I love reading threads like this. Great stories and anecdotes. Other than Peter's by line, the Putnam was a blind spot.
prrhorseshoecurve posted:So were exactly in Lake Mahopac did the Put meet up with the Metro North Harlem line?
PRR;
I’m by no means an expert on the Old Put, but if I understand your question correctly, the answer is - it didn’t. The Put continued on to Brewster where it met up with the NYC Harlem Line. There was a branch of the Put which ran from Lake Mahopac to Goldens Bridge on the NYC Harlem Line. Both Goldens Bridge and Brewster are stops on Metro-North’s Harlem Line.
Here is a Line to a Wiki page on the Put - there is a list of the stops included in the article.
The simple answer is never. Rails to Lake Mahopac were abandoned before Metro North was created.
IF you are thinking historically, here's a brief summary. To reslly understand this, you should refer to the 1928 topo map. Here's the link docs.unh.edu/NY/cfls44nw.jpg - the NW segment of the Croton Falls quadrangle.
On the Punam Division, thre was a station in Mahopac. The 1905 employee timetable shows "Harlen R.R. Crossing" 1.15 miles south of Mahopac station.There was a branch of the Harlem Line from Golden's Bridge to Lake Mahopac, crossing the "Put" at that location. It's original station in Mahopac (named "Lake Mahopac") was at a somewhat lower level slightly to the west of Mahopac on the PUT.
So than, I guess the proper terminology would be The Lake Mahopac Branch of the NYC Harlem Line???
The Golden's Bridge branch line connected Golden's Bridge on the Harlem Line with Lake Mahopac on the Putnam Division. The branch actually met the Put at XC which was between Bucks Hollow Rd and Rt 6.
What makes that an unusual photo is the IC box car on the team track. at a time when there was very little freight traffic north of Elmsford.
Paul,
Interesting...this photo came up on another topic and I thought it was Briarcliff Manor and said so (but then had doubts that it might be Nepperhan). Thanks for confirming.
Tom
MNCW posted:Paul,
Interesting...this photo came up on another topic and I thought it was Briarcliff Manor and said so (but then had doubts that it might be Nepperhan). Thanks for confirming.
Tom
If you walk around the back of the Briarcliff Manor Library, those stairs and handrails are still there amidst the shrubs. I don't think Nepperhan Station had stairs.
wow, had no idea I was riding my bike on the old NYC Putnam line, I've taken it countless times up to Brewster. such great scenery and cool to know what the station at Van Cortlandt park looked like.
NYC Fan posted:MNCW posted:Paul,
Interesting...this photo came up on another topic and I thought it was Briarcliff Manor and said so (but then had doubts that it might be Nepperhan). Thanks for confirming.
Tom
If you walk around the back of the Briarcliff Manor Library, those stairs and handrails are still there amidst the shrubs. I don't think Nepperhan Station had stairs.
Yes Skip...the more I thought about it, the more stupid I felt. I think Nepperhan had the station and freight house on the same side (I think on the west side of the tracks). 
Tom
Paul,
The photo you posted is dated 1999. I wonder if it still looks this way today. I think it's actually a good thing if the track is still in place and it looks as shown.
MELGAR
MELGAR posted:Paul,
The photo you posted is dated 1999. I wonder if it still looks this way today. I think it's actually a good thing if the track is still in place and it looks as shown.
MELGAR
Interesting question, MELGAR... maybe Tom (@MNCW) has some more recent info. While I understand the Rails-to-Trails movement, I agree that keeping some old trackage intact is worthwhile, especially from a historic perspective.
Hi Paul (& all), Last that I knew after the year 2000, maybe 2005, there was still a small section of the Put up in Brewster. I believe Metro-North used it to move equipment around in the yard. So, it wasn't saved for historical reasons, instead it was considered active.
Tom
I forgot about this thread......loved re-reading it. Thanks for resurrecting it!
The book recommendations I made on page 1 still stand......
Peter
MNCW posted:Hi Paul (& all), Last that I knew after the year 2000, maybe 2005, there was still a small section of the Put up in Brewster. I believe Metro-North used it to move equipment around in the yard. So, it wasn't saved for historical reasons, instead it was considered active.
Tom
Thanks Tom... figures you’d have some insight. Glad to see some history remains for any reason.
Putnam Division posted:I forgot about this thread......loved re-reading it. Thanks for resurrecting it!
The book recommendations I made on page 1 still stand......
Peter
Peter;
This Forum is almost as good as my ex-wife at spending my money (like I need any help!!!) 
I picked up the three Old Put volumes at the Danbury RR Museum last year - two are signed by the author, and I picked up Tom’s wonderful volume at one of the White Plains Train Shows. After reviewing your recommendations, I just found two of your suggestions on Amazon for a reasonable price - more reading material!!!
Paul,
I believe the first Joe Schiavone Put book had the DVD that should have accompanied it, "Walk the Put." The video was nicely done by Brian Vangor, who was the videographer. Brian filmed Joe (and others) as each stop and some extra areas were covered from Van Cortland Park to Brewster. If you didn't get the DVD (and want one) let me know before you show up at the next White Plains show and I can give you one. I think it was the first Put book also (The Old Put, if I recall correctly) where there is a hand-drawn picture of my Yard Limit sign.
Tom
MNCW posted:Paul,
I believe the first Joe Schiavone Put book had the DVD that should have accompanied it, "Walk the Put." The video was nicely done by Brian Vangor, who was the videographer. Brian filmed Joe (and others) as each stop and some extra areas were covered from Van Cortland Park to Brewster. If you didn't get the DVD (and want one) let me know before you show up at the next White Plains show and I can give you one. I think it was the first Put book also (The Old Put, if I recall correctly) where there is a hand-drawn picture of my Yard Limit sign.
Tom
Tom;
Wow... that would be great!!! The volumes I purchased were in like-new condition, but obviously gently used... unfortunately, there was no DVD and I’d love to pick up a copy. @MELGAR mentioned doing another trip to WP, and with repaired knees, I would probably find it more pleasant!!! (I’ll still probably borrow your extra chair).
Found this in Vol. 1... I assume it is what you were referencing:
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That was one of the drawings, but there was another one too (I think). It might be in the second one that he mentions it's with a good friend or something like that.
Tom
Apples55 posted:A really cool shot from my Facebook feed today... the caption reads:
”NYC F12 class 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler steam locomotive # 1244, is seen hauling a passenger train at Yorktown Heights, New York, 07-20-1951, NYC Putnam Division........if only the Put survived thru to Metro-North, would be nice to have a Metro-North Putnam Line, GCT to Mahopac, or even Brewster and Southeast via the Put........what could've been!!!! Train Man Paul collection; Sylvain Assez photo”
What a great photo!. Thank you so much, Paul!...... I may try to duplicate this consist this weekend with my 10 wheeler and 2 Atlas Trainman cars.....
Peter
Apples55 posted:A really cool shot from my Facebook feed today... the caption reads:
”NYC F12 class 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler steam locomotive # 1244, is seen hauling a passenger train at Yorktown Heights, New York, 07-20-1951, NYC Putnam Division........if only the Put survived thru to Metro-North, would be nice to have a Metro-North Putnam Line, GCT to Mahopac, or even Brewster and Southeast via the Put........what could've been!!!! Train Man Paul collection; Sylvain Assez photo”
I was going to say it looks like Yorktown Heights when I saw the bridge in the distance, then I read the caption. The bridge is near where today's fire station is today.
Tom
Paul,
The bridge was "humped up" to cross over the tracks (you might be able to tell...it is way in the distance). Sometime after the tracks were removed the area was regraded and the rail trail crosses even with the road like a grade crossing. Today, that is Commerce Street. Not sure if it was called that in 1958 and before.
Tom
If I had to choose between the train and the "woody" station wagon, I'd be at a loss!
Kent,
Good catch on the Woody, I totally missed it. Thanks for pointing it out.
Tom
Kent Loudon posted:If I had to choose between the train and the "woody" station wagon, I'd be at a loss!
Simple solution, Kent... ride the train and take a window seat and watch the cars as you go by!!!
Better idea. Use the woody to chase the train!
Recreation as promised.......
Peter
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No baggage car ? I'll have my bicycle with me so will have to take a different train 
.. 
As a teen, I lived in Scarsdale near the Hartsdale station. Once a friend and I rode our bicycles down to Scarsdale (M.P. 19.0), checked them at the station, rode the train to Hartsdale(M.P. 20.6) and retrieved our bikes from the baggage man. Cost us 10 cents each, the minimum fare between stations. That was an MU train with an MU combine.
MNCW posted:Here a Frank Schlegel photo, taken at East View. The northbound (closest) train has no baggage/combine car, but the second car of the southbound train appears to be what you guys are looking for.
Tom
Tom;
Let’s not encourage the bicyclists 
But seriously, that is a great shot. I’m afraid I’m going to have to start looking for a Lionel 10-wheeler and make up an Old Put train... reading this Forum is an expensive habit!!!
P.S. where is East View???
Apples55 posted:Putnam Division posted:Recreation as promised.......
Now, as for @mlaughlinnyc... when I was riding the Harlem Line before I retired, there regularly was SOMEONE who decided they wanted to take their bicycle on the train - I guess we have identified one of the miscreants!!! But I do believe the original photo does include a baggage car. I expanded the photo and it looks like the second car definitely has a door on the side. I have been putting together my version of a 1950’s Harlem Line train and I included a combo car for those pesky bicyclists!!!
Obviously Paul does not understand how checked baggage worked. There is no way anyone would have known what baggage was checked by a passenger. Passengers took their baggage to the station agent and checked it for movement on the next train that had a baggage car. When that train arrived at the passenger's destination, the baggage was unloaded by the agent. If that passenger happened to be on the platform at the time of unloading, he could give his agent the claim check right there and get the baggage, saving effort by both agent and passenger. There was no inconvenience to other passengers. That the baggage happened to be a bicycle was unimportant.
Maybe Paul is out of time context and thinking of passengers taking bicycles into a car next to a high level platform - long after the Put was abandoned and checked baggage service discontinued.
I will vary it a bit with some of my other Atlas Trainman cars.......
Peter
I wish someone made those “turtle back” 4 wheel truck coaches...
Guys...got some alerts on this thread.... This is the real trains forum so keep the pictures to postings of real trains please. Nothing wrong with posting those neat pics by starting a new topic in one of the model trains...
Found this interesting YouTube video of the Putnam Division... Enjoy!!!
