Central Headlight - 4Q 2010



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


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

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

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


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


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


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

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


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

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


"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!