight in the mail

2011-05-02T23:03:00.001-04:00

Thanks to everyone who attended our 2011 Annual Meeting in Albany, New York, held this past weekend April 29-May 1. A full report with photos will follow in the next few days. During the weekend, the Society held elections for officers. Rich Stoving will assume the president's office for the coming term. There were no other changes to our slate of officers. On behalf of the Society, we thank Darwin Simonaitis for his service to the organization as president. Regular readers may recognize Rich Stoving as the editor of the Central Headlight, our quarterly magazine. Rest assured, Rich will continue in this role as well.

Speaking of which, The latest issue of the Central Headlight is in the mail and on its way to current NYCSHS members! In this issue, we take a look at New York Central marine operations in New York Harbor. Next, we learn how the 3001 Mohawk in Elkhart was "ransomed" from the Dallas Fairgrounds and brought back to Indiana. We continued our "Tales from 466" taking an insider's look at the events leading up to the Penn Central merger.

NYCSHS members get the current issue mailed to them each quarter! Not a member? Join today! Not sure if you want to become a member? Members and non-members can purchase back issues of the Central Headlight here.

2011 Annual Meeting - Albany, New York

2011-04-11T12:49:00.008-04:00

Get ready for our 2011 Annual Meeting in Albany, NY! April 29-May 1, 2011

Get ready for the 2011 Annual Meeting and Convention at the Albany Ramada Plaza Hotel in Albany, New York! A crossroads of the New York Central, featuring the Boston & Albany, as well as the the Hudson, River, and Mohawk Divisions! Albany was once home to large passenger terminals downtown and in nearby Troy. Come join us in this historic city as we celebrate the history and heritage of the New York Central System!

Friday, April 29

10:00am to 8:00pm - Convention Registration at the desk in the hotel lobby
2:00pm to 6:00pm - Tour of HO scale model railroads, incuding Vic Roman's New York Central Hudson Division from Albany to Tivoli; Jim Cesare's Rennselaer Engine Terminal to Amsterdam; and Henry Propst's Mohawk Division from Albany to Utica. Tour of O scale model railroads, including "Rocky's Rambling Railroad" by Harold "Rocky" Rockowitz; Fil Fillion's freelanced railroad; Don Klose's Bellevue & Schenectady Railroad, and Jim Policastro's Central New York Railroad. Directions to visit these layouts will be provided upon registration. Be sure to have your convention ID badge when visiting these layouts.

7:00pm to 9:00pm - Friday evening speakers program

TIME	LOCATION	SPEAKER, TOPIC
7:00pm	Conference Room	Rich Stoving, "Publishing the Central Headlight"
7:00pm	Ampitheatre	Len Kilian, "Long Life and Slow Death of the NYC Station in Schenectady"
8:00pm	Ampitheatre	Dick Steinbrenner, "Alco Historical & Technical Society Future Plans and Goals"
8:00pm	Conference Room	Shel Lustig, "My Career with the NYC, Penn Central, and Conrail"

Saturday, April 30

7:30 am to 5:45pm - "Adirondack Flyer" excursion on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. 104 mile round trip from Utica to Thendara, with box lunch. Board buses at hotel at 7:30am.
6:30pm - Annual NYCSHS Banquet, cash bar opens
7:00pm - Annual NYCSHS Banquet, dinner is served
7:45pm - Welcome by NYCSHS president Darwin Simonaitis, followed by brief remarks from NYCSHS officers.
8:00pm - Presentation by Thomas R. Gerbracht, NYCSHS, "Locomotive Building at Erie, PA."
9:00pm - Intermission - Coffee and tea served with dessert
9:15pm - NYCSHS Annal Membership Meeting
10:15pm - Meeting adjourns

Sunday, May 1

8:30am - Railroadiana Show vendor set up in the Ball Room
10:00am - Railroadiana Show and Sale opens to the public
10:15am - Catskill, Adirondack & Berkshire Railroad Club HO scale modular layout opens for display
11:00am - All-Day Speakers Program

TIME	LOCATION	SPEAKER, TOPIC
11:00am	Ampitheatre	Carl J. Liba , "New York Central Hudsons and Their Trains "
11:00am	Conference Room	Ernie Mann , "Railroads of Rennselaer"
12:00pm	Ampitheatre	Alan Bell , "Modeling the NYC at the Albany Gateway"
12:00pm	Conference Room	Darwin Simonaitis, "Locomotives of the New York Central System"
1:00pm	Ampitheatre	Michael Kudish, "Where Did the Tracks Go? The Adirondack and Catskill Lines"
1:00pm	Conference Room	Ron Parisi, "West Side Freight Line to High Line Park - Part 1"
2:00pm	Ampitheatre	Jim Shaughnessy, "Remembering the NYC at Troy and Albany"
2:00pm	Conference Room	Ron Parisi, "West Side Freight Line to High Line Park - Part 2"

3:00pm - Programs end. Thank you for attending!

Registration Fee:

- $154.00 before April 1, 2011

- $179.00 after April 1, 2011
- Non-members may register for $154.00 plus $39.00 extra to cover your one year membership in the New York Central System Historical Society, which provides all the rights and priveldges of membership, including four issues of the Central Headlight.

Convention Lodging

Albany Ramada Plaza Hotel -- You are responsible for making your own accomodation reservations. Rooms can be reserved at the special Convention rate of $89.00, but you must mention "NYCSHS" to get the rate. Early reservations are a must as only 80 rooms have been set aside on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the hotel directly at (518) 438-8431. Complimentary shuttle from Amtrak Albany-Rennselaer Station for hotel guests upon request.

Central Terminal Restoration Corp. releases Master Plan

2011-03-15T12:53:00.001-04:00

On Thursday, March 10th the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation unveiled its Master Plan (PDF file, 28 pages, 4.5 MB) for the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of Buffalo’s Central Terminal.

In order to fully understand what is involved in the revitalization of the Terminal, the master plan discusses infrastructure needs as well as opportunities for development. All of this adds up to the main goal of the CTRC which is to restore the building's integrity and significance in the region. The CTRC estimates that the cost of their plan if fully implemented will be approximately $75 million and take up to ten years to complete. In order to carry out the plan, the Corporation will be looking to a mix of private and public funds as well as foundation funding. The amount of money sought will depend on which parts of the plan are embarked upon first in the next fourteen months. —Buffalo Rising

Central Headlight Q 2011 is in the mail!

2011-02-09T10:09:00.000-05:00

The latest issue of the Central Headlight is in the mail and on its way to current NYCSHS members!

The cover photo was taken by NYCSHS member and former NYC employee Jeremy Taylor in the late 1940's at Himrods Junction, New York, on the Pennsylvania Division. Mohakws L-1c 2607 and L-2a 2756 have teamed up to highball a manifest freight southward for interchange with the Reading at Newberry Junction. The cover story, written by Tony Wagner and featuring eleven additional Pennsylvania Division photos, addresses operations on the Pennsylvania Division in the postwar era. The magazine will mail to members in mid-February.

Here's a quick recap of lead stories covered in the Central Headlight from 2007-2010. In first quarter 2007, we brought you the story of the the Empire State Express. We then took a look at New York Central's early EMD E7's in "The Beauty Queens" printed in second quarter 2007. Number board collectors would be interested to read about "Steam Locomotive Number Plates Carrying the New York Central Oval" in third quarter 2007. We closed out the year by heading up to the North Country with "Oil Burning Steam Locomotives in the Adirondacks."

The first issue of 2008 contained the story of Charles A. Erler in "Portrait of a Railroad Man." We remembered "The First Trip of the Empire State Express" in second quarter 2008. In third quarter 2008, we examined the tumultuous battle for control of the railroad when "Robert R. Young Takes Aim at New York Central." We wrapped up 2008 with an examination of "Rails West to Chicago."

Our first trip of 2009 took us "Commuting on the Harlem Division." The second leg of our trip took us to the other end of New York State with a visit to Buffalo Central Terminal. In third quarter 2009, we headed south to the P&LE and learned about its leader, "Papa John" (John W. Barriger). Tales from "The GE Rider" described the delivery of three new U25B locomotives to finish out 2009.

We started NYCSHS's 40th year with a profile of "Maurice E. Lewman, Railroader." Next, we satisfied our hunger by "Dining Aboard the Postwar Great Steel Fleet" in second quarter 2010. We put to rest the great debate by examining "New York Central in 1950 Railroad Industry" in third quarter 2010. We then took a trip to the Berkshires and beyond to examine "The Boston & Albany Railroad Stations of Henery Hobson Richardson" to close out 2010.

Thanks again to all of our contributors who have taken the time to share their knowledge and their archives with our members. Your efforts help preserve the history of the New York Central for future generations to enjoy and learn from. Did you miss an issue? Limited supplies of back issues are available for purchase. But you don't need to miss an issue, consider joining the NYCSHS today!

NYCSHS members get the current issue mailed to them each quarter! Not a member? Join today! Not sure if you want to become a member? Members and non-members can purchase back issues of the Central Headlight here.

NYCSHS at the Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show

2011-02-01T10:38:00.002-05:00

NYCSHS Central Headlight editor Rich Stoving was at Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show in Springfield, Massachusetts on January 29-30. This show is one of the largest gatherings of railroad enthusiasts in the northeast, taking up four large exhibition buildings at the Eastern States Exhibition fairgrounds. With more than 20,000 in attendance, the show is excellent exposure for the NYCSHS. The show is a major fundraiser for the ARS, which supports their grant program that in turn helps fund restoration and historical groups around the region! Rich was manning the NYCSHS table and met many enthusiastic members and also managed to sign up some new memberships as well! Speaking of which, we're all looking forward to the Annual Meeting in Albany this April, only a few months away... (Photo by Otto M. Vondrak)

NYC Mohawk to return to the rails?

2011-01-05T16:52:00.003-05:00

Elkhart is considering a proposal to refurbish a piece of its railroad history and put it back on the rails. The 70-year-old Mohawk steam engine that sits at the New York Railroad Museum once ran through the city. It is believed to be the last of its kind in existence. Two companies are interested in putting it back in service as an excursion train. Plans call for a $1 million renovation of the engine that would completed at no cost to the city. Once finished, it would be used for excursions around the Midwest, and Elkhart. The city would be paid a lease of $5,000 annually for 15 years. It would also receive a percentage of ticket sales.

“To make a good decision, we need all the information that we could possibly have. And we need to have it in writing," said Arvis Dawson with the mayor’s office. “Right now, as I've said, we are just in the infant stage. The mayor wants to gather all that information, hear from the public and then decide what’s going to be the best for the citizens.” After the 15-year lease is up, the train would be returned to Elkhart.

—WSBT

Central Headlight - 4Q 2010

2010-11-10T18:57:00.000-05:00

The latest issue of the Central Headlight is in the mail and on its way to current NYCSHS members!

The 4th Quarter 2010 issue of Central Headlight was scheduled for mailing to members yesterday. The cover is attached. The lead story is on the B&A's passenger stations designed by H. H. Richardson and his followers. The secondary article covers the construction of the Detroit River Tunnel in celebration of the centennial of the opening of the tunnel. In the offing for 2011 issues are articles on the Pennsylvania Division operations at the end of steam; Central's marine operations in New York Harbor; how L-3a 3001 came home to Elkhart; track rehabilitations in Tonawanda, NY; and the career of Harlem Division engineer Bob Palmer

NYCSHS members get the current issue mailed to them each quarter! Not a member? Join today! Not sure if you want to become a member? Members and non-members can purchase back issues of the Central Headlight here.

2011 NYCSHS Calendar

2010-09-22T13:36:00.001-04:00

The NYCSHS 2011 calendar is now available! Access to a wide variety of photograph collections enables the Society to again present an excellent selection of high quality images. On the front color cover, Class L-2c 4-8-2 #2803 heads a light engine move in Indianapolis, IN in 1955. The back cover shows the observation car end of the westbound JamesWhitcomb Riley passing through Greensburg, IN in 1955.

Calendars can be ordered from:

NYCSHS, Dept. E
17038 Roosevelt Ave.
Lockport, IL 60441-4734

The price is $11.00 each. Ohio residents please add 75 cents sales tax. Dealer inquiries are welcome.

EMD GP-7 #5712 and EMD SW-1 #8433 are idling at the Sandusky, OH yard in October 1967. Photo by James Semon.

LS&MS Class C-44 4-4-0 #4191 is shown at Zearing, IL, ca. 1910. The train is probably the 11AM run preparing to depart for Streator and Kankakee, IL and South Bend, IN. The locomotive was built by Pittsburgh Locomotive Works in November 1891 for the Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa Railway. Zearing was the western terminal for the II&I where it connected with the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy. #4191 was scrapped in 1915. Photo by Edgar Dunham. Collection of Dale Fiste.

Six GE U-25B diesel units, led by #2541, head a freight train through Hammond, IN in July 1965. Collection of William Raia.

Alco PA-1 #4201 heads the eastbound 20th Century Limited into Englewood Union Station, Chicago, IL, ca. 1955. Photo by Milt Nafus. Collection of Frank Fabian.

Class K-11e 4-6-2 #4547 is the motive power for a Harlem Division cement train at Katonah, NY on March 27, 1941. The cement may be for the construction of the nearby Croton Aqueduct. The Edward L. May Memorial Collection.

The date is June 15, 1938 and the 20th Century Limited is in Elkhart, IN on the first eastbound run with new streamlined equipment. Francis Herrmann, a student at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, traveled to Elkhart to take in the event. Three black-and white slides from that day were the only train photographs he ever took. Photos by Francis Herrmann. Collection of Darwin Simonaitis.

Train No. 337, The Northerner, has just arrived in Mackinaw City, MI on an overnight run from Detroit. The date is July 28, 1954. Motive power is Class L-4a 4-8-2 #3123. Photo by James Scribbins. Collection of William Raia.

Electric commuter trains operating out of New York City to Peekskill, NY were steam powered for the eight miles between Harmon and Peekskill. Electric M.U. cars are shown behind Class J-1d 4-6-4 #5308 at Oscawana, NY on August 12, 1947. The Edward L. May Memorial Collection.

Class S-1b “Niagara” #6024 heads Train No. 15, The Ohio State Limited, at Oscawana, NY on September 1, 1947. Collection of J. R. Quinn.

Class L-1c 4-8-2 #2635 is the rear-end helper on a northbound Williamsport, PA-Lyons, NY freight train south of Corning, NY in May 1950. #2635 would be retired later that month and sold for scrap in June. Photo by Ray Tobey. NYCSHS Collection.

Class L-3b 4-8-2 #3035 and Class L-4a #3110 double-head on Train NY-8 with 80 cars at Manitou, NY on July 9, 1949. The Edward L. May Memorial Collection.

EMD F-3 unit #1616 heads a westbound freight train through Battle Creek, MI in 1954. Photo by Jim Shaw.

Class J-3a “Hudson” #5423 on the eastbound Cincinnati Special makes a station stop at Shelbyville, IN. The year is 1955. Photo by Richard Baldwin.

The westbound James Whitcomb Riley passes through Greensburg, IN in 1955. Photo by Richard Baldwin.

Calendar Back Issues Available
The NYCSHS has a limited supply of previously issued calendars available for purchase. Quantities are limited, so please order soon to ensure we have your calendar in supply! The price is $5.00 each postage paid. Ohio residents must include $.29 sales tax. Please send your order to:

NYCSHS Calendar
Dept W
17038 Roosevelt Ave

Lockport IL 60441-4734

2009 Calendar :: 2005 Calendar :: 2003 Calendar

2002 Calendar :: 2001 Calendar :: 2000 Calendar :: 1999 Calendar

1998 Calendar :: 1990 Calendar :: 1989 Calendar

Central Headlight - 3Q 2010

2010-08-24T14:44:00.003-04:00

The latest issue of the Central Headlight is in the mail and on its way to current NYCSHS members!

We know that the New York Central System was a huge railroad operation, but just how large compared to the other major carriers? Former New York Central marketing manager and NYCSHS Sustaining Member Carl Liba tells us the results of his extensive research. You'll also read about a 1946 fan trip over the Tonawanda Branch (the "Peanut" line), a fast 80-mph cab ride in an aging J-1 Hudson, an interesting meeting between an F-7 and a truckload of applesauce, and a followup to a report in the 2Q 2008 edition regarding a 1954 collision of an L-3a Mohawk. This, and other great stories, information and photographs await the reader in the next Central Headlight!

NYCSHS members get the current issue mailed to them each quarter! Not a member? Join today! Not sure if you want to become a member? Members and non-members can purchase back issues of the Central Headlight here.

Photos from Dearborn 2010

2010-05-16T23:39:00.007-04:00

These photos from our successful Annual Meeting in Dearborn, Michigan come to us from NYCSHS Director and former President Thomas Gerbracht. A great time was had by all, thanks to Convention Director Richard Croy and all of his "behind the scenes" assistants. See you in Albany in 2011!

Forlorn Michigan Central Station in Detroit, abandoned since Amtrak vacated in 1988.

Convention Director Richard Croy put on a fine show...

NYCSHS President Darwin Simonaitis addressing the convention attendees.

Ralph Schiring, keynote speaker Jim McClellan, and NYCSHS Director and former President Tom Gerbracht at the Annual Meeting banquet

At the Annual Meeting banquet

NYCSHS Vice President Bill Strassner, with Directors Howard Fine and Charles Beargie

NYCSHS member Mike Hill with his "Mercury" poster and passenger car plaque

C&O "Allegheny" 1601 ensconced in the Henry Ford Museum.

NYCSHS member Mike Hill with fellow member Jeremy Taylor in the cab of C&O 1601.

Right alongside the C&O Allegheny is the DeWitt Clinton, one of the earliest passenger trains operated in the 1830s by New York Central ancestor Mohawk & Hudson Railroad.

A side-by-side comparison of the DeWitt Clinton to the Allegheny.

Central Headlight editor Rich Stoving

NYCSHS President Darwin Simonaitis

NYCSHS Director Paul Carver

NYCSHS Treasurer Sheldon Lustig

Central Headlight - 2Q 2010

2010-05-12T16:48:00.002-04:00

The latest issue of the Central Headlight is in the mail and on its way to current NYCSHS members!

The cover photo was taken at the Root Street Commissary, in Chicago, in 1951. An appropriate image, since the lead story is on NYC postwar dining service, authored by Geoff Dought. Secondary article is a piece by Tom Gerbracht on how he and others helped preserve U-25B NYC 2500, now on display at the Lake Shore Railway Historical Society in North East, Pennsylvania. The second part of Fred Furminger's article on Maurice Lewman rounds out the feature material.This, and other great stories, information and photographs await the reader in the next Central Headlight!

NYCSHS members get the current issue mailed to them each quarter! Not a member? Join today! Not sure if you want to become a member? Members and non-members can purchase back issues of the Central Headlight here.

Michigan Central Station - Seeking a Future for a Symbol of a Grander Past

2010-03-07T13:57:00.002-05:00

By SUSAN SAULNY, New York Times
Published: March 5, 2010

DETROIT -- The last train pulled away more than 20 years ago from Michigan Central Station, one of thousands of "see-through" buildings here, empty shells from more auspicious times. Many of the blighted buildings stay up simply because they are too expensive to tear down. Yet Michigan Central is in a class of its own. Some city officials consider it among the ugliest behemoths to pockmark Detroit and have ordered its demolition, but others see it as the industrial age's most gracious relic, a Beaux Arts gem turned gothic from neglect but steeped in haunting beauty.

Now Detroit has become embroiled in an urgent debate over how to save what is perhaps its most iconic ruin -- and in the process, some insist, give the demoralized city a much needed boost. "People compare it to Roman ruins," said Karen Nagher, the executive director of Preservation Wayne, an organization that seeks to protect architecture and neighborhoods around Detroit. "Some people just want it left alone. But I'd love to see that building with windows in and lights on again."

Read the rest of the article here.

Central Headlight - 1Q 2010

2010-02-16T09:43:00.002-05:00

The latest issue of the Central Headlight is in the mail and on its way to current NYCSHS members!

This issue's lead story is about career of the man pictured on L-3a 3001's pilot - veteran Big Four engineer Maurice Lewman. This issue also features the conclusion of Tom Gerbracht's article as he recalls his experiences as a rider on a delivery of General Electric locomotives to the New York Central in 1965. Also features is another one of Jim Stuart's recollections. This, and other great stories, information and photographs await the reader in the next Central Headlight!

It should be noted that thanks to the efforts of editor Rich Stoving and his volunteer assistants, the Central Headlight is now back "on the advertised!"

NYCSHS members get the current issue mailed to them each quarter! Not a member? Join today! Not sure if you want to become a member? Members and non-members can purchase back issues of the Central Headlight here.

East Rochester Despatch Shops - In Color

2010-02-09T00:18:00.002-05:00

The Rochester Chapter NRHS and its Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum have worked very hard to preserve the history of the Merchants Despatch Transportation East Rochester Despatch Car Shops in both artifacts and images. The R&GVRRM rosters two MDT reefer cars (one built in East Rochester) and one caboose built in East Rochester. They also have an exhibit on MDT and the Despatch Car Shops in one of their MDT reefer cars, MDT #14053. The exhibit features images and artifacts from MDT including the following photographs from the Rochester Chapter's collection taken in color from the roof in what we believe to be the late 1940s or very early 1950s. Have a better idea of when they were taken? Please contact them if you have details or information to share!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/sets/72157623368041768/

Central Headlight - 4Q 2009

2010-01-25T22:00:00.002-05:00

The latest issue of the Central Headlight is in the mail and on its way to current NYCSHS members!

The cover story is Part 1 of a two-part article that recalls the experience of NYCSHS Director Tom Gerbracht as a rider for General Electric during the January 1965 delivery of three new U25B locomotives to the New York Central. This, and other great stories, information and photographs await the reader in the next Central Headlight!

NYCSHS members get the current issue mailed to them each quarter! Not a member? Join today! Not sure if you want to become a member? Members and non-members can purchase back issues of the Central Headlight here.

NYC Photos from the collection of John Stewart

2010-01-15T15:03:00.000-05:00

John Stewart has assembled a collection of New York Central photos relating to stations and equipment on lines throughout western New York.

John's collection is not only limited to the New York Central, but other railroads of western New York and Pennsylvania. You can visit his collection of photos on Flickr.

Great historical images from Google and Life Magazine

2010-01-06T11:44:00.003-05:00

"Excellent photo of a New York Central passenger train with a streamlined locomotive leaving Chicago station, with city skyline in the background. - July 1948" ©Time Inc.

Google has teamed up with Life Magazine's archives to make their collection of historical images available on the web. There are many great color and black and white images from the New York Central Railroad in this collection. Follow this link to see some great examples, including images of Robert Young, Pier 7 at Weehawken, Grand Central Terminal and more!

Happy Holidays from NYCSHS

2009-12-23T16:25:00.002-05:00

Central Headlight - 3Q 2009

2009-11-23T13:56:00.004-05:00

The latest issue of the Central Headlight is in the mail and on its way to current NYCSHS members!

On the cover is a photo of Pittsburgh & Lake Erie K-6a 9249 leading Train #10, getting ready to depart Beaver Falls/New Brighton (PA) eastbound on June 23, 1946.

The lead story for the 3rd Quarter 2009 issue will be a tribute to John W. Barriger III, president of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie from 1956 to 1964. The issue will also include articles about the Catskill Mountain Branch (of which three operators provide tourist train service in the present day), the last move of the 999 over NYC rails, and the Ohio Blizzard of 1950. Two classic Howard Fogg P&LE postcards grace the rear cover.

The 4th Quarter issue, which should be out in early January, will include articles about NYC's U25B U-boats, the construction of the first T-motor, and kit-bashing an HO Canada Southern caboose.

NYCSHS members get the current issue mailed to them each quarter! Not a member? Join today! Not sure if you want to become a member? If you want to purchase back issues of the Central Headlight, click here.

Central Headlight - 2Q 2009

2009-10-27T09:48:00.002-04:00

The latest issue of the Central Headlight is in the mail and on its way to current NYCSHS members!

The cover story commemorates the 80th anniversary of the opening of Buffalo Central Terminal, featuring official construction photos. New York Central's beautiful Art Deco monument opened on the south side of Buffalo, New York just as America was hit hard by the effects of the stock market crash of 1929. When Amtrak left for good in 1979, the building was left derelict, with a lone Conrail dispatching office as tenant. Once Conrail consolidated its offices, the building went through a series of owners and vandalism took its toll. Fortunately, a new grassroots community organization is now fighting hard to clean up the terminal and find a responsible development partner to restore the grand structure to its former glory.

The Central Headlight is only available to members of the New York Central System Historical Society! Not a member? Join today!

2010 NYCSHS Calendar

2009-10-06T11:38:00.014-04:00

Sold Out!

Access to a wide variety of photograph collections enables the Society to again present an excellent selection of high quality images. On the front color cover, Class S-1b "Niagara" #6019 takes water from the track pan at Lydick, IN while heading the westbound Lake Shore Limited in 1953. The back cover shows the caboose of northbound Switch Run No. 151 at Brookville, IN in 1954. The Brookville station straddles the Whitewater Canal.

Inside calendar photographs include: Alco RS-3 #8291 at Harmon, NY in 1963 (color); Class L-4b "Mohawk" #3144, outfitted with Timken roller bearing rods, at Bellefontaine, OH in 1953; Class K-11d 4-6-2 #4521 on Train No. 2 near Saranac Inn, NY in 1940; Class S-1b "Niagara" #6016 on the Commodore Vanderbilt at Oscawana, NY in 1946; Class F-81d 4-6-0 #8235 at Niles, MI ca. 1910; Class H-5g 2-8-2 #1214 on a B&A local freight train at Middlefield, MA in 1947; Detroit River Tunnel Class R-1 electric locomotive #165 at Windsor, Ont. in 1951; Class J-3a "Hudson" #5424 near La Porte, IN in 1948; Three EMD F3 passenger diesel units, led by #3502, at Lafayette, IN in 1953; NYC's only two EMD F2 units, with #1605 up front, at Amsterdam, NY on an eastbound freight ca. 1947; Streamlined Class J-3a "Hudson" #5446 on an eastbound passenger train at Goshen, IN ca. 1940; EMD GP7 #5624 on a P&E passenger train at Danville, IL in 1953; Class L-4b #3132 in a tender-end view at Leota Street engine terminal, Indianapolis, IN in 1955 (color).

Calendar Back Issues Available
The NYCSHS has a limited supply of previously issued calendars available for purchase. Quantities are limited, so please order soon to ensure we have your calendar in supply! The price is $5.00 each postage paid. Ohio residents must include $.29 sales tax. Please send your order to:

NYCSHS Calendar
Dept W
17038 Roosevelt Ave
Lockport IL 60441-4734

2009 Calendar :: 2005 Calendar :: 2003 Calendar

2002 Calendar :: 2001 Calendar :: 2000 Calendar :: 1999 Calendar

1998 Calendar :: 1990 Calendar :: 1989 Calendar

Central Headlight - 1Q 2009

2009-08-26T11:19:00.002-04:00

The latest issue of the Central Headlight is in the mail and on its way to current NYCSHS members!

Humming eastward through Westchester County fall foliage in Scarsdale, New York, T-2b 269 was about nineteen miles west of Grand Central Terminal as it brought a four-car consist over the Bronx River in 1968, several months after the Penn Central merger. The 269 will soon be renumbered to PC 4669. Commuting on the Harlem Division is this issue's cover story. Photo by Dick Herbert.

The 10th Michigan Railroad History Conference - November 7, 2009

2009-08-11T13:12:00.002-04:00

For anyone interested in learning more about New York Central operations in Michigan, as well as other aspects of the Wolverine State's railroad history, don't miss the 10th Michigan Railroad History Conference. The Conference will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at the Cascade Manor House, Jackson, Michigan. The program includes ten historical presentations and two poster presentations. Lunch will be served. At the completion of the program, we will tour the former Michigan Central Jackson Shop buildings, and other historical sites.

Presentations:

"Detroit & Toledo Shore Line Railroad - Expressway for Industry" - Chuck Geletzke
"NYC, PC, Conrail & NS Dispatching on the Michigan Division 1958 - 2006" - Rahn Stokes
"Michigan Coal and the Rails that moved it". - Mike Delaney
"Lansing - Jackson Interurban Railway" - Norm Krentel
Keynote Presentation: "Runaway Research on the Michigan Central" - Nicholas Marsh
"The Spring Lake Iron Company, the Railroads and Charcoal Production in West Michigan" - Dave Kindem
"A Brief History of the Port Huron and Detroit Railroad" - Sandy Duffy
"A Day in the Life of the Michigan Central's Airline" - Mark Worrall
"Railroad Freight Car Manufacturing and Social Conflicts in Gilded Age Detroit" - Tom Klug
"Ann Arbor Railroad: Ann Arbor to Durand" - Henry Burger

During the luncheon:

Poster Session A: Gaylord Gill: "Deckerville Pere Marquette Depot Project"
Poster Session B: Dale Berry: "MichiganRailroads.com"

For a conference registration form and more information, please visit the Michigan Railroad History Conference web site.

New York Central models by Jim Six

2009-07-17T08:00:00.006-04:00

NYC U-class 0-8-0 7744 spots a coal hopper at the local dealer in New Paris, Indiana during the summer of 1955. New York Central enthusiast and modeler Jim Six wanted to share these photos from his HO scale Michigan District layout.

A Geep spots a 40-foot boxcar at an industry in New Paris, Indiana in 1955. This PS-1 boxcar is a Kadee model that Jim Six weathered then placed into service on his NYC Michigan District layout. Weathering was done with acrylic washes there were wiped with cotton swabs. An airbrush was used to weather the roof and underside of the model.

NYC F3 1630 and dual-service GP7 5758 lead a train north through New Paris, Indiana in June 1955. While the F-unit is painted in black, the Geep wears two-tone gray paint found on many similar locomotives in the mid-to-late 1950s. The F3 is an Athearn Genesis model that Jim Six detailed and weathered. The Geep is a Proto2000 model that Jim repainted, detailed and weathered. The scene was photographed on Jim's 44x12 HO scale NYC Michigan District.

The Athearn Genesis model makes a great subject for adding prototype detail specific to the New York Central F3. Jim also added a SoundTrax Tsunami DCC sound decoder and speakers. The model sounds as good as it looks.

Both the 1606 and 1630 are Athearn Genesis HO scale models. Jim Six took the factory painted models and added prototype specific detail, touched up the paint, then weathered the models with acrylic washes. The front pilot of the 1606 was removed and replaced with an InterMountain straight, so-called "passenger" pilot. The shroud doors were modeled in the open position.

Putnam Division photos from Malcolm Laughlin

2009-07-15T10:30:00.004-04:00

New York Central's Putnam Division ran from a connection with the Hudson Division in The Bronx to a connection with the Harlem Division at Brewster, New York. A little more than 50 miles end-to-end, the last passenger train over the line was in 1958. After a period of steady decline, the line was downgraded and abandoned until all service ended on the lower end in the late 1970s. Today, the line survives as a popular walking train through Westchester and Putnam counties. Malcolm Laughlin had the good fortune to attend a railfan trip over the Putnam Division in October 1954.

On the way to the special train, Malcolm photographed this meet at Dunwoodie station from the side of the Cross County Parkway. Note the rare round-roof coach as second car of southbound train. These Osgood-Bradley cars were found on the Putnam Division as well as the Boston & Albany.

Another view of the trains at Dunwoodie from the Cross County Parkway.

The fan trip special train rolls past for a photo run by.

It appears our railfan special has paused at Millwood, New York. The distinctive freight house was created from a discarded New York & Northern baggage car. The New York & Northern was later acquired by the New York Central and became the Putnam Division.

The Putnam Division was dieselized in 1951 with a fleet of distinctive Lima diesels. I hope that lady moves out of the guage soon!

A photo run-by was conducted near Kitchawan station, running the train over the bridge spanning the Croton Reservoir.

This bridge still stands today, carrying bicyclists and hikers only.

A regularly scheduled train (possibly Train 129) rolls through Yorktown Heights.

Possible Train 129 headed south from Yorktown Heights.

Baldwin diesels were also used on the Put, before being replaced by Alco road switchers.

Central Headlight - 4Q 2008

2009-07-10T12:11:00.004-04:00

The Central Headlight for Fourth Quarter 2008 is in the mail, thanks to the dedicated work of editor Rich Stoving and his contributing authors. The lead story for this issue is part one of a special multi-part article on the race between the Michigan Southern and the Michigan Central to be first into Chicago. Pictured on the cover is Train #1, the all-coach Pacemaker, was almost home in the winter of 1947-1948 as it entered the final tangent into LaSalle Street Station in Chicago. One of the two heavyweight lounge-observation cars rebuilt at Beech Grove in 1940 for Pacemaker service follows mostly new lightweight equipment. The train will feature all new equipment later in the year. Photo courtesy Jim Seacrest Collection.

Many great subjects will be explored in upcoming 2009 issues (subject to change). The lead story for First Quarter 2009 will be recollections of commuting on the Harlem Division. Following in Second Quarter 2009 will be a story on the construction of Buffalo Central Terminal. Third Quarter 2009 will be a biography of P&LE's John Barriger. Closing out 2009 will be a story about the delivery of the 2500-series GE U-boats. Contact editor Rich Stoving for more information.

The Central Headlight is promptly mailed to all NYCSHS members in good standing -- join today! Many Central Headlight back issues are available, please consult this list to see what we have in stock.

West Side Freight Line transformed into Urban Park

2009-06-10T14:25:00.005-04:00

The park, which currently extends as far north as West 20th Street, is conceived as a series of interwoven events, like chapters of a book. Approached from the south along Washington Street in the meatpacking district, its 30-foot-high steel deck, supported on big steel columns and sliced off brutally at one end, makes for a striking contrast with the green, leafy landscape atop it. A street-level entry plaza, paved in concrete, is tucked underneath, and a broad metal staircase, with sleek brushed stainless-steel handrails, leads up to the structures underbelly. Rusted Corten steel plates line the opening in the deck's floor, emphasizing the violence of the cut.

Read More: http://www.nytimes.com/

Hudson Division Photos from Jim Dwyer

2009-06-08T11:42:00.008-04:00

mThese great vintage snapshots were sent by Jim Dwyer, who asked that we share them on our web site. Thanks to Jim for sharing these great Hudson Division scenes with us from Westchester and the Bronx!

Northbound Passenger on the Putnam Division north of University Heights in the Bronx

Newly introduced EMD E7 diesels awaiting the arrival of a train from GCT at Harmon, NY.

Awaiting arrival of passenger train from Grand Central Terminal at Harmon, NY. This was the northern limit of the third-rail electric zone on the Hudson Division.

Northbound (timetable westbound) passenger trains leaving Harmon following engine change from electrics to steam and diesel.

A behemoth Mohawk with smoke deflectors being sanded at Harmon.

Southbound passenger train at Croton, NY. Engine will be changed to an electric at Harmon. This station has since been closed, but the station remains as a private business.

Central Headlight - 3Q 2008

2009-06-03T23:33:00.003-04:00

The Central Headlight for Third Quarter 2008 is in the mail, thanks to the dedicated work of editor Rich Stoving and his contributing authors. The lead story is part 1 of a two-part about Robert Young's fight for control of the New York Central. One of Robert Young's goals for the Central was the modernization and improvement of passenger services, evidenced by the photograph of the experimental Xplorer (nicknamed "Mickey Mouse" by crews) on the cover.

Looking forward, the lead story for Fourth Quarter 2008 is part 1 of another two-part article on the fight between the Michigan Central and the Michigan Southern to get to Chicago first.

The following is what is planned for 2009 issues, subject to change: Lead story for First Quarter 2009 will be recollections of commuting on the Harlem Division. Following in Second Quarter 2009 will be a story on the construction of Buffalo Central Terminal. Third Quarter 2009 will be a biography of P&LE's John Barriger. Closing out 2009 will be a storyabout the delivery of the 2500-series GE U-boats. Contact editor Rich Stoving for more information.

Many Central Headlight back issues are available, please consult this list to see what we have in stock.

The Toledo & Ohio Central

2009-05-18T21:15:00.002-04:00

The Toledo & Ohio Central comprised one of the more far-flung ends of the NYC system. The Atlantic & Lake Erie was chartered in 1869 to run from Toledo to Pomeroy on the Ohio River. This line was planning to access the coalfields of southeastern Ohio. Construction did not get very far when the line was reorganized and sold as the Ohio Central in 1878. The line to Pomeroy was opened by 1882. Looking to expand, the OC acquired the interests of the Allegheny & Northwestern and the Richmond & Allegheny. The A&N had a charter to cross the Ohio river and build towards Charleston, West Virginia, but no rails had been laid. The R&A ran between Clifton Forge and Richmond, Virginia. Combined as the Richmond, Allegheny & Ohio Central, the new company sought to connect the Ohio coalfields with the East. This was not to be, and the RA&OC entered receivership in 1883.

In 1885, the line was renamed Toldeo & Ohio Central. Carloadings were up, and the T&OC sought expansion once again. In 1892, the T&OC bought the Toldeo, Columbus & Cincinnati, giving the combined companies two routes between the Ohio River and Toledo. The former TC&C line ran between Toledo and Columbus via Kenton. The line enjoyed modest success, and by 1922 the T&OC was leased by the New York Central. In 1938, the T&OC was formally merged into the New York Central.

Lake Shore & Michigan Southern

2009-05-18T21:12:00.001-04:00

In 1837, the Michigan Southern was chartered to build a line across the Southern Tier of Michigan to the shore of Lake Michigan at New Buffalo. Construction got as far as Hillsdale, Michigan before the road was sold to private interests. The MS was combined with the Erie & Kalamazoo, and was extended west to meet the Northern Indiana Railroad. The line was opened from Monroe to South Bend in 1851, and reached Chicago by 1852. A joint Chicago terminal was opened with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific at LaSalle Street Station. In 1855, the MS, the E&K, and the NIR were combined as the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana. At the same time, a route from Elkhart to Toledo was completed.

East of Toledo, the issue of uncomon railroad gauges made expansion difficult. By 1853, the NYC controlled the Buffalo & State Line and the Erie & Northeast railroads. They were combined as the Buffalo & Erie in 1867. The Cleveland, Painesville & Ashtabula, also known as the "Lake Shore," opened between Erie and Cleveland in 1852. In 1869, the Lake Shore acquired the Cleveland & Toledo, and merged with the MS&NI to become the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern. Cornelius Vanderbilt acquired the line shortly after.

In 1914, the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad and the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, along with several smaller roads, were combined to form the New York Central Railroad.

Central Headlight Back Issues

2009-04-27T23:55:00.011-04:00

Back Issues 1983-2011
A 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

2007 Vol. XXXVIII No. 4
- NYC Oil Burning Steam Locomotives in the Adirondacks

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

2008 Vol. XXXVIII No. 4
- Rails West to Chicago, 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

2010 Vol. L No. 5
- Pennsylvania Division Operations at the End of the Steam Era

--Upated March 30, 2011, Otto M. Vondrak

Our Friendly Finger Lakes Railway Crew

2009-04-24T10:38:00.003-04:00

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

2009-04-21T10:58:00.007-04:00

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!

2009-04-20T11:44:00.003-04:00

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

2009-04-15T15:24:00.000-04:00

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

2009-04-14T11:36:00.004-04:00

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

2009-04-09T09:24:00.003-04:00

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

2009-04-06T22:04:00.005-04:00

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

2009-04-02T21:53:00.007-04:00

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

Harold Crouch, live steamer

2009-03-30T09:26:00.009-04:00

In July 2000, Tom Fedor of Thurmont, Maryland, visited the Finger Lakes Live Steamers in upstate Clyde, New York. He had the chance to meet Harold Crouch while he was busy steaming up his model of a New York Central K-3r Pacific. Harold enjoyed a 34-year career with the NYC, Penn Central, and Conrail, so he knew a thing or two about trains. "I wish I had a good story about Harold to share," Tom says, "Unfortunately, I only met him this one day the photographs were taken. He willingly gave his time to me, this complete stranger who hovered over his shoulder as he steamed up his locomotive." Tom was shooting slides this day, and took mutliple exposures as Harold worked. "I can't imaging how may shots I bracketed and flashes that were popped. Never once did he tire of my presence. I remember him as being very generous with his time. I'm grateful to him for letting me document his passion that day." What follows are some of Tom's photos from that day in 2000.

Harold Crouch lived in nearby Newark, New York. Here he is seen getting his NYC Pacific ready to steam up at the Finger Lakes Live Steamers in July 2000.

Crouch holding a Ball jar of genuine NYC steam cylinder oil he uses on his live steamer. Only fitting that a model NYC Pacific get real NYC oil!

The Pacific at speed! Seven year old David Randolph of Ohio is riding behind Crouch.

See more photos of Harold enjoying his hobby at: http://www.pbase.com/flls/h2c

According to information posted on the Finger Lakes Live Steamers web site, the funeral-mass service will be this Saturday, April4, 2009 at 10:00am at Holy Cross Church; 4492 Lake Ave, Rochester, NY 14612.

-Otto Vondrak, with thanks to Tom Fedor

Harold Crouch: 1920-2009

2009-03-29T18:53:00.005-04:00

Railroaders everywhere lost a great friend with the passing of Harold Crouch on Friday, March 27. Harold was a 1943 graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a veteran of the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II. After his time in the service, he hired on with the New York Central, where he had a long and successful career, utilizing his Mechanical Engineering talents, in a variety of very interesting assignments. Harold was an avid live-steamer, and built a one-inch scale model of a New York Central Niagara, and an inch-and-a-half scale model of a Pacific. After his retirement, he stayed very busy, consulting locomotive maintenance for shortlines all over the Northeast. He made countless road trips with George Hockaday, to help maintain and repair Alco locomotives.

More details will be passed on as they become available.

- Thanks to John Redden, Rochester Chapter NRHS

NYC GE 70-ton Switcher Saved

2009-03-27T14:36:00.002-04:00

In 1942 General Electric built eight 70 ton center cab diesel locomotives for the New York Central. Numbered 506-513, they were among the first 70 ton switchers built by GE. Originally intended to be used switching passenger cars in terminals, these locomotives proved to be geared too low for that service and were reassigned to other duties. Some were made into shop switchers while at least one other went to Despatch Shops as a shop switcher. The two locomotives, which started life as NYC 512 and 513, then SSX 40 and 41, finally wound up at Valley Mould as 6114A and 6114B. The 6114A was used primarily for switching scrap cars at the melt shop while 6114B was used as a general plant switcher and for moving bottle cars of molten iron from the melt shop to the foundry. In 1992 Valley Mould closed its doors and a year later the plant was reopened as Ellwood Engineered Castings. Both were originally painted black but 6114B received a coat of read paint in the late 1990s in an attempt to more easily distinguish the two locomotives.

In 2005 EEC realized that their two workhorses would not last forever (they had been in service for 62 years!) and decided to replace them with a pair of GE 80 ton locomotives. Ellwood Group approached the Tod Engine Foundation about preserving one of the locomotives as they recognized the historical significance of these locomotives. In December, 2008 Ellwood Engineered Castings donated the 6114B to the Tod Engine Foundation after both of the 80 tonners had been delivered and placed into service. 6114B will be moved to the Tod Engine Heritage Park where it will be exhibited with our growing collection of steel industry equipment.

Please visit the Tod Engine Foundation website for more details. Photo by Gary Stuebben from George Ellwood's Fallen Flags web site.

NYC Passenger Timetables of the 1960s: 2

2009-03-26T16:55:00.001-04:00

City skyscrapers and mountain scenes dominate the cover of the October 30, 1966 passenger timetable. The illustrations are generic enough to be suggestive of many scenes, none of which look like territory served by the Central. While the railroad was looking to cut costs, they spent money to change timetable designs with nearly every issue!

Dramatic illustrations accompany a system map on the inside of the October 30, 1966 timetable. Fresh on the heels of setting the American record for rail speed in July, the inside of this timetable touts the accomplishments of its technical research in providing better transportation solutions.

Yellow was the dominant color for the April 3, 1967 edition of the system timetable. A stylized route map was complimented by a playful illustration of a train traveling from countryside on the back cover to big city on the front cover. The use of bright yellow is very attention-getting.

The Central went for an all-blue look for its November 3, 1967 system passenger schedule, including the same stylized system map. Inside were dramatic passenger service cuts and "rationalizations" ordered by president Alfred Perlman as cost-savings measures. This would be the last timetable to carry the Twentieth Century Limited, which departed Grand Central Terminal for the last time on December 2.

The inside of the November 3, 1967 system passenger timetable featured an updated advertisement for "Sleepercoach" accommodations. "A private room by day... a bedroom by night... Sleepercoaches combine comfort and economy for your travel convenience."

"The beginning of the end..." The December 3, 1967 edition adopted a different cover design, using the same stylized map from earlier editions. Dramatic cuts in passenger service included the elimination of the flagship Twentieth Century Limited, as well as all other named passenger trains, with the odd exception of the James Whitcomb Riley.

Here is the last New York Central system timetable published, effective only five days before the Penn Central merger on February 1, 1968. The timetable shows three trains east, three trains west, and five each way between New York and Buffalo. The five trains to Buffalo were shown in December 1967, but without the "Empire Service" name. Huge passenger service reductions took place west of Buffalo.

See you in Geneva, April 17-19!

2009-03-25T11:21:00.003-04:00

Join us in Geneva for a fun weekend of New York Central history and fellowship with Society members. NYCSHS Members (including family members and spouses) $110.00 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. 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.

NYC Passenger Timetables of the 1960s: 1

2009-03-20T16:49:00.009-04:00

Through the 1960s, the New York Central was preparing for merger with its archrival Pennsylvania Railroad. In an attempt to be viewed as a more modern mode of transportation, the railroad experimented with many cover designs for its system timetable. Here is Form 1001, effective April 29, 1962. The illustration is an older style map that continues to wrap around to show the western part of the railroad.

Here is the portion of the April 29, 1962 timetable that wraps around. The top of the page contains an ad for New York Central's revolutionary containerized freight "Flexi-Van" service. Unfortunately, the railroad was about ten years too early for the containerized freight revolution.

The Central experimented with futuristic looking arrows, suggesting greater speed for an illustration of a passenger train pulled by two F-units. A drawing of a Sleepercoach (note the window arrangement) is clearly seen behind the locomotives. The October 25, 1964 edition also contained a full page ad for "Sleepercoach" travel.

Sleepercoaches made their first timetable appearance in late 1959. They were advertised in the inner folds of the timetable. At this time, the 20th Century Limited and the Commodore Vanderbilt were operating as a combined train known as Century/Commodore. Sleepercoaches were also operated on The New England States. They were configured as 24 single room/8 double room cars.

The New York 1964 World's Fair is the dominant theme for the April 25, 1965 timetable. The Pennsylvania Railroad had the direct route, though, thanks to its subsidiary Long Island Rail Road. By the mid-60s, the concept of the World's Fair was beginning to ring hollow with the public.

An illustration of speeding Slumbercoaches over a simplified New York Central map are the theme for October 31, 1965 edition. The purple and yellow colors were a departure from earlier somber colors. The new simplified system map would make many appearances both inside and outside the timetable in future editions.

Inside, the marketing department highlights the technical achievements of its research and development, proving that the Central is truly the "Road the the Future!"

2009 Annual Meeting - Friday Schedule

2009-03-06T19:38:00.005-05:00

FRIDAY 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

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)

For more details and Annual Meeting registration information, please click here.

—HTG

Vintage Hudson Division Photos

2009-03-03T23:10:00.007-05:00

A few photos from along the scenic Hudson Division from the mid-1960s, taken by Robert K. LaPorte, from a private collection. Supplied by Bill Strassner.

April 10, 1965, a New York Central train speeds northbound at Breakneck Ridge, splitting the masts at Milepost 55. Metro-North trains make limited stops here to pick up and drop off day hikers.

March 28, 1965, and eastbound freight with a dog's breakfast of Alco power rumbles past the station at Montrose, New York. The photographer's 1955 Chrysler Imperial is parked at the station! Metro-North closed this station, along with Montrose in 1995.

May 2, 1965, New York Central train #15 (pulling Flexi-Vans in the consist) pass the site of East Garrison tower (note the pipeline carriers still in place).

2009 Annual Meeting Update

2009-02-27T15:03:00.002-05:00

The 2009 NYCSHS Annual Meeting will take place April 17-19 in Geneva, New York, at the Ramada Lakefront hotel.

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

Stay tuned for further updates as they become available.

—Hugh Guillaume
2009 NYCSHS Annual Meeting Committee

2011 NYCSHS Convention - Albany, New York

2009-02-27T15:00:00.003-05:00

The 2011 NYCSHS Annual Meeting will be held in Albany, New York. Stay tuned for hotel and program information as it becomes available!

—H.T.G.

Central Headlight - Q1 2008

2009-02-17T13:45:00.004-05:00

Central Headlight Editor Rich Stoving has been working overtime to help our publications schedule catch up to the real world calendar. The issue for First Quarter 2008 is about to be mailed out to all current members. Watch your mailboxes!

On the cover: Standing tall at the age of 87 before the tall tower of Buffalo’s Central Terminal that is just a few years younger, retired New York Central engineer Charles A. Erler holds the builder’s plate of J-1b Hudson 5201, an engine that he fired several times. The story of Charlie’s great career as a railroad man begins on page 6. (Photo by Fred B. Furminger)

Central Headlight - Q4 2007

2009-01-21T11:37:00.003-05:00

Central Headlight Editor Rich Stoving has been working overtime to help our publications schedule catch up to the real world calendar. The issue for Fourth Quarter 2007 is about to be mailed out to all current members. The cover feature is "Pacifics and Mikes and Moguls, Oh My!" This feature chronicles the unique oil-burning steamers used on New York Central's lines in the Adirondack north woods country. Watch your mailboxes!

2009 Calendar Update

2008-12-09T20:02:00.009-05:00

The Society’s 2009 Calendar is now available. Our calendar is priced at $11.00 per copy, postpaid. Ohio residents must include 77 cents sales tax. Front cover image is the "Hoodlum" employee shuttle train powered by L-2c #2821 near Beech Grove Shops, 1954. Rear cover is the westbound James Whitcomb Riley with J-3a #5415 in the lead at Addyston, OH in 1955.

Calendar photographs include: Chicago Junction Railway Class B-61c 0-6-0 #201 in 1949; Class DEs-A diesel electric switching locomotive #1505 (previously battery powered) in New York City in 1935; Class S-1b 4-8-4 #6017 in Bellefontaine, OH in 1953: Cleveland Union Terminal Class P-1a electric unit #219 in 1947; Lima Class LRS-12as road-switcher diesel at Framingham, MA in 1951; Big Four Class Ij 4-4-2 #6949 at Cincinnati, OH in 1919; A westbound mail and express train passes through Ann Arbor, MI in 1948; Class K-14e 4-6-2 #4395 at Schenectady, NY in 1936; Class J-2a 4-6-4 #5457 at N. White Plains, NY in 1951; FM Class CPA-24-4 #4506 with an EMD F-3 B-unit leads the westbound Mercury through Battle Creek, MI in 1956; Class J-1d 4-6-4 #5372 on a westbound freight train at Welland, Ontario in 1951; Class NE-2g 2-6-6-2 #1947 and Class L-2d 4-8-2 #2988 in Bellefontaine, OH ca. 1936; NYC wood automobile boxcar S-234607.

Address all orders for the 2009 calendar to:

NYCSHS
Dept. E
17038 Roosevelt Ave.
Lockport, IL 60441-4734

Download the order form here (Free Adobe Acrobat Reader required). BACK ISSUES: Although our 2007 and 2008 calendars are sold out, calendars for many other previous years are still available; please inquire.

2006 Calendar :: 2005 Calendar :: 2004 Calendar :: 2003 Calendar

2002 Calendar :: 2001 Calendar :: 2000 Calendar :: 1999 Calendar

1998 Calendar :: 1990 Calendar :: 1989 Calendar

2010 NYCSHS Convention - Dearborn, Michigan

2008-12-08T09:53:00.000-05:00

The 2010 NYCSHS Annual Meeting will be held in Dearborn, Michigan, April 29 - May 2, 2010. Mark your calendar now, and stay tuned for hotel and program information!

—John D. Martin
2010 NYCSHS Annual Meeting Committee Chair
Assistant Editor, Central Headlight

2009 Convention Hotel Update

2008-11-30T20:04:00.002-05:00

A reminder to convention attendees that in order to get the Convention Rate advertised, reservations need to be made directly with the Geneva Lakefront Ramada. The phone number is (800) 990-0907 and you must mention the NYCSHS Convention. There is a wedding booked for the same weekend, so make your reservations early!

1946: Sleep Secrets of the Water Level Route

2008-11-28T23:25:00.004-05:00

Let's begin with you!

"Before retiring, you've had a delicious, leisurely meal in the dining car... enjoyed refreshments and a quiet game or chat in the club lounge... then read yourself to sleep by your handy bed light."

A bed to dream of (and on)

"In this roomy, six-foot plus bed, you float off to sleep on a deep rubber-foam mattress that puts Grandma's "feather puff" to shame!"

Click on the image to see a larger version of the advertisement.

1946: Passenger's Choice for the Coach of Tomorrow

2008-11-28T23:17:00.004-05:00

How New York Central's wartime travelers made post-war news!

"Fighters, service wives, business men... these were some of the wartime passengers New York Central asked to become its post-war plans committee. And how they responded! Thousands answered questionnaires telling what they wanted in future trains... choosing from newly developed ideas and from features no on latest Central coaches. The car visualized here reflects the choice of those passenger-planners. And now this wartime guidance is helping New York Central's designers and engineers plan new trains that will mean more jobs and finer travel in the years of peace ahead."

Click on the image to see a larger version of the advertisement.

2007 Annual Convention Photos

2008-11-25T16:32:00.003-05:00

The 2007 NYCSHS Annual Convention was held in Niagara Falls, New York, and featured an excursion on the Falls Road Railroad (former NYC Falls Road) as one of its activities. Here are some photos and artifacts provided by Bill Strassner.

A section of the NYC 1944 Public Timetable - covering the Falls Road.
Collection of Bill Strassner

Medina, New York on the Falls Road back when. Collection of Bill Strassner

A postcard view of the once gorgeous Lockport, NY station on the Falls Road. After some years of private commercial use, it suffered a fire that destroyed it. Current owners are pushing for rebuilding and restoration. Collection of Bill Strassner

A postcard view of Medina, NY station on the Falls Road, note train order semaphore type signals. Collection of Bill Strassner

The crowd in front of the Buffalo Central Terminal listening to the history and ongoing restoration work. Photo by Bill Strassner

Convention Guest Speaker and noted railroad author Rush Loving (The Men Who Loved Trains) adjusts his camera as we tour the Falls. After reading his book, I invited Rush to our convention where he hosted a fascinating round table discussion about Al Perlman and the NYC into PC into CR and beyond. Photo by Bill Strassner

Former NYC employee and well know character Larry Baggerly inspects a VERY large scale NYC caboose model in the Vendors Room. Photo by Bill Strassner

From the vendor room at the 2007 NYCSHS Convention, long time Members Allen Hilborn and Larry Baggerly bracket the NYC maps that Allen sells to benefit our Society. On the table is a true and rare collectors item, a cast NYC BREWSTER (NY?) station sign. Photo by Bill Strassner

Exceptional and informative Hickory Creek Steward John Sanders uses and explains the J C Deagan Chime, as used onboard railroad dining cars back when. Photo by Bill Strassner

2009 Convention: Finger Lakes Railway Excursion

2008-11-18T16:59:00.003-05:00

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.

2009 Convention and Hotel Activities

2008-11-18T16:43:00.001-05:00

Convention Registration at Hotel

Friday Evening 7:00-10:00pm
- Model Clinics (TBA)
- Speakers/Photo Presentations (TBA)

Saturday
- FGLK trip 8:00am-5:00pm
- Evening Banquet – 6:00-7:30pm
- Keynote Speaker (TBA) – 7:30pm
- Additional Presentations – follows keynote
- Annual Meeting of NYCSHS (open to membership or registered Convention attendees) – follows speaker

Sunday
- Model Train Show at Hotel - 9:00-1:00
- Speaker Presentations (TBA) – 10:00-2:00
- Model Contest Judging

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.

Please make your hotel reservations as early as possible to ensure your space! More information posted as it becomes available.

2009 Convention Schedule Update

2008-11-12T20:06:00.011-05:00

We are currently forming the tentative Convention Schedule for our 2009 Annual Meeting in Geneva, New York. As more details become available, such as confirmed speakers and presentations, we will post the information here. The Annual Meeting will be April 17-18-19. Schedule subject to change, please check back often.

Friday Afternoon: On-Your-Own Activities
Some admissions fees and preliminary permissions may apply.

1. Lehigh Valley Railroad Historical Society and Depot Museum
Shortsville NY

2. Central New York Chapter-NRHS: Martisco Depot Museum
Martisco NY

3. New York Museum of Transportation and the...

4. Rochester Chapter-NRHS: Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
Industry, NY

5. Central New York Model Railroad Club and Historical Society
Elbridge/Skaneateles Junction, NY

6. Finger Lakes Railway (permission pending)
Geneva NY

7. Livonia Avon & Lakeville Railroad (permission pending)
Lakeville NY

8. Lake City Hobby
Geneva, NY

9. Despatch Junction Hobbies
East Rochester, NY

10. Central Hobby Supply
Syracuse, NY

Central Headlight Mailed

2008-10-31T09:47:00.002-04:00

Editor Rich Stoving reports that the 2nd Quarter edition of the Central Headlight has been mailed. Since the untimely passing of former Editor Charles M. Smith, Rich Stoving has been working dilligently to return the Central Headlight to its normal production schedule.

2009 Convention Update

2008-10-29T13:44:00.002-04:00

Gentlemen:

The 2009 Annual Meeting Committee (Mssrs. Stoving, Fine and Guillaume) want you to know that the 2009 Annual Meeting will be held at the Ramada Lakefront Hotel in Geneva, New York, on 16/17/18/19 April 2009. A block of seventy rooms is being held on behalf of the NYCSHS. We recommend that you make your reservations soon. Call the Ramada at 315-789-0400.

The registration fee for the event will be $95 which will include your ticket for the trip on the Finger Lakes Railway (bus fare and box lunch also included) and your ticket to the Saturday evening buffet dinner. The room rate is $89/night plus tax. There will be only this $95 fee for the bundled event - no separate fees for each event.

The committee has also reserved the board room at the Ramada for our own board meetings on Thu, Fri and Sat plus two breakout rooms and one third of the ballroom on Sunday for the vendors' room, for special programs and workshops and for a model contest. The annual meeting and keynote convention program will be held on Saturday evening after the buffet dinner. The FGLK trip will run on Saturday.

Thank you for your support.

--HTG

2009 Annual Convention - Geneva, New York

2008-10-23T09:56:00.004-04:00

Charles M. Smith

2008-10-23T09:56:00.001-04:00

It is with great sadness that we must report the untimely death, on October 4, 2008, of one of the Founding Fathers of the New York Central System Historical Society, Charles M. Smith. As its long-time president, Charlie was a pillar of the Society, and the loss of his friendship, counsel, and guidance will be felt by all. We express our sincere condolences to his wife and many friends. Contributions in Charlie’s memory may be sent to the Morris Animal Refuge, 1242 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147. A full obituary will appear in a forthcoming issue of the Central Headlight.

The Adirondack Division

2008-10-14T21:17:00.006-04:00

The history of the Adirondack Division began before New York Central's presence in the area. The narrow gauge Herkimer, Newport & Poland line had been built in 1882. William Seward Webb acquired this line, standard gauged it in 1891 and extended it to Remsen. He then set out to build a line northward through the Adirondack Mountains from Remsen to Malone. Construction was completed in record time and he began service in the fall of 1892 with through trains from Herkimer to Montreal. He included branch service from Lake Clear Junction to Saranac Lake.

In May, 1893, The New York Central took over Webb's line, then known as the Mohawk & Malone, operated it as their Adirondack Division, and changed the southern terminus from Herkimer to Utica. Mileposts, however, always tied to Herkimer, hence the "H" prefix on milepost references. The NYC soon extended its Saranac Lake branch though town to join the earlier built narrow gauge Delaware & Hudson and these two lines shared a new union station in Saranac Lake. From there, the dual-gauge Saranac and Lake Placid Railway soon opened so that NYC connecting trains from Lake Clear Junction ran through Saranac Lake to Lake Placid. The D&H standard-gauged their line in 1903 and dual gauge tracks were removed.

Several branch lines were added to the Adirondack Division over the years including one from Fulton Chain (now Thendara) to Old Forge, another from Clearwater (now Carter) to Raquette Lake, and several lines operated by forest products companies and loggers. Many of the latter were short lived. And the Adirondack Division interchanged with the New York & Ottawa at Faust (later Tupper Lake Junction). This line later became the NYC’s Ottawa Division.

With the explosive growth of Adirondack tourism, traffic grew rapidly on the Adirondack Division and by the 1920s there were ten passenger trains a day (five up and five down), and on Friday afternoons during the summer months a sleeper left Grand Central with through service to Lake Placid, often running in as many as five sections.

In 1940 a connection was created from a point about five miles north of Loon Lake to the adjacent D&H line. This enable D&H trains to run over NYC tracks to Lake Clear Junction and then on to Lake Placid. The D&H then abandoned their right of way from this new connection into Saranac Lake. When the D&H finally pulled out of the area in 1946 they sold their 10-mile right of way between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid to the New York Central.

Through passenger service from Utica to Montreal had ceased in 1953, however commuter runs from Malone to Montreal ran until 1958. The line from Utica to Adirondack Junction was largely intact until 1960, when the line was cut from Gabriels to Malone. In 1962 tracks were removed from Lake Clear Junction to Gabriels, and in 1983 from Malone to Canadian border. The NYC right of way from Lake Clear Junction north to Malone was closed and sold to Niagara Mohawk who uses it for power lines. Service on the Adirondack Division had begun to decline during the depression and by 1966 when passenger service ceased there was only one daily train each way.

The Adirondack Division passed to Penn Central control in 1968. The last regular freight service was in 1972. After a brief resurrection during the 1980 Olympics, the line lay in disrepair. A group of investors reopened the line in time for the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid and hoped to keep it running indefinitely after that but their efforts were not successful and operations lasted less than two years. In 1992 the Adirondack Scenic Railroad was organized and began operating summer tourist excursions trains between Thendara and Minnehaha. This operation became extremely popular and has expanded to several trains running out of Thendara, some north to Carter and some south as far as Otter Lake. The Adirondack Scenic Railroad hopes to eventually operate trains on the surviving portions of Adirondack Division track, from Remsen to Lake Placid.

—by Frank Carey

Map of the Adirondack Divisions

The Harlem Division

2008-10-14T21:06:00.004-04:00

The Harlem Division can trace its roots all the way back to the original New York & Harlem Rail Road. The line was chartered by the state legislation in 1831, to build a street railway on New York's Manhattan island from 14th Street to the village of Harlem at 129th Street, seven miles to the north. Construction began in 1832, with the blasting of a rock ridge at Murray Hill. By 1832, the NY&H ran from Astor House to 14th Street. By 1837, rails reached the village of Harlem.

An act of the New York State Legislature gave the railroad the power to expand into the Bronx, Westchester, and beyond. In 1842, the line jumped across the Harlem River to reach Williams Bridge, and into Westchester County to reach White Plains by 1844. Next, the railroad reached the top of Westchester County at Croton Falls in 1847, then on to Dover Plains in 1848, and finally the village of Chatham in 1852. At Chatham, connections were made with the Western Railroad (later the Boston & Albany) and the Rutland Railway.

On Septmeber 1, 1966, P-motor #226 and an RS-3 hang out at North White Plains, New York, then the northern limit of third rail electrification on the Harlem Division.

In 1854, Cornelius Vanderbilt took control of the NY&H through a stock purchase. He then purchased stock control of the Hudson River Rail Road in 1863, and merged the two together to make the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad in 1869 (shortened to New York Central in 1914). Of note, the NY&H company still exists today, and remains the owner of considerable Manhattan real estate properties.

More and more people were living in the country and working in the city. As a result, a brisk commuter service developed on the lower portion of the Harlem early on. Third-rail electrification began in 1910 between New York and White Plains, as a result of the Grand Central Terminal Project. A engine terminal and transfer point was created at White Plains North to facilitate the changeover from electric to steam (and later diesel) locomotives. Beyond suburban service to Golden's Bridge and Brewster, through passenger service was available all the way to Chatham. Extended through services were operated over the Boston & Albany to Pittsfield and North Adams, Massachusetts. On occasion, the Harlem was used as a back-up route when the Hudson Division mainline was blocked. Today, only the section from Grand Central to Wassaic survives, operated by MTA Metro-North Railroad.

The Lake Mahopac Branch

The New York & Mahopac, which ran from a connection with the New York & Harlem at Golden's Bridge to Lake Mahopac opened in June 1872. It was leased on the same date, and became part of the New York & Harlem Railroad in 1880. There was only one other station on the line at Lincolndale. The branch crossed the Putnam Division at grade at XC Cabin. The Lake Mahopac terminal was adjacent to the Putnam Division station at the same point. Operation of the Lake Mahopac Branch continued through 1959, when all passenger service was ended. Since there were no freight to justify leaving the branch in place, it was promptly abandoned and removed by the early 1960s.

Penn Central's Upper Harlem Line Sunday afternoon train for New York awaits a rider or two at the ex-New York Central station at Chatham, New York in May 1971.

The Port Morris Branch

The industrial track that ran from the Harlem Division at Melrose over to a connection with the New Haven on the East River at Port Morris was built as the Spuyten Duyvil & Port Morris in 1842. It split from the Harlem near 162nd Street (near Melrose), and ran to a point on the East River known as Port Morris. In 1853, the NY&H purchased the railroad and it was designated as the Port Morris Branch. In later years, the line was electrified with third rail, and was operated as a freight connection to the New Haven's Oak Point Yard.

Map of the Harlem Division

The Putnam Division

2008-10-14T20:57:00.007-04:00

The history of the Putnam Division goes back to 1869, when the New York & Boston was chartered to build a new railroad from High Bridge in the Bronx to Brewster in Putnam County. The route would go through several name changes and reorganizations before actual construction began. At first, the New York & Boston was to be part of a plan to connect Boston with the Erie Railroad. Those plans collapsed and in 1873 the line was reorganized as the New York, Boston & Montreal. The New York & Boston was to be just one link in a new trunk line to Canada. The Panic of 1873 wiped out the grandiose plans, and the investors reorganized as the New York, Westchester & Putnam in 1877. The reorganized line was leased to the New York City & Northern, later becoming the New York & Northern in 1878, and construction finally began. The line was completed in 1880, and regular service began in 1881. A connection was made with the New York & Harlem at Brewster for service to the north, and with the New York & New England for Boston. The New York & Northern terminated at 155th Street in Manhattan, where direct connections were made with the Ninth Avenue Elevated. The Mahopac Falls Railroad was built from Baldwin Place north to the Mahopac iron mines in 1884. In 1888, the Yonkers Rapid Transit branch to Getty Square was built over the right of way of the West Side & Yonkers. By the 1890s, the NY&N had lost a lot of traffic and its outside connections once the NY&NE coming under the control of the New Haven. Afraid that a competing company would purchase the line and try to start a rate war with either the New York Central or the New Haven, financier J.P. Morgan purchased the failing NY&N at a bankruptcy auction in 1894 and reorganized it as the New York & Putnam. He then leased the NY&P to the New York Central, operating it as their Putnam Division. In 1913, the NY&P was formally merged into the New York Central.

During New York Central control, many changes took place. In 1902, the branch to Mahopac Mines was cut back to Mahopac Falls. That same year, a mile-long spur was built from Yorktown Hieghts to serve the proposed site of the Mohansic State Hospital. In 1915, New York City objected to the threat of water pollution to the Croton Reservoir from this project. The branch was abandoned in 1917. In 1916, NYC moved the Put's terminal from 155th Street to Sedgwick Avenue (just south of High Bridge). The swing bridge over the Harlem River was sold to the IRT subway, connecting with their new Jerome Avenue line. In 1926, the Putnam Division was electrified with third rail from Sedgwick Avenue up to Van Cortlandt Junction, and the entire Getty Square Branch.

John D. Rockefeller was annoyed by the railroad that ran through his family's estate in Pocantico Hills. Rockefeller approached the railroad with a plan to move the line off his property. On April 15, 1930, a construction crew of 500 men began work on the railroad relocation. Three stations were closed: Tarrytown Heights, Tower Hill, and Pocantico Hills. The new route opened in 1931. It served fewer people and generated no freight traffic. That same year the Mahopac Falls branch was abandoned. At the end of 1943, the New York Central filed for abandonment of the Getty Square branch. After a lengthy court battle, the Federal government ordered the line to be scrapped in December 1944.

In 1956, the New York Central announced its intention to end all commuter service on the Putnam Division, and increase fares on the nearby Harlem and Hudson Divisions. By 1957 the number of trains was cut in half. The reduced service led to even lower ridership and the railroad went back to the commission with another petition to end service later that year. In March 1958, the commission approved the railroad's petition, and the last Putnam Division passenger train ran on May 29. An interdivisional shuttled operated by Harlem Division crews continued until 1959.

Because the line had no tunnels and good clearances, "high and wide" freight loads kept the Putnam Division busy until the West Shore was upgraded to accept oversize freight traffic in the early 1960s. In 1962, trackage abandonment began in earnest. First to go was the 23 miles between East View and Lake Mahopac. More tracks were removed and service declined through the Penn Central and Conrail eras. Today, the entire line has been lifted, and much of the right-of-way has been converted to recreational trail use.

Map of the Putnam Division

The Hudson Division

2008-10-14T20:49:00.006-04:00

The Hudson River Railroad Company was incorporated May 12, 1846 to build and operate a railroad from New York City to East Albany which is now Rensselaer. The road was opened for traffic in sections as completed, the entire length being put into operation by October 1, 1851. The railroad was built along the west side of Manhattan Island beginning at 32nd Street north to Spuyten Duyvil and then following closely along the Hudson River through Yonkers, Tarrytown, Peekskill, Cold spring, Fishkill (now Beacon), Poughkeepsie, Rhinebeck (now Rhinecliff), Hudson, Castleton and finally to east Albany.

The railroad was initially opened for business to Peekskill on Sept. 30th and to Poughkeepsie Dec. 31st. 1849. The track had been laid during the summer and autumn of the year 1849 with rail weighting 70 lbs. to the yard. The road continued to be built in sections with the section between East Albany and Hudson opened on June 16th of 1851 and finally on October 1st of 1851, the entire road was opened between New York and East Albany. By 1850 a station had been located at Chambers Street in New York City and horses were used to draw the cars to 32nd Street.

The Hudson River Railroad became the Hudson River Division after the consolidation of the Hudson River Railroad and the New York Central Railroad in 1869, forming the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad. By the late 1880’s the Hudson River Division was shortened to the Hudson Division. When the Spuyten Duyvil & Port Morris Railroad was opened between Spuyten Duyvil and Mott Haven on April 1, 1872 that railroad was incorporated into the Hudson River Division as it had been previously leased to the Hudson River Railroad on November 1, 1871.

Once the electrification was begun in the early 1900’s from Grand Central Terminal to Croton-on-Hudson and North White Plains, the Hudson Division territory between Mott Haven and Croton-on-Hudson was gradually absorbed into the Electric Division and that was completed by early 1910. The 30th Street Branch which operated down the west side of Manhattan Island continued as a part of the Hudson Division until control was transferred to the Electric Division in late 1929 or early 1930. This branch had been the original main line of the Hudson River Railroad until the Spuyten Duyvil & Port Morris Railroad was completed allowing access to Grand Central Station.

Four-tracking of the entire Hudson Division between Croton-on-Hudson and Rensselaer was never completed and significant gaps remained between Peekskill and Garrison, Barrytown and Tivoli and Germantown and Castleton. The short section of four tracks between Tivoli and Germantown and Castleton and Rensselaer were reduced to two tracks early in the 1930’s as a result of the depression. Additional reductions of trackage occurred during the 1950’s and by the end of 1962 there were no four-track sections remaining.

In the early 1930’s, as a result of the depression, the management of the Hudson Division was transferred from New York City to Albany. Control continued in Albany under a Superintendent responsible for both the Mohawk and Hudson Divisions until the late 1950’s when operational control was returned to New York City as a result of organizational and related changes. The bulk of the former Hudson Division is now operated by CSX Transportation as far as Poughkeepsie, and by MTA Metro-North Railroad south to Grand Central.

Map of the Hudson Division

2009 NYCHS Calendar

2008-09-30T22:46:00.002-04:00

The Society’s 2009 Calendar is now available. Our calendar is priced at $11.00 per copy, postpaid. Ohio residents must include 77 cents sales tax.

Please address all orders for the 2009 calendar to:

NYCSHS
Dept. E
17038 Roosevelt Ave.
Lockport, IL 60441-4734

Although our 2007 and 2008 calendars are sold out, calendars for many other previous years are still available; please inquire.

2009 Metro-North Harmon Open House

2008-09-30T21:56:00.003-04:00

2009 METRO NORTH CROTON-HARMON OPEN HOUSE: Visit this hundred-year-old former New York Central shop facility for what could be the last time. Metro-North is curerntly constructing a new shop facility to replace the original shop complex. MTA Metro-North Railroad welcomes you to join us for our most festive occasion of the year. On Saturday, October 11th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., bring family and friends to Metro-North Railroad's Annual Harmon Open House in Croton, New York. Metro-North's friendly and knowledgeable staff will be on hand to answer questions as you tour the railroad's largest maintenance facility, take a fall foliage train ride, and watch Metro-North workers show off their mechanical and technical abilities during an ongoing series of informative demonstrations. It's all fun, all free, and never fails to impress! Maps will be given to visitors to help guide them through the various exhibits in the 275,000-square-foot shop. Get up close to a wide variety of passenger coaches, locomotives and specialized track equipment. Operate a track switch with the click of a computer mouse and watch the rails move into position, then get onboard a diesel train for a 50-minute fall foliage train trip through the majestic Hudson Highlands right at the peak of leaf season.

DIRECTIONS: The best way to get to Harmon Shop is to take a Hudson Line train to Croton-Harmon Station, where free shuttle buses will be running all day long to take you to the shop. Or, if you are driving from New York City, take the New York State Thruway to Exit 9, Tarrytown. Go left onto Route 119 for 2/10ths of a mile. Make a right onto Route 9, and continue north for 14 miles. After crossing the Croton River Bridge, take the first exit to Croton Point Avenue and look for directional signs to the free parking. If you're driving from Stamford or White Plains, take I-287 to the New York State Thruway entrance at Elmsford, and follow the directions above. Mark your calendar because it is a great way to spend a fall day with the family. For Hudson Line train schedule information, call Metro-North in NYC at (212) 532-4900, outside of NYC at 800-METRO-INFO. The hearing impaired can (via teleprinter) call 800-724-3322. Or you can visit Metro-North on the web at www.mta.info. In addition, train schedules are posted at all Metro-North stations.

2009 NYCSHS Convention - Geneva, New York

2008-09-29T13:36:00.001-04:00

Save the dates - April 17-18-19, 2009 - for the next NYCSHS convention. Host city will be Geneva, New York. Details will be forthcoming as more definite plans materialize. Watch for more info here!

NYC models showcased at Ohio gathering

2008-09-29T05:47:00.001-04:00

"Last Stop Willoughby: Remembering the CP&E Interurban Railroad" took place in Willoughby, Ohio on August 9 and 10, 2008. Visitors came to the Willoughby Historic District to recall the days of steam engines and electric trolleys. Meany learned about the Cleveland, Painesville & Eastern Railroad (CP&E), Willoughby’s own beloved electric trolley line that ran from 1895 to 1926. The CP&E car barn and power station remain; both seeing new life as a microbrewery and Italian restaurant. Models were on display as part of the event, including many examples of New York Central trains, as seen below. In the first photo, why yes, that is our very own Dick Croy, who was a super help with the recent Cleveland convention.

Vice President's Report

2008-09-27T10:21:00.000-04:00

Vice President's Report
Posted following the Annual Directors’ Meeting, September 25-27, 2008

Your Board met on September 25-27, 2008, and made an amazing amount of progress! The Society is facing many challenges at this point, but the Board passed several resolutions to manage and resolve our difficulties and to move ahead. Any minor differences of opinion and methods to be utilized were discussed in a friendly and positive manner, and a consensus was reached on all points. All votes were unanimous.

Major challenges include:

The delayed Central Headlight issues. Due to the illness of our editor Charles Smith, Rich Stoving has stepped up and will immediately serve as editor. He will work to create and provide the issues needed to get back on schedule.

Our original plan for an Upstate New York convention to be situated in Utica met with multiple obstacles regarding pricing, dates, and including an Adirondack Scenic Railroad excursion. Utica is therefore not an option anymore 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. It is planned to include some excursions on the Finger Lakes Railway and several more interesting attractions. Full confirmation of the dates and of the convention hotel will be presented forthwith. I may be able to arrange another Hickory Creek charter.

Our plans for the 2010 convention in Michigan have progressed exceptionally well, due to the comprehensive groundwork of members Dick Croy and John Martin. More details about this will follow.

The NYC drawing digitization is complete with nearly 14,000 drawings digitized. Grateful thanks go to directors emeriti Charlie Smith and John Reehling. Our immediate project is to provide all members with an index that will depict exactly what each drawing relates to. Director Tom Gerbracht has spent many hours creating and composing this index for our benefit, and it should be available shortly.

Thanks to some generous friends and members, we now have the resources to move ahead with photograph and negative digitization, and arrangements are being finalized to begin this long-awaited project.

Respectfully,

Bill Strassner,
Vice president, NYCSHS

Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway

2008-09-12T08:08:00.003-04:00

The Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway (TH&B) existed from 1892 through 1987 as a separate railway serving the Hamilton, Ontario area. It joined the lines of its corporate parents, the Canadian Pacific Railway and the New York Central. It was established largely as an alternate route for the businesses in the Hamilton area to ship their products to Canadian customers in Toronto, Montreal, and the west and to American customers via the New York Central and its subsidiaries. The railway also owned a subsidiary company to operate a rail ferry between Ashtabula, Ohio and Port Maitland, Ontario. The TH&B Navigation Company was chartered in 1916 and operated the Maitland No. 1 until 1932.

The TH&B was jointly owned after July 1895 by the CPR and NYC (and its successor, Penn Central) until 1977, when CP Rail bought the remaining shares and became full owner of the railway. The TH&B was integrated into the operations of its parent in 1987, losing its distinct identity as a separate railway.

Source: The Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway Historical Society

Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad

2008-09-12T08:04:00.005-04:00

The Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad was chartered in 1875. The railroad linked the "steel centers" of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Youngstown, Ohio by 1879. The New York Central took an interest in the road early on, and by 1879 had a 15 percent interest. In 1881, the Pittsburgh, McKeesport & Youghiogheny was opened as a joint venture between the P&LE and the NYC. This line constituted the majority of trackage south of Pittsburgh. By 1889, NYC took full control of the P&LE.

The P&LE owned a one-third stake in the coal-hauling Monongahela Railroad. The P&LE also controlled stakes in the Montour Railroad and the Lake Erie & Eastern. In 1934, the Baltimore & Ohio negotiated trackage rights over the P&LE between McKeesport and New Castle. B&O's long-distance passenger trains were also moved to the P&LE's station in downtown Pittsburgh.

The P&LE remained a highly profitable part of the NYC system, through to the Penn Central years. After Penn Central declared bankruptcy in June 1970, the P&LE was able to emerge as an independent railroad years later. In 1993, as the steel industry was in decline, the entire P&LE was acquired by CSX Transportation.

Map of the P&LE

See also: Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Historical Society

Walther's announces 1948 Twentieth Century Limited in HO scale

2008-08-20T13:59:00.007-04:00

FROM WWW.WALTHERS.COM:

Completely New from Diesels to Lookout Lounge!

Based on 1948 Train
9 Completely New Cars
Authentic Paint & Lettering
Superbly Detailed Inside and Out
PROTO-Max(TM) Die Cast Metal Knuckle Couplers
Matching PROTO 2000(R) E7 Diesels

No other train fired the imagination of the American public like New York Central's 20th Century Limited. Its exclusive clientele and blistering schedule between New York and Chicago made it the stuff of legends for 65 years. A favorite with business and industry leaders, its luxurious accommodations - including a red carpet on the platform at New York - also attracted stars of stage and screen, further fueling the train's celebrity status and romantic image.

New equipment finally arrived from Pullman in 1948, supplemented by refurbished 4-4-2 sleepers and RPOs from the 1938 trains. Painted in a new version of the two-tone gray scheme, sleepers and observations were named for various bodies of water in salute to the "Water Level Route" slogan. Up front, matched sets of EMD E7s provided 4000 horsepower to meet the 16-hour westbound, 15-1/2 hour eastward schedule.

Like the prototype, Walthers 20th Century is "Completely New from Diesels to Lookout Lounge!" And best of all, you can build a complete and affordable Century fleet, from the Phase II EMD E7 diesels to the train's signature "...Creek" series observation-lounge.

In addition, these First Edition models include a special certificate of authenticity, and an in-depth history of each car and loco! Plus, we'll also be offering a one-of-a-kind figure and accessory set, based on the classic publicity photo that defined Century elegance at its finest, complete with eight hand-painted figures and accessories, plus a 12" long reproduction of the famed red carpet rolled out for passengers as they boarded this flagship train!

--www.walthers.com

Scenes from Dr. Andrew W. Panko

2008-08-18T11:20:00.004-04:00

These two photos were provided by Dr. Andrew W. Panko of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The scenes are roughly based on the Canada Southern (CASO) crossing of the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo (TH&B) in Southern Ontario.

Falls Road freight house at Medina, NY struck by lightning

2008-08-18T11:08:00.003-04:00

Medina Railroad Museum struck by lightning

By Nicole Coleman The Journal-Register
Published: August 10, 2008 09:49 pm

The Medina Railroad Museum suffered extensive damage Thursday evening when lightening struck its historic brick chimney. Caretaker Roland Holler was standing in the front depot entrance near the ticket booth when he heard a loud explosion, reports museum volunteer and technician Dave Moore. The chimney, located on the section of roof above Holler’s head, was instantly blown to pieces causing a blow out of the alarm system and surveillance cameras. No one was injured in the incident, although the building’s live-in cat, visibly shaken, scampered to find a safe hiding place and didn’t emerge for six hours, Moore said. “The strike was so powerful ... (that) it actually shook the building,” said Marty Phelps, the museum’s owner and director.

Read the rest of the story here.

FM Coal Tower on Tom Stage's NYC Model Railroad

2008-08-13T09:38:00.003-04:00

From Tom Stage: "I'm not sure if the NYC ever used any of these particular coaling stations on their system. However, I would be very delighted to find out if they did, and where they were located. At 4 inches tall, the Suncoast Models Coaling station does make for a nice-sized coaling station for a small-sized fueling facility. Most of the other commercially available coaling towers are at least 11 inches tall and compete too much with the overall "skyline" of a small layout like mine."

The prototype FM coaling tower, in use on the Missouri Pacific:

Suncoast Models FM Coaling station on Tom Stage's HO model railroad:

Suncoast Models FM Coaling station at "night" on Tom's HO model railroad, lit up:

Buffalo Yards, circa 1913

2008-08-01T13:15:00.002-04:00

This colored, full-bleed postcard is from the collection of Bill Strassner. How many details can you spot?

David Staplin's "Port Byron" in HO

2008-07-07T10:17:00.003-04:00

This fine model is the "Port Byron," one of fourteen 12 double bedroom Pullmans, delivered in early 1949 for the Twentieth Century Limited, Commodore Vanderbilt and Detroiter. These cars were built to Pullman plan 4125 in Lot 6790 (NYC Lot 2193). According to a roster by Randall, "Port Byron" was sold to Ringling Bros. Circus in 1968. This is a late 1970s Soho brass car in HO with various detail parts added.

Alco's "Niagaras" of New Power

2008-07-03T09:51:00.004-04:00

From Richard Leonard's New York Central Collection:

Many authorities consider the New York Central's class S1 4-8-4's, erected by American Locomotive Company in 1945-46, to be the apex of steam locomotive design in North America. Intended for long-distance, heavy-duty passenger service over the Water Level Route, they rivaled the emerging diesel in horsepower, efficiency and availability. When in service on long-distance trains such as the Commodore Vanderbilt and even the Twentieth Century Limited, they were known to make the entire run from Harmon, New York to Chicago with only a few servicing stops, whereas older power had to be changed en route.

The 6000 number series for the Niagaras was intended to reflect their nominal horsepower. No. 6000 was delivered in 1945 and was designated as class S1a. Another 25 Niagaras, Nos. 6001-6025, arrived in 1946 and were assigned to class S1b. No. 5500, which was equipped with oscillating cam Poppet valves, was also delivered in 1946 and was designated class S2a. The Niagaras had roller bearings on all axles and also on the side rods. The S1s had a boiler pressure of 275 pounds per square inch and 25.5x32-inch cylinders, and developed a tractive effort of 61,570 pounds. Their trailing truck supported a firebox with 101 square feet of grate area. This, combined with an evaporative heating surface of 4,819 square feet, produced a maximum drawbar horsepower of 5070 at 62.5 miles per hour, the equivalent at that time of four diesel units. The total weight of locomotive and tender was 891,000 pounds.

Please visit Richard Leonard's fantastic site for more information on NYC steam.

2008 releases of New York Central scale models

2008-07-02T16:30:00.009-04:00

HO Locomotives:

Con-Cor Aerotrain
Plastic
Projected Release: Second run due August 2008

Broadway Limited (BLI) 4-6-4 20th Century Limited "Dreyfus" Hudson
Projected release: TBD

Broadway Limited (BLI) 4-8-2 L-4a/L-4b Mohawk
Composite metal and plastic
Projected release: Nov 2008

Division Point 4-8-2 L-1a/L-1b Mohawk
Brass
Projected release: Late 2008

Key Imports NYC Mohawks
Brass
Projected Release Date: ???

Key Imports NYC J-3 Hudsons
Brass
Projected Release Date: ???

True Line Trains Fairbanks-Morse CPA-24-4 (NYC DPA-6A)
Plastic
Projected release: Already released

MTH Electric Trains NYC L-3a Mohawk
Die cast
Projected release date: August 2008

MTH Electric Trains NYC L-3b Mohawk
Die cast
Projected release date: August 2008

MTH Electric Trains NYC L-3c Mohawk
Die cast
Projected release date: August 2008

MTH Electric Trains NYC L-4a Mohawk
Die cast
Projected release date: August 2008

MTH Electric Trains NYC L-3b Mohawk
Die Cast
Projected release date: August 2008

Walthers F-M H-10-44 Switchers
P&LE 9100 and P&LE 9101
Plastic
Projected Release Date: August 2008

HO Freight Cars:

Accurail 41' AAR steel gondola (NYC)
Plastic
Projected release: Unknown

Kadee 40' AAR Boxcar
NYC Century Green, plastic
Release Date: June 2008

Proto 1000 USRA 50-ton Drop-Bottom Composite gondola (NYC)
Plastic (#349992) and (#349759/#349816)
Projected release: Already released

ProtoWest Models 70-ton 53 foot AAR Flat Car (NYC)
Resin kits, Kit number PWHO-1d, comes two cars to the box
Projected release: Already on second run

Walthers Flexi-van flatcars with vans
Plastic (932-3925), (932-3921)
Projected release: Already released

HO Passenger Cars:

Nickel Plate Car Budd-built “Valley” series 10-6 Pullman
Etched brass sides and Budd core kit.
Hobbyist must by additional detail parts for underbody.
Projected release: Already released

Nickel Plate Car Heavyweight betterment Pullmans
Etched brass sides with Branchline core. Kits contain all underbody parts
Pullman Plans: 4158 “Elm”, 4172 “Oak”, 3980 “Night”, 4090D&F “Tower”, 4022A&B “Emerald”, 3411 “Villa” or “Clan”
Projected release: Already released
Pullman Plans: 4015C “Dover”, 3997A “House” or “Mansion”
Projected release: Unknown

O Scale Locomotives:

Dreyfuss J-3a Hudson (NYC)
Brass decorated in either 1938 or 1940 striping scheme
Division of Sunset Models
Projected release: Unknown

Empire State Express J-3a Hudson (NYC)
Division of Sunset Models
Projected release: Already released

O Scale Passenger Rolling Stock:

20th Century Limited Train
(three different sets totaling 12 cars) 1938 or 1940 striping scheme
Division of Sunset Models
Projected release: Unknown

Empire State Express Train (two different sets totaling 6 cars)
Division of Sunset Models
Projected release: Unknown

Mercury Train add-on set (3 cars)
Division of Sunset Models
Projected release: Already released

Key Imports Commodore Vanderbilt 4-6-4
Brass
Projected Release: ???

Gerald Brimacombe's "Centuries" in O scale

2008-07-02T16:14:00.004-04:00

Gerald Brimacombe shares with us his O scale models of the 1938 Twentieth Century Limited. This photograph recreates the well-known "Centuries Pass in the Night" pose with his detailed scale models.

P&LE Greenville gondola in HO by Jerry Glow

2008-07-02T09:57:00.005-04:00

Jerry Glow is a Missouri Pacific modeler, but a fan of freight cars of all roads. Jerry presents his model of a Pittsburgh & Lake Erie gondola with pipe load. This very simple project required substituting ladders from his scrap box for the grabirons on an otherwise stock Proto 2000 kit and a little touch up to the paint. He has yet to weather the trucks, add couplers and tie-downs for the load. Not all freight car projects have to be complicated!