New York High Line

[davekelly]

There's a guy on ebay who sells period photographs. Many are of the New York City subway system and elevated lines.

[Anonymous]

Matt, I regret to say that I was far too young for remembering the old Chelsea area in much detail. My family moved from N.Y C. when I was still in grade school. We lived in the West Bronx (University and Kingsbridge) and only rarely would my father tote me along to his office on the lower West side. Like any kid, I recall some buildings, streets and landmarks with clarity, but over-all impressions are a blurr. I do recall the locomotives on the "High Line" were box cab electrics similar to an O gauge Lionel Trains model of the 1940's. To my knowledge, no steam was allowed in Mannhattan at all at a very early date.

I will be watching this topic with interest for any details that may cause a "knee-jerk" reaction to new information. Meanwhile, I will be doing research "on my own" for more memorabilia on that phase of the N.Y. Central in the City. My next stop was Kansas City, Mo. and childhood memories from this venue are far more vivid and lasting. Sorry, I couldn't be of any help here. Good hunting to all of you who are joining in this "quest." Regards.

[Anonymous]

Glad to see another potential New York modeler!
The viaduct was constructed of plate girders-ME bridge parts should ideal for this project. Should be interesting, please share if you do it!

[Anonymous]

I also found www.forgotten-ny.com/ which has photos of the line, though they're not as comprehensive as the oldNYC ones. Interesting though! www.thehighline.org/ has some photos of the line under construction and current plans to turn it into a public trail.

Ted D. Kramer - interesting to hear that you lived near the line, do you remember it being operational? I've been trying to find out for a while what type of locos were used - there's no overhead wiring (and I can't see an outside third rail in the original photos on GaryA's link - unless that's what the extra rail between the running rails is?), but at least one reference had an account by a former engineer of switching on the line using a third rail box-motor electric - apparently they could get stuck between live rails, and needed "assistance" using a metal rod jammed between the live rail and the pickup! Wondering if some form of battery power was involved? We had a type of motor luggage van over here that could run for 20mins on internal batteries to enable it to run onto the quayside at Dover to meet ferries and collect luggage, maybe something similar was used there?

Did the NYC ban on locos emitting exhaust (I.E. steam and diesel) cover the area where the High Line runs? The locos in the two photos I've seen of trains on the line look nothing like anything I've seen before - though they do have a striking resemblence to some early European electric locos.

[Anonymous]

Try http://www.railroad.net/articles/railfanning/westside/index.php

I believe the West Side improvement project and the high line are one and the same thing. Some of the photos would make terrific dioramas.

Gary

[Anonymous]

Doanster, I'm sure grateful you opened this thread. Thanks to Matt, I am seeing buildings, neighborhoods, et al.for the first time in 35 years. Never thought I would miss those hectic "rat racing" days but these pix bring back only the good side, not the bad. I love the street (cobblestone) shots and gained some detail ideas for future. Thanks to both of you.

[doanster]

wow that oldNYC site has a wealth of pictures. Thanks for the link!

[Anonymous]

Try the April 2004 Trains Magazine. I think either Smithsonian or Historic Preservation magazine also had an article a couple of years ago.

Happy Hunting.

[Anonymous]

Try www.oldnyc.com - plenty of photos of the surviving sections. I've wanted to model a section of it as a diorama for some time though it's very much a long-term project. Hope this helps!

[doanster]

I am trying to do some research on this intresting line but can't seem to find much prototypical info on it... on the net all I see are ppl wanting to turn it into a elevated park with no regards to the trains that once ran on it.... *sigh*

any suggestions and modelling tips?