HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020!
Welcome All to Jeffrey's Trackside Diner
Located in the Hustle and Bustle of
MIDTOWN MANHATTAN
At the beginning of each month, it is the time to pay our respect to friends no longer with us.
Barry Arnold aka BlownoutCylinderJerry Cox aka Cox47Wolfgang Dudler aka Westport TerminalBob Hartle aka cmrproductsEd MurphyBill NorthStein Rypern, Jr. aka SteinjrAndy SperandeoJeffrey "Running Bear" WimberleyAlan BTom MillsJames W. Rohde aka CapeJimMichael L. Myles aka Inch
Gone, but not forgotten!
Jeffrey´s Trackside Diner is the place for you to go to relax and talk off topic about most anything - as long as you stay within the forum rules, which means certain hot button topics are excluded. Please refer to Steven Otte´s post on Forum Policies. Everybody is welcome to participate in the Diner !
The staff - that´s Zoe, Chloe, Flo, Janie, and Brunhilda — is very friendly and will serve up plenty of virtual diner fare with a smile. Just don´t forget to leave a generous tip! Now and then, our host Steven Otte chips in and brings along some goodies for us to try - which is always heartily welcomed!
This month we will explore the environs of the Railroad Rich New York City area. There's lots to see and do both above the streets and below!
Let's start off with a look at one of the ways we will be getting around:
Later we will explore some of the commuter and long-distance passenger trains of the area, then visit the docks, wharves and slips along the navigable waterways here and study the huge freight operation that feeds, clothes and shelters the masses of the Big City.
Here's our diner, second and third cars behind the motor, on its way to Manhattan, earlier today on the Congressional Limited.
PRR_4887_GG1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Stop back often for a cup of your favorite beverage and loads of interesting conversation, railroad and otherwise!
Cheers! Ed
Anyone remember all the hooplah over the "Y2K" bug?
It was predicted to be the end of civilization as we know it. I knew of a fellow I w**ked with who had FOUR 55 gallon drums of gasoline in his garage! (gas pumps were going to shut down).
I can't believe that was twenty years ago already!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_2000_problem
Computer memory was so expensive then that programmers took shortcuts by shortening the year and dropping the first two digits, thus saving sixteen bytes!
Where did twenty years go?
So, let's take a look at what's probably the last remaining car float operation in the area. At one time there were hundreds of car barges operated by at least a half-dozen railroads.
Regards, Ed
Hey Ed!
Great job on launching the diner for January 2020!
I haven't been on a subway for probably 50 years!
I got a kick out of seeing the railway float list as the cars were taken off.
Thanks,
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Thanks, Ed, for moving the diner to NY, NY!
The new year started a lot noisier than in previous years. Apparently, the discussion of banning private fireworks made lots of people burn money just like mad. Some of the folks in my neighborhood must have spent thousands of Euros - how stupid!
Have a good year 2020!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Ed,
Thank you for moving the diner this month. Enjoyed the short on the barge.
Happy New Year to all,
herrinchoker
I'm glad everyone is finding the Diner in this bustling city.
My first visit to NYC as a ten-year old boy in 1966 was not exactly what you would call a grand entrance. We arrived in Hoboken Terminal in New Jersey via the Erie-Lackawanna's Lake Cities, then by bus through the Holland Tunnel and finally, unceremoniously dumped at the Port Authority bus terminal.
Now my second visit two years later was in a much Grander style, arriving in Grand Central Terminal as a self-respecting twelve year old should:
Many of us should have the day off so you can take some time to look at the fascinating architecture of Grand Central.
Thanks for stopping by the Diner!
Cheers, Ed
It seemed like we always passed the billboard that blew smoke rings when we visited the city.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
gmpullmanI can't believe that was twenty years ago already! ...... Where did twenty years go?
I thought the same thing this morning! I remember heading to the school the morning of January 1 just to see if the computer lab and the office computers were still working. It seems like last year, not 20 years ago.
Good morning, everyone! I can't wait for all the pictures of NYC. I love that city, but it seems like lately, the news out of there is not so good. I hope they don't regress to the dirt and danger of the late 60s.
Have a great day to start the new year. I'm making my traditional New Year's food -- Chili Soup. My mother made it every New Year's Eve, and I thought I would restart the tradition.
York1 John
Happy New Year! I love the old shot of the GG-1.
I don't remember my first trip to New York City, but we live close by, on Long Island, so we probably took the Long Island Railroad, the "Route of the Dashing Commuter," straight in. The last time I was there, I took Amtrak from where I lived in Boston.
I loved the subways.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Happy New Year everyone. Thanks for starting the new thread here Ed.
TF
The new year didn´t get a good start in the western German town of Krefeld, where a sky lantern set the ape house of the local zoo ablaze. 30 animals were killed in the fire.
Sky lanterns are banned after a 2009 incident, when a sky lantern set fire to a child´s room, killing the infant.
I have fond memories of the Krefeld zoo, which was renowned for its ape house.
This is so sad!
Great job of moving us to NYC Ed. Now where do I catch the closest, and fastest train outa here and back to WI.
The sky lantern thing. Very bad. I mean, you have no control of it once it's launched. I don't get it.
Happy 2020 everyone! Even though I was in bed by 10:30 last night.
In anticipation of the Rose Bowl game today. Go Badgers!
Is there a way to change the font color in here?
Mike.
My You Tube
Thanks for posting the video about the rail barge operation Ed. I always wondered how they secured the end of the barge where it met the dock.
Happy New Year
Tim
Late to the model railroad party but playing catch-up.....
Hey everyone,welcome to the future. We have no flying cars, hoverboards, nor Cafe 80s, BUT we do have self driving cars-sort of, kind of...they exist.
NYC huh? I've been there once. Not a bad town, but too crowded for my taste. I went in 2010, on a school trip for the choirs and band. I'll never forget, we ate breakfast at an iHop in New Jersey, then off to Statue of Liberty ferry terminal in New Jersey. Even on a trip like that, I still find train stuff- the NJT Caboose and CNJ baggage car by the old sheds. Not a bad trip, I mean I got to sing in RIVERSIDE CATHEDRAL! I saw the rich people toystore, the Toys R Us in times square, the WTC memorial site, ate at the cotton club,etc Good times, good times. btw, my group placed 3rd for barbershoppers (only male choir) and 2nd for concert choir(advanced musical group).
Amazingly there were no fireworks here, but I am not a fan of the lanterns either. For reasons others have stated.
Been working on my layout today, sadly the progress videos are on hiatus, until Youtube sorts out their content creator policy. Anyone know a good alternate site to upload video?
The open house season has been very great to my club, hopefully this last weekend will be as well. We're also starting operating sessions this year! Finally!
Have a great day all.
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
HIPPO GNU EAR 2 EWE TOO.
Being in the City of NOO YORK, I'll find manay photos of my Vacation to post.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Lets go a little farther north and visit Tarrytown, NY, with some great traffic for railfanning. I was only there 20 minutes, and I saw 6 trains!
The trains were so fast I couldn't get very good shots. Enjoy!
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
No picture can capture actually being at the 9/11 Memorial. My girlfriend and I read every name around those pools, and then just sat down and cried. To many visiting now, the memorial is from events in history books, but those of us who vividly remember that day, or who lost co-workers and friends, it's a fitting tribute and a beautiful place to visit, in its way.
Also the CSX river line passes near the city, shown here at Blauvelt, NY.
Happy New Year!!
New York is a place I have only visited once and that was in May, 1992. We went there primarily to hear Jose Carreras sing at Carnegie Hall. Saw some sites too, but nothing RR related. At that time sailing was my prmary interest. Anyway we did enjoy our stay but felt that 4 days was all we could take with the noise and congestion.
Nothing planned for today, just eat some nice stuff later. Not that I need much more food.
CN Charlie
A buddy of mine named his home layout the Napanong, Lackawac, and Kerhonkson Railroad. Which I thought was ridiculous. It turns out those are actual places in upstate New York. So, after a few days of wining, dining, and celebrating in the Big Apple, a little road trip about 50 miles north to Ulster County might be a nice diversion.
Hey Janie, make that pie a la mode. Twelve hours into the New Year is long enough to keep a resolution.
Robert
LINK to SNSR Blog
Welcome to day one of 2020. So is this the first year of a new decade, or the beginning of the final year of the old decade?
My last trip to NYC was a couple of years ago. As I have mentioned here before, I am a big admirer of Philip Glass. We flew to New York to see a world premier of his 11th Symphony at Carnegie Hall on his 80th birthday. It was a top-five-in-my-life event.
I started the new year with a 90-mile ride on the motorcycle. The weather was perfect; the bike was awesome; life is good.
Richard
For a run of sixty-five years, the New York Central operated what is probably considered The Train of luxury and unequaled service, the Twentieth Century Limited. It's eastern destination was Grand Central Terminal located Midtown at Park Avenue and 42nd. St.
https://www.grandcentralterminal.com/
Some years after its demise, one of the two, distinctive, 1948 observation cars, Hickory Creek once again graced the platform of Track 34 in May, of 2013, along with several other private cars.
1-3 Vintage Trains by Susan Bednarczyk, on Flickr
You can enjoy more photos of this event here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mssusanb/sets/72157633464647349/with/8731913411/
The New York Central benefited from direct rail access to Manhattan since the first Grand Central opened in 1871. Subsequently, a second terminal was built at the same location operating from 1900 until the present day GCT was opened in 1913.
The directly competing Pennsylvania Railroad did not enjoy a Manhattan railroad station until the completion of the Pennsylvania Station in November of 1910.
Here is a 1908 view of the construction of the present-day GCT showing the existing station, toward the right, still operating during the process.
GCT_1908 by Edmund, on Flickr
Click to go to Flickr and enlarge the photo for an amazing view of the activity.
Happy New Year from the sunny West Coast. After some 30 hours of torrential rain, a fresh clean feeling can't be missed when one steps outside. Tourist always wonder why everything seems so clean out here, it is because of the wash down factor.
Jimmy_Braumvideos are on hiatus, until Youtube sorts out their content creator policy. Anyone know a good alternate site to upload video?
Jimmy, I removed all my videos from my You-Tube site and could care less about doing it. I will wait until I find a new host elsewhere and get back in business. I wonder how much video content has already been removed from You-Tube. I am sure there must already be a number of other hosting sites out there, just need to start looking. I have a friend that leases large scale industrial properties and the high tech flow from South of the border in the last couple of years into the greater Vancouver area has been huge, Nuff said.
I had to step in a cook dinner for what turned out to be 15 people last night and it turned out perfectly. The house was even clean enough to meet the bosses approval. Midnight hit and everyone left dead tired. We are all getting too old and even making midnight was a tough one.
Charlie, did you ever sail on the Red River? My Dad sailed there and we have lots of old photos of him doing it. They use to race and I have memories of hearing the stories of the different events.
Well, we are off to my sisters for the annual New Year's day dinner and then the year's festivities will be done. As much as I love my family and friends, the number of events that we have to attend is over the top and it wears thin pretty quick.
All the best to all.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
New York is where I'd rather stay, I get allergic smelling hay, I just adore the penthouse view, darling I love you but give me Park Avenue
Words from a good sit-com, Jaja Gabor
Keep up the good pics and New York video here, enjoyed
I spent New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with my Daughter.
She was so thoughtful. She collected a bunch of steam locomotive videos through Amazon Prime we've been watching.
We went out to see the movie Jumanji 2 today. It was good but not as good as the first one.
Judy's Hotel has been busy with all the partiers and she got stuck working overtime...... Sucks to be her
Happy New Year guys!
CNCharlieNew York is a place I have only visited once and that was in May, 1992. We went there primarily to hear Jose Carreras sing at Carnegie Hall. Saw some sites too, but nothing RR related.
Make that twice for me - in the same month and year. I also saw Carreras at Carnegie Hall and we may have met without knowing it. I must admit I was quite impressed with the Big Apple, but not always in a positive manner. The driver of the limmo who picked me up at the airport had quite a time to circumnavigate the truck-sized potholes in the road and I was not really particularly fond of the trash storm hitting my face. I liked my stroll through Greenwich Village, the ride with the subway and seeing a flying airplane actually below me when being at the top of the Empire State building. My highlight was talking to Carreras after his concert, though. I was with a well known record label in those days and we tried to win him for a recording with us.
Our neighbors at Trains Magazine have provided an interesting look at New York Central's West Side freight line.
A downloadable .pdf file:
https://mrr.trains.com/-/media/Files/PDF/Layout%20visits/2015/MRP%202015/TRN032002_5460.pdf
Hey Brent.
I just gots to knows.
Did you finish up that Glenfiddich with some more Tranquility of Christmas lights out the window and some more guitars last night
After all, ..... I would, because it sounded so good the first time
Eveing Diners
Flo, the gang and I will have a and give Dirk a Milk Bone.
My daughter is in the Hospital with Pneumonia. In strange way it is good news to me. Reason is the hosptial that has her think's it is cuse of the mysterious back and side pain she has had. They have given her a synthetic opiod for the pain and is on antibiotic for the Pneumonia.
In the last few weeks she has gone to our local Hospital and her pain Doctor and recivied no treatment. Hope now she will be on the road too recovery!
Later Ken and Dirk say's got anything besides a Milk Bone Daddy? Woof?
I hate Rust
Great photo of the construction Ed. I love old photos like that. The concrete formwork always gets my attention.
Start Spreading the News.
I'm leaving today.
I want to be apart of it
New York New York.
Do you remember that one John Denver song?
I guess he'd rather be in Colorado.
He'd rather spend his time out where the sky looks like a pearl after rain.
Once again I'm in his office, once again a quiet cough, is all he has to show he lives in New York City.