G5s #39 Railfan Extra taking on water eastbound Ronkonkoma 6/05/1955 Archive: Dave Keller

H10s #107 and train of Tichy coaches at station platform – Mitchel Field – Westbury, NY – 10/26/52  (George E. Votava photo, Dave Keller archive)

Maintenance of Way Association Meeting in NY September 20, 1916

MOW Association Meeting NY-Trip Guide 09/20/1916
Archive: Steve Swirsky

Reverse side Trip Guide Map 09/20/1916
Archive: Steve Swirsky

This fantrip left Woodside and went east onto the Rockaway Beach Branch by WIN and went to Rockaway Park with a photo stop over the bay at The Raunt station. It changed ends at Rockaway Park, ran to Far Rockaway and Valley Stream via the hand-thrown switch at Hammel in a rare move, until the fire of 1950, and then went west over the Atlantic Branch through Cedar Manor and Locust Manor. Onward to Jamaica, the Morris Park Shops, Jamaica, west to WIN, changing directions to go east to Port Washington and finally changing ends for the last time to go back to Woodside. Info: Mike Boland

Fantrip at Locust Manor 10/31/1948 Archive: Mike Boland

Locust Manor 10/31/1948 Photo: Harold Smith Archive: Mike Boland

Fan Trip "Historians' Holiday" October 26, 1952
Long Island Railroader November 1952 - Archive: Dave Morrison

Fan Trip Cover  - 10/26/1952 Archive: Art Huneke

Fan Trip Printed Schedule - 10/26/1952 Archive: Art Huneke

The Special traveled from Jamaica to Valley Stream over the
Atlantic Branch which was still on the surface. This is the west
end of Valley Interlocking which was also still at ground level.
10/26/1952  Photo: Max Hubacher Archive: Art Huneke

Special being flagged over Hempstead Turnpike, West Hempstead
10/26/1952 Photo: Max Hubacher Archive: Art Huneke

Fan Trip Historians' Holiday Schedule - 10/26/1952 Archive: Jeff Erlitz

LIRR #107 passing under the EL at New Lots, Bay Ridge Branch Fantrip 10/26/1952
Archive: Art Huneke

Bay Ridge Yard - View W Fantrip 10/26/1952  Archive: Art Huneke

Railway and Locomotive Historical Society  - Greenport Special - June 13, 1953

ERA Rail Fan Special - October 31, 1954 - Bay Ridge Branch

LIRR G5s #50 trip to Vanderveer Park Passenger Extra
 at LI City 10/31/1954 Photo/Archive: Art Huneke

G5s #50 Bay Ridge Livonia Ave., New Lots 10/31/1954
Photo: George Votava Archive: Mike Boland

LIRR #50 trip to Vanderveer Park 10/31/1954
Photo: James J. Kelly

LIRR #50 G5s at Flatbush Ave - Vanderveer Park 10/31/1954
Photo/Archive: Art Huneke

LIRR G5s #50 Extra East arrives at Oyster Bay 10/31/1954
Photo/Archive: Art Huneke

ERA Rail Fan Special  - LIRR

H10s #111 became Extra #50 West
12/1954 LI Railroader page 5

Branford ERA G5s #39 Railfan Extra June 5, 1955 to Greenport

LIRR G5s #39 Railfan Special Excursion flyer 6/05/1955 Photo/Archive: Art Huneke

LIRR G5s #39 Railfan Extra trip ticket 6/05/1955 Photo/Archive: Art Huneke

G5s #39 Railfan Extra taking on water eastbound Ronkonkoma
6/05/1955  Archive: Dave Keller

LIRR G5s #39 Railfan Extra at Greenport turntable 6/05/1955

 
LIRR G5s #39 Railfan Extra at Greenport for coal top off prior
to return trip westbound View E 6/05/1955 Photo/Archive: Art Huneke

Completed in 1844, the Greenport Line was used as a connection to Boston via ferry. When the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad was built through Connecticut, the line became a local carrier only. Fast forward one hundred and eleven years, #39 would be the final steam locomotive to travel on this line. On June 5, 1955, the Long Island Railroad organized a fantrip from Jamaica to Greenport and back utilizing G5s #39, as she was recently overhauled. The train sold out, and plenty of railfans had their cameras in hand which is a big part as to why we have so may photos of #39! She is seen here on the Greenport turntable as many railfans look on. Note how the turntable is air powered, so the locomotive's brake line is attached. Railroad Museum of LI (RMLI) "Steam Up LIRR #39"   Photo: Roy W. Schnoor Archive: Dave Keller  

LIRR G5s #39 Railfan Extra at Mattituck View W 
6/05/1955 Photo/Archive: Art Huneke

LIRR G5s #39 Railfan Extra at Greenport after being turned on the table. View E 6/05/1955 
Photo/Archive: Art Huneke

Branford ERA Special  at Hicksville 6/05/1955 (Votava-Boland)

Fan Trip September 9th, 1956 RDC  - Bay Ridge Branch, Evergreen Branch, and West Hempstead Branch

ERA Fan Trip September 23rd, 1956 - MU's to Beach Branches

MU fantrip Brooklyn Manor station view N
9/23/1956 (Seibel-Boland)

MU fantrip Brooklyn Manor station view N
9/23/1956 (Seibel-Boland)

Fan Trip April 28th, 1957 RDC - Bushwick, Creedmoor, Old Northport, Oyster Bay, and Rockaway Beach Branches

BUDD RDCs running a railfan extra over the English Kills swing bridge on the Bushwick branch in Maspeth, NY on April 28, 1957  (Dave Keller archive)

The Transit Improvement Association (TIA) was mostly interested in promoting modern public transit – in decades when the highway folks were most influential. I believe they had begun in the late 30’s, gathering signatures on petitions to fight motorization of Third Ave Railways streetcar lines – making speeches on the cars, etc. In the late 40’s they ran PCC (Presidents’ Conference Committee) fan trips to parts of Brooklyn and Queens where those cars were not usually seen, to try to build support for more PCC’s. Publicizing the use of RDC’s would fit into that type of effort!

A round trip to Greenport would be a reasonably full plate for such a fantrip, so they very likely didn’t go anywhere else. RDC trips had already been run on many LIRR branches closer to the City – Bay ridge, Bushwick, Ozone Park, Degnon Terminal. Going all the way to Greenport would be attractive for the novelty,

In that period, the cost for a day’s charter of the RDC’s was modest - some $500, and the LIRR was quite reasonable about arranging routings. This at a time when most of the other RR’s in the NY area (especially the NY Central) were quite uncooperative in such things. Henry Raudenbush

Fan Trip Montauk RDC High Speed Rail Tour February 22, 1961

All material collection: 
Brad Phillips

Fan Trip RDC Movement Notice 2/22/1961

Fan rip RDC ticket 2/22/1961

LAWYERS CLUB OF BROOKLYN - SPECIAL EXCURSIONS September 27, 1961

Lawyers Club of Brooklyn Special Train - RS1 Extra at Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn
near Nostrand Avenue 7/27/1961 Archive: Mike Boland

Lawyers Club of Brooklyn Special - RS3 #1555 Extra eastbound at Sayville 7/17/1963
Photo: Norman Kohl Archive: John Scala

Lawyers Club of Brooklyn Special Flyer 7/27/1961
Archive: Brad Phillips

EQUIPMENT: One (1) 1000 HP Diesel engine, headed east, two (2) Parlor-Lounge cars (Onondaga Club east and Seneca Club) -one (1) Gondola (drop-end type No. W-33 and portable wooden platform) and one (1) caboose (No. 56) west. NOTE:  The Lounge portion of both Parlor-Lounge cars must be headed east.

Fan Trip LIRR Electric Inspection Tour October 21, 1961

LIRR Electric Inspection Tour - ERA 10/21/1961
Archive: Jeff Erlitz

LIRR - Progress of Electrification 9/151948 Archive: Jeff Erlitz
Note: Added here to show branch lines.

ERA fan trip at Clinton Rd. Station, Garden City 10/21/1961
Photo: Richard Adams Archive: Tim Darnell

ERA fan trip at Garden City Station,  10/21/1961
Photo: Richard Adams Archive: Tim Darnell

ERA fan trip at  Mitchel Field 10/21/1961
Photo: Richard Adams Archive: Tim Darnell

Fan Trip November 5, 1961 to Greenport

NRHS - LV Chapter Return Coupon11/05/1961  
Archive: Brad Phillips

LIRR RS3 #1560 Train at Yaphank 11/05/1961 View NW 
Archive: Dave Keller

3-car train eastbound at Yaphank behind LIRR  #1560 in the old color scheme. Note the two new P72 cars at the rear and the older combine. This photos were taken November 5, 1961 and yet the combine's door and windows are open. Yaphank Ave., crossing then at grade, is to the far left. You can make out the crossbucks when you zoom in on the photo above right. Info: Dave Keller

NRHS LUXURY EXCURSION  - Fan Trip September 30, 1962 to Montauk

Parlor Car Trip ticket 9/30/1962  Archive: Brad Phillips

A fan trip 9/30/1962 to Montauk. The consist was: FM #2404, Heavyweight parlors: "Tuscarora Club", "Commack", "Manhasset" and Observation car "Jamaica 1st".  Dave Keller

FM #2404 NRHS Special at Montauk 9/30/1962 Photo/Archive: John Scala

LIRR FM CPA-20-5 #2404 East Hampton 9/30/1962 Photo: James Gillin

LIRR FM CPA-20-5 #2404 East Hampton - View W 9/30/1962 Photo/Archive: Brad Phillips

Solid Parlor Car Train Flyer 9/30/1962
Archive: Jim Gillin

LIRR FM CPA-24-5 engine #2404, cars were Tuscarora Club, Manhasset, Commack, Jamaica. The whole train was turned, intact, on the wye at Montauk with a few feet to spare.  I remember being on the platform during the move and wondering whether we were going to have wet wheels on the tail of the wye!  Art Single

LUXURY EXCURSION TRIP ON THE LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD

Welcome aboard the New York Chapter, National Railway Historical Society’s all parlor car train to Montauk. You will be traveling by parlor car on the route of the “Cannon Ball”. Although special trains for fans have been run over this trackage before, none has been done with a train consisting of only parlor cars and the observation car Jamaica.

The Long Island Rail Road is unusual, in these times, in that it is one of the few railroads out seeking more passenger business. The emblem of “Dashing Dan”, the commuter, and that of the “Weekend Chief” both of which may be seen on the outside of the cars are indications of this. There is much summer traffic to the resort areas of Long Island, particularly along the south shore to places such as Fire Island and the Hamptons. Finding that some people prefer a luxury ride via parlor cars, the railroad has for the last few years been building up its fleet to handle the growing number of people who use them. These cars may be seen on practically all diesel powered trains running to the east end of the Island on a weekend, particularly on a Friday afternoon. By such heavy volume arose the ‘New” Cannon Ball whose first section during the summer could be seen often with 16 parlor cars plus the observation. Today’s trip will not be anywhere near as long as the summertime Cannon Ball, but the ride inside will be exactly the same.

The desire to provide better service is not always coupled with the financial ability to provide the equipment to do so, particularly if such service is only seasonal. Such is the case with the Long Island Rail road which must watch its pennies. Fortunately, at this time, other railways are curtailing passenger service and their equipment is being offered for sale at low cost. The LIRR has taken advantage of this situation and is adding to their fleet of parlor cars by purchasing second had but comfortable equipment. A list of all their parlor cars is included in this brochure.

YOUR ATTENTION  

Is directed to the following information as to how the trip may be made more pleasant for you.

1.    Porters are in each car for the convenience and service to you. They can readily provide refreshments of all sorts (Remember, we have a 12:00pm opening on Sundays in this state), but the cost of these together with gratuities are not included in the fare and must be settled individually.

2.   The buffet-diner will be open for dinner around noon. Second helpings are in order for those that desire them. The waiters will be glad to assist you in anyway, but here again tips are not included in the cost of the dinner so please take care of them individually.

3.    The observation car’s rear platform is open to all, so please you fresh air friends don’t camp out there for the whole trip. Someone also will be waiting to get their dose of air.

4.   Several stops to photograph the train will be made. Those desiring pictures are asked to disembark promptly so that pictures may be taken without people getting in the way of other’s cameras. These stops will be announced before hand.

5.   During the Montauk layover, ample opportunity will be provided for pictures of our own equipment as well as that which belongs to other trains. It is possible there will be a scheduled train leaving Montauk at 2:14pm. (A current timetable is not available at this writing) Undoubtedly, many people will want pictures of themselves on the observation platform (just like in the good old days) or perhaps in front of the locomotive, so it is requested that you “dyed in the wool” fans give them equal opportunity to do so.

6.   On the return, stops will be made at Babylon and Mineola for the benefit of those who don’t wish to ride all the way back to Jamaica.

7.   Following are some standard railroad safety rules which you might follow:
a. Never step on a rail; step over it.
b. Never cross tracks nearer than 20 feet from a standing car. 
c. Don’t try to board or alight from a moving train. 
d. Don’t crawl under cars, go around. 
e. Never run; always walk and pay attention to where you are going. 
f. Remember, safety first, always.

The trip committee sincerely hopes everyone has a pleasant journey and if there are any questions or problems, please let us know.

SCHEDULE

Lv Jamaica . . . . . . . . . . 9:25am

East Hampton
(photo stop)

Shinnecock
(movie run)

Ar Montuak . . . . . . . . . 12:24pm
Lv Montauk . . . . . . . . . . 3:00pm

Babylon
(for those that wish to leave)

Mineola
(for those that wish to leave)

Ar Jamaica . . . . . . . . . . . 5:21pm      This material was provided to the attendees.  Thanks to Art Single for providing this information.

Bike Hike May 5, 1963

The most interesting thing to see were the bikers.  While biking is all the rage now, it was an unusual sight back in 1963 to see several hundred people packing bikes on a train.  The bikes were carried in baggage cars and what a zoo at unloading time!  Newsday usually carried a long article in the following Monday paper with photos. The trains ran to both Montauk and Greenport over the years.

The train would run express from Jamaica to Southampton, let off bikers, and proceed to Montauk.  The bikers would than bike to Montauk for a late afternoon departure back to Jamaica. 

Back in 1962 I didn't have the $$ to ride a parlor car special.  The Bike-Hike train was pretty cheap as I recall, so made for a great fan trip (without the photo stops, though). Info/ticket: Brad Phillips

Bike-Hike FM #2404 RS3 #1556 Montauk 5/05/1963 
Photo: Brad Phillips

Bike-Hike FM #2404 Parlor Cars - Montauk 5/05/1963 
Photo: Brad Phillips

RDC Fan Trip June 23, 1963

RDC ERA fan trip schedule 6/23/1963
Archive: William Madden

RDC ERA fan-trip at Bay Ridge Yard - View E
6/23/196

The photo is from the 1963 (ERA) Electric Railroaders Assn. Budd Car RDC fan trip to Bay Ridge. The LIRR Marine Division (barges) ended in 1962 so the Bay Ridge Yard of the NY Connecting (Hells Gate) Railway yard shown was already abandoned. Notice the catenary wires still intact.  James Scullin
 

 Fan Trip October 13, 1963 NRHS Double Deck Rail Tour

Double Deck Rail Tour Schedule 10/13/1963 Archive: Brad Phillips

Ticket Double Decker Rail Tour 10/13/1963 Archive: Brad Phillips

Double Deck Rail Tour - Belmont 10/13/1963 (Maywald-Boland)

Double Deck Rail Tour - Port Washington 10/13/1963 Photo: MP70
Archive: Houser Collection - Paul De Luca 

"...The New York Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, will operate a de luxe special consisting of parlor cars, dining car, and an OPEN END PLATFORM OBSERVATION CAR. No coaches. All seats reserved. Porter on every car..." 

LIRR Luxury Excursion Parlor Car Train - NRHS 5/30/1964 Archive: Jeff Erlitz

Fan Trip November 1, 1964 BUDD RDC North Shore LIRR Rail Tour

End of line at Route 25A - Fort Salonga Rd. Fan trip RDC at
Old Northport - View S 11/01/1964 Photo: Brad Phillips

Route 25A - Fort Salonga Rd./Lincoln Ave. Fan trip RDC at
Old Northport - v\View SE  11/01/1964

 New York Railroad Enthusiasts April 24, 1966 

LIRR C420 #210 Garden Mitchell Field Secondary near Newsday 04/24/1966
Photo: James Gillin

LIRR 1966 Mineola Garden City Map

LIRR C420 #210 turned at Greenport 04/24/1966 
Photo: James Gillin

 LIRR #2038 Parlor "Setauket" at Greenport Station 
04/24/1966 Photo: James Gillin

Fan trip Lancaster Chapter- NRHS May 15, 1966 

ERA - OFF THE BEATEN TRACK -  November 19, 1967

Announcing an unusual inspection trip over electrified and non-electrified lines of the Long Island Rail Road QFF THE BEATEN TRACK in Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

The special train will leave Jamaica and proceed to Port Jefferson, Mineola, Garden City, Long Island City and Bushwick. Among the unusual trackage to be covered will be the Port Jefferson Branch, Kings Park State Hospital spur, the freight-only Old Northport trackage, the soon to be abandoned freight line between Garden City and Mineola, the seldom traveled Old Montauk Division between Jamaica and Long Island City and the industrial and unique Bushwick Branch.  Archive: Electric Railroaders Association

The 11/19/1967 ERA trip with the RDCs (left) was cancelled because of their collision at Holbrook one month before the trip. It was replaced with this trip, same date below. Jeff Erlitz

Nice shot, nice train composed of RS3 1555, two P72s, an American Flyer Osgood-Bradley car (either from B&M or BAR), apparently a 28-1 parlor car and open-end observation car SETAUKET.

ERA Fantrip passing Mt. Olivet - 11/19/1967 Photo: Frank Zahn Archive: Mike Boland
 

ERA fantrip - 11/19/1967 Archive: Bill Madden

 BR&W Steam #60 Railfan Extra  - November 26, 1967

LIRR's one and only Steam Excursion (in the post-steam era). On November 26, 1967, LIRR ran a steam excursion from Jamaica to Montauk and return. This excursion was sponsored by Ron Ziel, and ran with Black River & Western 2-8-0 No. 60. There were about 15 cars including PB54 combines bracketing a string of P54 coaches and a bar car, and trailing a LIRR parlor and Ziel's Sag Harbor & Scuttle Hole open end observation car. The train ran east via Hicksville and west via Valley Stream. I rode the trip (at age 14) and took some photos. First at Jamaica, a West Islip water stop, a Southampton coal stop, and finally arriving at Montauk. James Mardiguian

Saturday evening, at the Morris Park Shops under floodlights, on November 25th, 1967,
BR&W #60 awaits the morning departure of the "Steam-In" excursion to
Montauk from Jamaica.   Richard Glueck

Black River & Western Bellport 11/26/1967 Photo/Archive: Brad Phillips

Black River & Western Steam Trip - Observation car "Halvpalm" at Brookhaven - View E 11/26/1967 Photo/Archive: Brad Phillips

Black River & Western #60 at Southampton Station to take coal.
11/26/1967 Photo/Archive: James Mardiguian

 
Black River & Western #60 Montauk Wye Archive: Dave Keller
 Note: The observation tail sign reads: "Sag Harbor & Scuttle Hole Rail Road Steam-In."

The trip only ran once on Sunday November 26th, 1967.  I was a volunteer car host on the trip in the very last coach.  There were several photo stops along the route and, as my coach had very few passengers, I was able to get a few photos.

They took paying passengers from East Hampton to Montauk and return.  I helped collect tickets as there was a huge crowd that boarded in East Hampton; we never did get them all!

The train died on the return trip at the Montauk Highway bridge in Massapequa Park. We sat for probably two hours. Living in Amityville, I literally could have detrained and walked home within 30 minutes (I was sorely tempted after an hour sitting in an unheated coach). We all were curious about the delay, but no word was passed.  I later was told that the last load of coal was bad and that the clinkers(1) won out.  I hadn’t heard about a calculated stall. Very interesting. If that was so, they could have done a better job of positioning a diesel to enable a faster recovery. 
 
I didn’t get back home until after midnight. Never-the-less, it was a great (and historic) trip and a lot of fun to have been part of the crew.  Brad Phillips

Note 1: A clinker is actually a hunk of carbon which forms a mass large enough to impede the proper combustion in the firebox. In coal firing they are in the coal bed and can form on the tube sheet in a configuration somewhat like a honeycomb. If unattended to the fire then hits this growing mass and deflects making firing difficult.

The October trip, as told, by the late Stu McCloud, who had been a LIRR Road Foreman of Engines and worked his way higher up into management as follows:

Stu indicated there were lots of Transportation Department Staff and other managers that did not want this steam engine to be brought onto the LIRR. The reasons were many, but I don't recall the reasoning. Anyway, Stu was either the engineer on the run or he was in the cab as an official.

Stu told me he was under orders to "Give the fans a nice trip, BUT don't allow that engine to come back to Jamaica under steam." He stated the trip ran fine, but on the way back to Jamaica, he assured that the engine died and had to be hauled dead to Jamaica. Stu said that the feelings on the "Third Floor" were this would be the last time that steam would ever run again on the LIRR.

This is my best recollection of what Stu McCloud (RIP) told me. And now you know the rest of the story... Dave Morrison

ERA - OFF THE BEATEN TRACK -  April 21, 1968

Announcing an unusual inspection trip over electrified and non-electrified lines of the Long Island Rail Road OFF THE BEATEN
TRACK in Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

The special train will leave Woodside and proceed to Shea Stadium where we will enter the remains of the long-abandoned Whitestone Branch, Among the unusual trackage to be covered will be the Central Islip State Hospital, freight-only Montauk Cut-Off, little used Montauk Branch between Long Island City and Jamaica, and the freight-only Camp Upton Junction Branch.  A HIGH-SPEED run to Greenport on the Main Line will be a highlight.  Many interesting and unusual photo stops and movie runs have been planned. The open platform private car SETAUKET will bring
up the rear of the train, The days of varnish and railroad barons will be relived with this splendid car that brings back memories of the days of old.
Archive: Electric Railroaders Association

ERA fantrip OFF THE BEATEN TRACK eastbound at POND - 4/21/1968  Photo: Randy Curlin Archive: Tim Darnell

ERA M1 RAILFAN EXTRA -  April 20, 1969 

ERA Fan trip "Extra Montauk East" - Oyster Bay & Montauk November 9, 1969 

The consist of the excursion special train included Century 420 locomotive 228, the former B&O bedroom lounge observation, the two former Union Pacific club lounge cars, two former Kansas City Southern coaches, two unidentified cars (can't get a good look at them in any of the photos) and the former FEC tavern lounge observation.   Info: Jack Deasy

Greenport & Shelter Island Express - All Parlor flyer - May 17, 1970

ERA fan trip handout/schedule
7/17/1970 Archive: Bill Madden/Jeff Erlitz

Farewell to the Doubledeck -  May 8, 1971 

"Farewell to the Doubledeck" flyer 5/08/1971 Archive: Brad Phillips

This 4-car train of Double Deckers was on a fantrip, and I was there. The train made a tour of electrified trackage, and this was the one and only time such stock traversed the Port Jeff branch. That was on 8 May, 1971. The location shown is Robbins Lane, Syosset where the Landia Plant of the Fairchlld Camera and Instrument Co. was located. They (the camera people) urged the LIRR to build a station there halfway between Hicksville and Syosset, when they built their new huge plant there. Most of the employees lived in Queens, where the old plant was, which the company outgrew and the new plant then consolidated everything under one roof. Four trains a day stopped there, but traffic dwindled as people moved to the Island. When the M1's and high level platforms (and third rail to this location) were coming, the station was abandoned rather than go to the expense of high platforms. Karl Groh  Archive: Joe Testagrose

Halloween Excursion - October 31, 1971

The date is Saturday June 17, 1973 and the 5 car train is photographed at the Long Island City yard. The consist is Alco RS-3 locomotive 1556, the former B&O bedroom lounge observation (2001 AMAGANSETT), a former UP club lounge car (either 2072 TUCKAPAUSHA or 2073 TUCKAHOE), a former EL “Phoebe Snow” tavern lounge observation (either 2081 AQUEBOGUE or 2082 ASHAROKEN), and two other cars. Photo by Steve Zabel. Collection of Joe Testagrose.

Research courtesy: John Deasy

ERA Farewell to the Ping Pong - May 11, 1974

The first part of the trip will take the P-54's to unfamiliar territory--the electrified Long Beach, West Hempstead and Brooklyn lines. With an RS-1 diesel locomotive on each point, the excursion will pause for memorable photos on the Reynolds Channel Bridge, the Vanderbilt Avenue Yard, Flatbush Avenue Terminal and the elevated line to Brooklyn.  To complete the excursion, the train will make a round trip on the scenic Port Jefferson branch--a farewell.

New York Railroad Enthusiasts June 22, 1975 

I recall reading (at a friend’s home) an article in the June 21 (1975) edition of Newsday about the excursion, and headed out to Montauk the following morning to investigate for myself.  Sure enough…in the consist of a regularly-scheduled weekend train (positioned at the easternmost end) were the three cars mentioned in the newspaper – Pins’ “signature” Pennsylvania 120 and his (then-recent acquisition) Shenandoah, along with the NYRE’s own private car, Eugene Field. Info: Ed Frye

I photographed the train from the roof of Jamaica station on 6/20/1975. Here's that shot. That's George Pins' 120 (I believe it was called the Queen Mary) on the rear.

This was Friday June20th, 1975. My recollection is that the PV's were on the rear of the Advance Cannonball -old train #12. I rode the train to Jamaica, but I find it amazing that I was able to get to the roof of Jamaica so quickly from track 8.
Info/Photo: Richard F. Makse

George Pins-owned Shenandoah, ex-B&O 10-roomette, 6-double-bedroom sleeper 7053, ex-C&O 2655 City of Petoskey, nee-C&O 2655 City of Athens (P-S 1950). Car was painted Tuscan Red to coincide with the livery of Pennsylvania 120. Research/Photo: Ed Frye

New York Railroad Enthusiasts 1456 Eugene Field. Formerly Nord Photo Engineering 1456 Silver Messenger (rebuilt to a 4-double-bedroom lounge configuration, and operated as a mobile classroom/product demonstration car); nee-Frisco 14-roomette, 4-double-bedroom sleeper Eugene Field (road number 1456). According to David Randall (RPC Publications), this car also operated in the 1978 “Chessie Steam Special” as a dormitory for concession personnel). New York Railroad Enthusiasts returned the car to its Frisco heritage, namely in the letterboard, nameboard, and (1456) road number. Research/Photo: Ed Frye

 
For your reference, I reproduced an image (from Wayner’s Pullman and Private Car Pictorial) of Eugene Field as it
appeared under the ownership of Nord Engineering (renamed Silver Messenger).  Research/Photo: Ed Frye

Gas Turbine/Electric Special -   November 13, 1977 

"Gas Turbine/Electric Special"  11/13/1977  Archive: Brad Phillips

"Gas Turbine/Electric Special" flyer 11/13/1977 
Archive: Brad Phillips

 
ERA  "Gas Turbine/Electric Special" souvenir coupon
NY Penn and Calverton round trip 11/13/77  Archive: Bill Mangahas


ERA  "Gas Turbine/Electric Special" fantrip schedule
11/13/1977  Archive: Bill Mangahas

Electric Railroaders' Association - Push-Pull Special  March 22nd, 1980

ERA fantrip schedule 3/22/1980  Archive: William Mangahas

ERA fantrip ticket 3/22/1980 Archive: Brad Phillips

Electric Railroaders' Association Special  April 7th, 1984

Jamaica start of trip April 7, 1984 - Photo/Archive: William Mangahas

Garden City Secondary - Meadowbrook station platform remains (Info: Dave Keller)
April 7, 1984 View W  Photo/Archive: William Mangahas

Montauk - April 7, 1984 - Photo/Archive: William Mangahas

LIRR G5s #39 Fund Special Excursion October 5, 1985
Photos/Archive: John Fusto, except as noted 

Excursion Ticket 10/05/1985  Archive: William Mangahas

LIRR Excursion Flyer 10/05/1985 

FA2 power car #602 led, C420s #222-226 exists 3/4 mile tunnel on former
4-track Bay Ridge Branch 10/05/1985.
Photo: Jay Bendersky  Archive: William Mangahas

Bay Ridge - Oct 5, 1985
Photo/Archive: William Mangahas
 

LIRR ALCO C420 # 222, 226 run-by at Forest Park
10/05/1985 - Photo/Archive: William Mangahas
 

LIRR ALCO FA2 #602 at Forest Park
10/05/1985 - Photo/Archive: William Mangahas

LIRR G5s #39 Fund Special Excursion June 7, 1986
Photos/Archive: John Fusto, except as noted 

 
"Railfantastic Excursion" flyer - 6/07/1986 Archive: Brad Phillips


Special Train Excursion Ticket - 6/07/1986 Archive: William Mangahas

Electric Railroaders' Association Bay Ridge Special October 18, 1986

ERA Special Train ticket 10/18/1986 Archive: William Mangahas

LIRR G5s #39 Fund Special Excursion November 15, 1986
Photos/Archive: John Fusto, except as noted

 LIST Heritage Special May 14, 1988
Photos/Archive: John Fusto, except as noted

"Heritage Special" flyer 5/14/88 
Archive: Brad Phillips

Archive: John Fusto

LIST  Freight Branch Excursion September 10, 1989  - "Caboose Coach trip"
LIRR maps by Jeff Erlitz and Bill Madden c.1970s Info: Richard F. Makse

LIST Freight Branch Excursion 09/10/1989 
Mixed Train Announcement Mailer Archive: John Fusto

LIRR SW103 at Yard A. On the way to the Garden-Mitchel Field Secondary, the train stopped behind Morris Park and swapped SW103 for the FA609 and C-420s #225 & 229. (photos below)
Photo: John Fusto 

The trip consist was as follows: cabooses #64, 56, 65 & 51 then the two coaches #2913, 2975, then cabooses #62, 50, 70 & 63 and finally the LIRR SW103, LIRR FA ALCO #609, LIRR ALCO C420 #229, 225  Info: John Fusto

Run engine around to W/E (reverse the train) Leave 9:05AM
Photo/Archive: JJ Earl

Photo: John Fusto 

Degnon Terminal 1989

This trip also had a "runby" into/out of the Degnon terminal. The engine couldn't get the train out of Degnon, however, so they had to double the hill! Attached is a pic (though the vantage point isn't great) of this move. This was the last move into Degnon, as the switch was removed shortly afterwards. John Fusto

Fresh Pond Map: Jeff Erlitz

New York Cross Harbor Interchange Photo: John Fusto 

  Bushwick Branch Terminal 

Eastbound on the Bushwick Branch
Photo: John Fusto 

Bushwick Branch Lead - Fresh Pond Secondary

Eastbound West Yard approaching "Pond Tower" passing under NYCTA
Myrtle Ave line NYCRR  trestle in the distance Photo: John Fusto 

LIRR #229, 225, 609  Clinton Rd, Garden City 09/10/1989
Photo: Al Castelli They were repainted for that trip in August 8/89 Retired by 11/01/89 

LIRR #229, 225, 609  Run-by Clinton Rd, Garden City 09/10/1989 Photo: John Fusto

New Haven FL-9 to Ronkonkoma 1989

Ronkonkoma NH EMD FL-9 #2023-2006 -  View E - 1989 Photo/Archive: Dan Marra

NH EMD FL-9's #2006-2023 at Ronkonkoma Station platform  - 1989 Photo/Archive: Dan Marra

Connecticut Cannonball October 27, 1990

LIST-NRHS Danbury-Waterbury Branches CT  "Connecticut Cannonball" 10/27/1990
Photo: Gene Collora Archive: Mike Boland

Waterbury Station, CT-  LIST trip 10/271/990  Photo/Archive: Steve Rothaug

Trip chairman and LIST VP Gene Collora obtained approval of both Amtrak and MetroNorth to run a train over the Hellgate Bridge and on to the Danbury and Waterbury Branches. MetroNorth had visited the LIRR earlier so perhaps it was time for the LIRR to do some visiting off Long Island. This was the first time a complete train of LIRR passenger equipment, including push-pull parlor cars, operated on "foreign" rails.

Coach tickets were $45 and parlor car seats were $90; a box lunch was sold aboard for passengers. The train, as scheduled, ran on Saturday, October 27, 1990 with photo stops and run-bys scheduled. This was quite an accomplishment and a large undertaking proving to be a huge success and provided a landfall of money for the LIST-NRHS chapter. Mike Boland

SW1001-102-104-Harold Protect Engines C61 P72-Cars LIST Fan Trip Greenport October 3, 1992 

 Harold Protect Engines #102, #104 Fan Trip Greenport 10/03/992 Photo: Joe Sam

LIRR #104 Bethpage 10/03/1992 Photo: Kevin Gulau

Harold Protect Engines #102, #104 Fan Trip 10/03/992 Laying up Greenport

Fan Trip Harold Protect Engines #102, #104, C61 Greenport 10/03/992

LIST Dover Plains Limited October 16, 1993

LIST Announcement Dover Plains Limited 10-16-93

 Dover Plains 10-16-93 Photo: John Fusto

Dover Plains LIRR #607  10/16/1993 Photo: Joe Hagan

Dover Plains Joe 'Pappy' Hagan 10/16/1993 Photo: Joe Hagan

Dover Plains Limited LIRR #607 Hell Gate approach return trip
10/16/1993 Photo/Archive: Bill Mangahas

Dover Plains LIRR #607 MetroNorth FL9AC #2007 10/16/1993 Photo: Joe Hagan

Dover Plains LIRR #607 Harold Fagerberg 10/16/1993 Photo: Joe Hagan

Ms. Valerie Stillman and Amtrak official F. Clarke Hampe on the platform of CANNON BALL during the 160th anniversary special train’s layover at Greenport on July 23, 1994. Photo: Valerie Stillman

LIRR 160th anniversary special train arrival at Greenport 7/23/1994.  LIRR locomotive #259, with the Cannonball” herald, and #266 prior to running around to the west end of the consist for the return trip.
Archive: Mike Boland

The NRHS National Directors Convention was held at Ronkonkoma. (Holiday Inn on Veterans Highway) south of the station. It was a three day affair. Mr. Prendergast, LIRR President in 1994, addressed the membership on one of evenings at the Holiday Inn. On the 11th, the trip took us to the Hillside shops, Wreck Lead, W. Babylon via Babylon Branch, returned to KO via the Central Branch to "B" and on to KO via the Main. Info: Joe Hagan

MP15AC #154 LIST fantrip at ex-NYC signal-bridge Hudson Division, Beacon
 ready to depart for Maybrook Line.   5/04/1996 Archive: Mike Boland
 

MP15AC #154 LIST fantrip at CP HOPE, Hopewell Jct. yard.
5/04/1996 Archive: Mike Boland

MP15AC #154 LIST fantrip - The last photo stop of the day along Whaley Lake
west of Danbury, CT.  5/04/1996 Archive: Mike Boland

LIST-NRHS Mixed Freight  - April 17, 1999

Semaphore May 1999 - LIST-NRHS - LIRR Mixed Freight Fantrip 4/17/1999

Mixed Freight Fantrip flyer/ticket 4/17/1999

LI City after the run-around LIRR FA1 #614,
MP15AC #171, and GP38-2 #260

The three engine lash-up enroute runby

Material/Photos/Archive: Steve Torborg

Stopping at the former Holban Yard, a crew of LIRR inspectors demonstrated how trucks and wheelsets are repaired out along the ROW in an emergency situation. Robert Schwenker, in yellow garb, and Mike Shurman, are seen performing the demonstration. On hand was the MOW 03F freight wreck and commodity welder wreck truck to facilitate the repair. Photo/Archive: Steve Torborg Info: Robert Schwenker    Holban Yard truck repair - 4/17/1999

ERA Special September 25, 1999

ERA Special fantrip LI City
9/25/1999

ERA Special fantrip Shea Stadium
9/25/1999

ERA Special fantrip Auburndale Station
9/25/1999


ERA Special fantrip Richmond Hill
9/25/1999

ERA Special fantrip Richmond Hill sign
9/25/1999

ERA Special fantrip Richmond Hill yard
9/25/1999

ERA Special fantrip Babylon
9/25/1999

The ERA Special on 9/25/1999. They were letting us off for a runby. Sun didn't work for me, so I ran out to where photo #2 was taken. The Geeps would not fit under the Station Canopy so we were not able go any further. The crew member with the blue shirt is the machinist who rode along to ensure FA #614 was operable. Before the trip he had to get FA #614 running. It ran fine and was sent to the Main Line for the Greenport Scoot after our trip.

NYCRR Historical Society - June 17, 2000

"Queens Ledger" July 6, 2000:

Railroad Fans Visit New York & Atlantic Railway

Over one hundred railroad historians from all over the country met at the Glendale yard of New York & Atlantic Railway on Saturday, June 17. The occasion was the annual meeting of the New York Connecting Railroad Society. The main interest of this group is the rail route, built in 1917, which crosses over the Hell Gate Bridge from the Bronx to Queens. The tracks soar over Astoria on a high viaduct, and then continue through Woodside, Maspeth, and Middle Village using a series of smaller bridges and tunnels. The main junction is in Glendale at the rail yard on Otto Road. The tracks then travel into Brooklyn and eventually end at the waterfront in Bay Ridge, near 65th Street.

This rail route is used by many freight trains each day. It passes through one of the most densely populated urban areas in the world, and yet trains go virtually unnoticed. This is because the route was thoughtfully constructed without any grade crossings to delay traffic.

As part of the festivities, the New York & Atlantic Railway operated a special inspection train to Bay Ridge. Two bright green locomotives, a passenger coach, and a caboose carried the participants on a 22-mile round trip to Bay Ridge. The train posed for photos at many scenic locations along the way. The weather was hot and humid, but everybody aboard had a great time.  Submitted by: Bernard Ente

June 17, 2000, Queens, NY:

Saturday and the New York Connecting Railroad (NYCRR) Fan Trip over the New York & Atlantic had arrived.  And a HOT one it was; with temperatures hovering in the mid to high 90's. Seems the weatherman had saved his best NY City "dog days" three "H" special combination; hot, humid, and hazy, for us. Steve Lynch

Farewell to the M1 Fantrip November 4, 2006

M1 #9609 Farewell Trip East Williston view N 11/04/2006
Archive: Matt Kobel

M1 #9609 arriving Penn Station 11/04/06 
Photo: Gary Chatterton

LIRR #160 at Jamaica Station 11-04-06

LIST Fantrip Bay Ridge Branch - June 2, 2007

LIST fantrip June 2, 2007 that ran from POND down the Bay Ridge Branch to 65th Street. Power
was NYA MP15AC's 159/151 with NYA’s P72 coach. All units ex-LIRR. Archive: Mike Boland

The surviving shop buildings and roundhouse will soon be torn down in favor of a new yard facility.  A wye will replace the turntable and separate maintenance "sheds" will replace the roundhouse.  Provisions have already been put in place for tearing down the crew facilities (Engine house, Foreman's office, Hostler's room, bathrooms and MofE crew rooms).  Two large trailers have been delivered recently and will replace the aforementioned quarters. The building directly behind the roundhouse is next to be demolished.  No dates as to when any of this will happen, but it will be in the distant future.

      Photo: Steven Lynch c.1985

View westbound of tunnel under 121st Street

SAFE RELIABLE CLEAN
LOCOMOTIVES AND SHOPS
Safety Stencil on Morris Park Shops brick wall
 

The Morris Park Shop turntable remains

LIRR FA2 #608 Renumbered #3100, 1991 provided HEP to the C-1 bilevels before the FL9AC's arrived on property. This end coupled to the engine.

Sanding tower remains

175th Fantrip July 25, 2009

Greenport turntable 175th Fantrip 7/25/2009 Photo: Al Castelli 

New York and Atlantic Railway Bay Ridge Tunnel Tour - April 15, 2016

Bay Ridge Tunnel Tour on April 15, 2016, the New York and Atlantic Railway hosted a pair of Inspection Trains on the Bay Ridge Branch.  Using newly arrived Progress Rail PR20B NYA #300 and caboose #52, guests were taken for a rare trip from the Maspeth Yard to the New York New Jersey Rail interchange.  A photo stop was made at the exit to the tunnel, giving the participants a chance see the vintage architecture up close. Info/Photos/Archive:  River Rail - Marc Glucksman

A previous fan trip sponsored by the New York Connecting Railroad Society on 6/17/2000.  Here we see NYA #261 emerging from under the Cemetery of the Evergreens into daylight and Brooklyn, under the Atlantic Ave 1914 Grade Crossing Elimination Project.   Note the build date of "1914" under the signal. Photo/Archive: Steven Lynch

Greenport Fantrip  - October 16, 2021

Riverhead LIRR train #6201 - View N at Griffing Ave, Riverhead. The drumhead was probably placed on the train when it was made up in Morris Park 10/16/2021 Photo/Archive: Dave Barraza

Greenport trip at Railroad Avenue and Roanoke Avenue, Riverhead heading east towards Greenport on Saturday at 10:25 AM. 10/16/2021 Photo/Archive: Neil Feldman