Returning to New York from Connecticut, I got onto the first car of a MetroNorth commuter train to avoid the crowds. As we left the Harlem station and I caught the sight from the front window, I wished I had brought the videocamera with me, until I realized I had a cheap snapshot camera. The video actually turned out to be usable. It captures the last few hundred yards into Grand Central. It’s pretty boring if you ride the train into GCT a lot, but I thought some of you who don’t get to NYC very often might like to get a feel for what it’s like to navigate the labyrinth of tracks into the terminal. You’ll notice that track 23 is shorter than the tracks on the right. The maintenance vehicle you see in the opening moments is on track 27, the track once used by New York Central’s fabled Twentieth Century Limited.
Very cool, eastside. Thanks for sharing!
That’s neat. In spite of the technical short comings it presents a good sense of the labyrinth of track and tunnel. In recent times, I have found that the Chicago Metra trains I ride have the cab car closed to passengers. My infrequent trips are on off peak trains so I don’t know what happens on rush hour trains. I miss the oppurtunity to check up on the railroad from the head end.
Your post triggered a memory from way back. There was a radio drama show late '40s early '50s called “Grand Central Station”. The show was introduce by the announcer excitedly describing the route of a passenger train-maybe the 20th Century-past the landmarks and neighborhoods of NYC and then (very dramaticly) “GRAND CENTRAL STATION”
Any knowledge of that?
Thanks for sharing this neat video!
Regards
You pulled off something here. The security forces of Metro North and NYMTA failed to stop you! Praise be from the Jedi! Seriously, that brought back memories of riding into GCT from Danbury in an ex- New Haven “washboard” M.U., which rode a lot rougher than your train did. Had I tried to film the approach into GCT back then the results would have been unwatchable.
Worthwhile viewing. But I know you will want to repeat this with your best equipment. And when you do you will also want to photograph from 125th Street south into the tunnels, but not particularly just plain tunnel running. Sure brought back memories to me, saw this sort of thing probably about 200 or more times!
Mr Benham there is no security forces on Metro North and the MTA police does not stop picture taking of trains etc. they can confiscate films however taken of right of way and strategicaly important stuff like this video is.
btw the MTA plice is not a security force but a police force with full jurdestriction in 3 states, they have more poower than any statepolice officer.
Jay, which Metra route(s) close the cab car? I’ve never had that problem on UP lines (never been able to find a seat on BNSF’s cab cars). Ask Miz Mookie about her bruises someday.
Dutchrailnut, can you provide some sort of reference for your claim that police can confiscate films of “strategically important stuff” like the entrance to the station, or that the station entrance is “strategically important”?
Thanks.
Thanks Eastside, having traveled from Tuckahoe, NY to GCT for years myself back in the early 1970’s your video brought back many memories of being essentially in the same seat as you were. I also have traveled on Metra into CUS many times in the lead car and the leads into CUT are very much shorter than GCT leads are but otherwise are essentially the same. Thanks again.
Eastside:
Tried to check out your video of the approach to GCT…That should be interesting but I get the little black window and no action…What might I be missing…Help…
Computer should be capable and has a fast connection…
The video file uses the Apple QuickTime viewer. You might check to see if you have the latest version (7.1): QT update
Carl
Lately, my trips have been on the Fox Lake Line. I suppose there could reasons other than safety for the lead car to be closed. With more cars needed for the passenger load, it could be just for passenger and crew convenience.
…Thanks Eastside…It’s not a viewer I have installed…