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The High Line
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The High Line, built in 1929-1934 is a 1.5 mile long elevated railway that travels from the 34th street railyards on the West side of New York City through the third floor of buildings that had their own track sidings for about 22 blocks South. Before there were rail tunnels crossing under the Hudson River into New York from New Jersey trains from the Midwest cattle farms packed with meat had to stop on the Jersey side of the Hudson River. The rail cars were then loaded onto barges via float bridges and the barges would be brought by tug boat across to New York. Each railroad operated a set of float bridges on the New York side to off load the barge and the rail cars were brought to their West side yard to be sorted into trains. The train would go onto the High Line loaded with meat cars for delivery in the meat packing district, flour, sugar and baking goods gor the Nabisco factory (now the Food Network studios) and other cars had needed supplies for businesses that kept New Yorkers fed. As the train met it's destination it would back into it's siding and drop the rail car. Then the train would move South to it's next delivery. Another engine would start off at the Southern most tip of the High Line picking up the empty rail cars and return them to the rail yard to be filled and transported over the river and to points West. The High Line was last used in 1980. Friends of The High Line championed the cause to preserve the structure and a part of New York's history. To date most of the High Line has been saved due to this fine group of people. CSX railroad, the owner of The High Line donated most of it to The City of New York. Mayor Michael Bloomberg got behind The Friends of The High Line and the structure is being renovated into an elevated public walking park. The only part of the High Line that is up in the air is the West Side Rail Yards at 34th street and South. On October 6th, 2007 Carol and I were luck to be able to tour this elevated structure. Only 175 tickets over two days of tours were distributed. There were over 5,000 requests. This was the first time anyone other than rail employees were allowed to walk the line. Carol and I would like to thank CSX, the Bloomberg administration, Friends of the High Line, and especially the fantastic volunteers who worked in the heat (wild weather for NY in October) to make this a very informative and fun day. Please support Friends of The High Line. They are helping to preserve New York and Railroad history.
422 files, last one added on Oct 07, 2007
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The High Line 2008
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During the last week in September, Friends of the High Line had a lottery of 700 tickets, each one a chance of a lifetime. A chance to be one of the chosen few to tour The High Line. Over 5,000 people entered, we lost. But thanks to Danya Sherman of Friends of The High Line, we were invited to photograph the Saturday at 1pm tour, as an update to last years site addition.
Carol and I want to extend our most sincere thanks to Danya and all the hard working volunteers at Friends of The High Line for not only giving us the opportunity to film, but for their dedicated work to save this part of New York, and Railroad history! Thank You All!
853 files, last one added on Oct 09, 2008
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Harmon Shops Open House 2008
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This was our second year attending the Harmon Shops open house. I was a little disappointed that they decided to hide the New York Central painted F Unit in the yard where it could not be seen. Considering the shops were the pride of the New York Central Line. Oh well, we still had a fun day. Met up with our friend Joe Krasko too! There was a pretty nice display of trains and all the kids (big and little) were thrilled.
There was a large train layout that everyone loved, along with 2 smaller ones. All of the shops were clean and well lit with parts of the different units laid out neatly on a cart. An assembled unit was next to it for people to see.
The Fall Foliage Train Ride was packing them in. Also, a small but important note.....
The MTA should invest in a new product just out on the matket for uhhhh 50 years or so? Buy some windex and paper towels! How can you load people in a train on a sunny day to take a short trip and view nature with train windows so dirty that half the photos had to be deleated? Com'on Metro North, I know it was a slip up but people who don't shoot 1,000 photos a day like me (OK so I'm Anal about it.... I admit it.) and go home with nothing to show their family and friends! I hope you clean them for your paid excursions, or you'd look really bad.
Overall, we really have no complaints. I'm just letting off steam cus there were no steam engines to do it for me! We had a great time and special thanks must go out to all the hard workers who spent time talking to people, demo'ing signals, relays, switches, and much more.
I also want to add that I was talking to one worker (will remain nameless) who ranted and raved about what a great guy the head of Harmon Shops is. He said the workers do their best because of his encouragement and leadership! WoW! Nice to know that there are people in the public sector who really do treat the workers as his own family.
909 files, last one added on Oct 12, 2008
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