Someone asked me if I had any info on an abandoned commuter line through Yonkers, NY. They mentioned it was near Central Ave. I can only think of the old NYC Putnam Division, but I can't say that was anywhere near Central Ave. Ya out there Fitz??????? LOL. I'm not sure where to turn on this one............ It must have been a NYC line...........
John, Yes, there were Put commuters that ran into Yonkers, but off the Put's mainline. My brother has many, many years of the NYC Historical Society Bulletins (Headlight?) and I remember reading an article about that branch. I can't possibly tell you where the stations were, but the total length of the run was only about 10-11 miles to High Bridge. I do remember that the article said a steamer and two cars were stored overnight at the far end of the Yonkers line on weekdays to provide for the first inbound run in the morning. The article I remember was about an incident where the fireman didn't bank the fire properly the night before. When he and the engineer arrived in the morning, they had barely time to re-build the fire and raise just enough steam to get the loco moving into the first station. They then left that station (on time) with less than 75 pounds steam pressure and blowing more water out the stack than steam, but they made the run to High Bridge station on schedule! The loco was finally at full pressure when they finished the run at High Bridge. I don't remember in what issue the article was printed, but I think it was sometime in the late 70's or early 80's if that helps
Hank, you are saying that the Putnam had a branch commuter line off the main? That's interesting. I've never done any research on the Putnam. It's a RAILS-TO-TRAILS now! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
John, if you can find a NYC Historical Society member in the New York area who has saved his/her bulletins, you would have a wealth of info on all Central history, including the Put. I would be happy to help you with the research, but unfortunately my brother and I are separated by 1800 miles Why don't you see if Charlie (or somebody) would move this topic to the NYC Forum in Fallen Flags? Maybe an NYCHS member in your area would see it and give you a holler ... ? [ 01 January 2002: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]
Johnny and Hank, there has been a great deal of discussion on the "Put" over on rr net lately. I would go there and they have a search box. Just type in Putnam and see what comes up. A couple of months ago there was a real long thread on it. I'm ashamed to say I know nothing about it. New York Central, RR net
Fitz, thanks for that link (I think?). I got lost in that forum reading about the NYC in southern New York State for over three hours That's a neat Forum ... OOPS, Sorry Charlie, I didn't mean any disrespect [ 02 January 2002: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]
Hank, that board is entirely different from this one, but certainly is a great source of New York Central history. A lot of the contributors are NYC veterans, and they use a lingo I don't understand, but they sure know a lot about the old railroad. I enjoy that site very much. Again, Charlie , no reflection on what you have here. This is still the best all-around site on the net. There are other useful ones around, however.
