Haven’t posted a shot for awhile, so here’s one from anothe recent trip back east. Riverdale station is in the Bronx, right by my uncle’s house, so it’s a favorite spot for me.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=307001
Even though that Amtrak looks like it’s stopped at the plaform, this is a commuter stop only and the train is doing track speed thorugh here (which I think could be as much as 70 mph).
Charles
Ok, so when does the calendar come out?
Wow, Ed… you just made me grin ear to ear! Thanks!!!
WHAT ED SAID!!! [8D] [tup][tup]
Just curious, Charles. The locomotive is it operating off third rail or diesel power there?
Thanks for sharing another really nice photo.
Sam,
It’s operating off of diesel at that point. The Amtrak engines are set for over running third-rail which is used in Penn Station. The third-rail on the Hudson Line is under running. I am not sure that they can even pick up from it (and if they can, I believe it would be complicated to get them to do so).
Also, the electric rule applies in Manhattan only, not all of New York City, and while the Bronx is very much part of New York City, the law is not in effect here.
The old 30th Street Branch (which is now called the Empire Service Sub or Branch or something like that) used to have under-running third rail, but it was pulled maybe 40 years ago. This unit won’t see third-rail until it reaches the leads for Penn Station, where it will switch over (by law) to electric operation.
Metro North Gennies, which are equipt for under running third rail (as is used in Grand Central) also run as diesels through here, switching over when they reach the Park Avenue tunneil in Manhattan also.
(All of this is what I’ve gleaned, by the way… if someone knows better, please jump in and tell me I’m wrong… that’s totally okay…)
Charles
The Amtrak dual-mode locomotives have a system of raising or retracting their third-rail shoes so as not to foul the Metro North underrunning third rail. The New Haven FL-9’s were originally equipped with a double-sprung third rail shoe that could be used with either third rail provided mainenance of both rail and shoe was up-to-snuff. Worked OK for a while, but in the early Penn Central days problems developed. FL-9’s began using diesel into GCT with the smoke problems it produced and no longer could run over the Hell Gate Bridge into Penn Station, which they had been doing when an EP-5 “Jet” was not available. But by that time GG-1’s were running to New Haven.
I think the photo is terrific. Note the track and additional track right-of way to the left of the southbound platform. This would be the logical turn-back point for an extension of Long Island Rail Road service through from Penn Station to (1) give LIRR riders on Penn Station trains direct connections to Metro North’s Hudson line, to stations for the GW Bridge, Columbia U. complex and Lincoln Center, and (2) to give Hudson line commuters a good connection to Manhattan’s West Side via LIRR trains.
One minor problem, LIRR uses overrunning third rail, so some LIRR cars would need modified third rail shoes to operate to that point.
The most scenic line in the U.S.?
Trains, January 1990 page 44
Metro-North along the Hudson
( AMTK, FRONTISPIECE, MNCR, “SWANBERG, J. W.”, TRN )
Certainly a contender !
There are several scenic routes in the NY Metropolitan area all accessable by commuter rail The Hudson Line certainly has to be on top of the list. So is the NJT/MNRR run up to Port Jervis on the old Erie, I place it #2 followed by the Gladstone LIne Then the MNRR to Wassaic or Cannan or Danbury or Waterbury are mind boggling. NJT/MNRR’s Pascak Vally line is so unique. But every LIRR line has absolutely fascinating sights. Oh, ride down to the Shore on the NJCoast LIne or over the Corridor, too. You know what’s neat? The River LIne between Trenton and Camden. As a railfan I find “great” in all the lines. That’s why my Ridewithmehenry trips are so much fun: designed to enjoy as a sightseer or railfan. But, yes, the ride up to Poughkipsie is the most scenic for the whole family, whether railfan or not.