Labor Day has come and gone, schools have started back up again, and we find ourselves in the waning days of summer. The much-hyped transit “summer of hell†has also finished – and many seem to think it was a lot more swell than hell. For anyone with an interest in trains, it was always going to be rather swell. Amtrak would be making a return to New York City’s cathedral of railroading, Grand Central Terminal, after being gone for more than a decade. We welcomed the Empire Service trains with both open arms and camera shutters. I caught the trains in various locations along the reroute, and am presenting some of my favorite shots from the duration here. Until the next time…
The first revenue train heads into Grand Central, from Harlem 125th Street
Waiting for the first train, as it is recorded on non-Amtrak territory
Approaching the portal of the Park Avenue Tunnel
Remember NICK! Amtrak passes by what was NICK tower. After the Penn Central merger, the NYC’s NK (New yorK) tower was referred to as NICK to differentiate it from the Pennsy’s NK (NewarK) tower
Logo of the Empire Service in the Grand main concourse
Track Departure Board at Grand Central
We’re off! 235 departs the Terminal
Time to go! Assistant Conductor Darrell checks his watch
Boarding at Grand Central Terminal
On the departure board at Grand Central Terminal
Conductor Jim is ready to get underway
The crew of Train 235 pose next to the Grand Central platform sign
Empire Service logo in Grand Central
Ready to head out – Train 235 is ready for a 2:15 departure from Grand Central Terminal
Crowds mingle around the departure board listing Amtrak in the Terminal
Approaching Harlem 125th Street station
Approaching the Harlem River Lift Bridge from the Bronx
Crossing the Harlem River Lift Bridge
Passing Metro-North’s Highbridge Maintenance Facility, from the eponymous High Bridge
The maze of cars and tracks seen from the High Bridge
Rounding the curve at Marble Hill
Golden evening light on the curve at Marble Hill
Passing under the Broadway Bridge by Metro-North’s Marble Hill station
Leaving Marble Hill, with the famous Columbia C rock
Passing by Spuyten Duyvil and under the Henry Hudson Bridge
Passing the location of DV (spuyten DuyVil) tower, which was razed several years ago
Passing through Metro-North’s Spuyten Duyvil station
All done. The final Grand Central rerouted Amtrak train passes under the Broadway Bridge.
Agree with Michael! Lovely photo-documentation of this (sadly-) brief chapter including some great skies! Gee, the Genesis looks almost handsome in the newer livery with the smart black front! Your photos have inspired me to at least ride this line again on, if only on Metro North trains. Enjoying your posts, Emily!
It appears the service was popular. Too bad some trains couldn’t be permanently routed to GCT to help serve passengers and reduce congestion at Penna Station.
For the summer of 2018,the Lake Shore has been rerouted to Boston till sept.
the Amtrak P32’s now have front nose escape hatchs,there’s still 1 MARC cab car running around.
DV moveable bridge is getting long needed repairs,and the Rails in the Empire Tunnel are being replaced.
You compiled an amazing set of photos. It’s a great photo story and a well written piece!
Agree with Michael! Lovely photo-documentation of this (sadly-) brief chapter including some great skies! Gee, the Genesis looks almost handsome in the newer livery with the smart black front! Your photos have inspired me to at least ride this line again on, if only on Metro North trains. Enjoying your posts, Emily!
It appears the service was popular. Too bad some trains couldn’t be permanently routed to GCT to help serve passengers and reduce congestion at Penna Station.
For the summer of 2018,the Lake Shore has been rerouted to Boston till sept.
the Amtrak P32’s now have front nose escape hatchs,there’s still 1 MARC cab car running around.
DV moveable bridge is getting long needed repairs,and the Rails in the Empire Tunnel are being replaced.