Alexandria New York Central Depot Mid 1950s I have no recollection of this depot at all as I never rode the NYC north nor do I recall driving past it as a teen when I went to the skating rink in Alex. John Reehling mentions this station briefly in his memories. Ron Buser Collection And here is a drawing of the original plans for the station.
All the elements of small town mid-American railroading. Mainline track and what appears to be a siding or team track to the right and either an industry lead or junction going to the left and a boxcar sitting in a distant siding or team track. At least two baggage carts and it is a train order station.
Two of us were coming south with 125-130 cars in each train . I was behind and we both had a meet with the local at Alex . Now in the photo you are looking south . The local filled up the left track and came out with the left over cars that would not fit in the east or left track and put them in the west track including the power . They backed in and the brakeman lined the switch for the main on the west track and they told the first train to come on down they were in the clear . Well someone forgot the east switch and the first train headed in on the cut ,but they saw that the track was not lined for the main and almost got stopped . The crew contacted us and told us not to come down that they had a problem . The other train did hit the other cut but there was not any damage . They backed out and went on their way . They let us down after the other train had been gone 10 min. and to take it easy but everything was ok . This shows that you must always be checking yourself and these were good men . Today with just 2 men it is a full time job . One of the crew and I forget which train ,said we sure was glad you were not on the first train . I never asked why . LEW
