Railway Historical

Garrison, New York

Here we see a northbound Metro North commuter train making its stop at Garrison, New York. This is on the Hudson Line, which was formerly of the New York Central and later Penn Central.

The locomotive is interesting in that this model was built specifically for the tunnel to, and the bowels of, Grand Central Terminal. The unit can run on diesel but also from the third-rail (to eliminate fumes). I believe the New Haven was the first owner, one of the three railroads which were folded into the Penn Central.

One image, shot with a 500 mm mirror lens, by Richard Koenig; taken in September of 1988.

Trains of the Hudson Valley

Here are three Amtrak trains I photographed on the former New York Central, just north of Cold Spring, New York. This was part of the railroad’s famous “Water Level Route” between New York and Chicago—which went north along the Hudson River, west across the state, not terribly far from the Erie Canal, and then to follow the shores of the Great Lakes the remainder of the way.

The first image shows a northbound train just north of Cold Spring. The second has a southbound train with Pollepel Island visible in the background (the structure thereon is called Bannerman Castle). The locomotive type in these first two images are the unique EMD FL9.

The trio to complete the set is yet another southbound train in that same vicinity. The quality of these images is not great, which didn’t help me ID the locomotive, but I was very interested in that second E-unit in the consist—which turned out to be from New Jersey Transit.

Five images by Richard Koenig; taken in the fall of 1983.

Through the Hudson Highlands

Here we see a New York City-bound train powering through a short tunnel and then rolling into the tiny village of Garrison, New York. The burg is located on the Hudson River directly across from West Point, in the Hudson Highlands.

The two locomotives, EMD FL9s, that are powering the train—pushing, in this case—are unique, built specifically for operation in the Park Avenue Tunnel and bowels of Grand Central Station. This line is formerly the New York Central, which was four tracks wide for much of this stretch down to The City.

Four images by Richard Koenig; taken in the fall of 1988.

Garrison, New York

A northbound Metro North Commuter Railroad train is making its station stop at Garrison, New York. This small hamlet, located in Putnam County, is on the other side of the Hudson River from West Point.

This line was formerly the New York Central; the small three car train is being pulled by a single EMD FL9 built around 1960.

One image by Richard Koenig; taken September 1988.

Croton-Harmon, New York

A northbound Amtrak train, pulled by a single EMD FL9, is approaching the Croton-Harmon yard and station. The line here is formerly the New York Central, and the particular station is where the electrified portion begins and is equipped thusly (third-rail) all the way down to Grand Central Terminal.

One image by Richard Koenig; taken July 1989.

Metro North at Breakneck Ridge

This is a northbound Metro North train at Breakneck Ridge on the Hudson Line, not far from Cold Spring. Storm King Mountain can be seen (vaguely due to the humidity) in the background on the other side of the river.

The train is being pulled by a pair of EMD FL9s. These were built in 1960 for the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. This rail line was formerly the New York Central and was four tracks wide.

One image by Richard Koenig; taken August 1988.