New York City visit

Frank-

I would recommend checking these layouts/clubs; all are in the metro NY area.

NJ HiRailers - Paterson, NJ

Bay Ridge Model Railroad Club - Bay Ridge (Brooklyn), NY

New York Society of Model Engineers - Carlstadt, NJ

Central Operating Lines - Bohemia, NY

Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers - Farmingdale, NY

Of course you can't forget Grand Central Terminal and the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn, as well as the Railroad Museum of Long Island.

-John

Frank

There is a unique piece of Subway art called “Masstransiscope.”  You can only see it through the right side windows of the Manhattan-bound B or Q train shortly after leaving the DeKalb Ave. Subway station in Brooklyn. If Subway modeling is your interest, it is a Must-See.

Emile

The best New York Subway layout is the subways and elevated trains and the rides itself. If you want to ride a nice route take the "D" train ride to Coney Island, Brooklyn. The "D" operates under 6th Av (Ave Of The Americas) in mid-town, then over the Manhattan Bridge and over the East River to Brooklyn. After making a few stops under 4th Av. it comes out of the tunnel and operates in a cut to 9th Av. and after that operates above the streets all the way to Coney Island. The Coney Island Station has 4 platforms and 8 tracks all under a big train shed. There are 3 other lines that can take you back to Manhattan including the "N", "F", and "Q" lines. The "Q" line offers the most interesting ride with both elevated over the street, on an imbankment, then in a cut and finally in the tunnel and then on the Manhattan Bridge and back into a tunnel and back under 6th Av to midtown. I have ridden every subway and el line in New York City many times since the early 50s.

Also you should visit the New York City Transit Museum located in downtown Brooklyn. Inquire at the transit museum store located in Grand Central Terminal on E. 42nd Street between Madison Av. and 3rd Av. for subway line directions to the museum.

I have spent many years in San Diego when my folks lived in Oceanside and my cousin who lived near Jack Murphy stadium. My favorite place to visit is Balboa Park and the San Diego Railroad Club layouts.

If you have any questions regarding getting around New York City and what to go and visit while you are there including my favorite thing to do there which is the Circle Line ride around Manhattan and walking The High Line (the former New York Central elevated route on the west side of Manhattan) please let me know.

Email me at: edmickey@optonline.net

Transit Museum and High Line have been mentioned...

I suggest the relatively new East River Ferry. For $5 you can ride on the East River from Canal St. to 34th St either direction. A nice view of The City as you go under all the East River bridges. And with luck you'll see subways going over the Manhattan or WillyB bridges.

http://www.eastriverferry.com/

As a warning, the Red Caboose hobby shop on 45th St. touts themselves as subway model specialists... But that just means they have HO scale models available at high prices. Stay away. Dingy basement store not worth visiting.

Layout with the most subway stuff is the NJ HiRailers in Paterson NJ   I have been pretty busy with work at my new job ( Motorman on the NY subways ) or I would offer to pick you up in manhattan and bring you to Paterson   I will send an email to the new officers and see if somebody can accommodate you as I have done in the pqast.

Thanks Blueline,

my schedule is more than full for this years visit, have brothers and friends, and lots of pizza and pastrami sandwiches to catch up with, not to forget Chinese food!

i know of the nj club and have seen photo spreads of itin the various magazines.  I will definitely get to it on next trip.

Your offer is very generous,and I thank you.  

Frank

Brooklyn to Valley Stream to Colorado to San Diego 

If you're still able to check this, what I do when I'm in the city is take the F train to Trainworld (Ditmas ave.), go visit the store, get back on to continue to Coney Island, passing the enormous Coney Island yard, and take another train back in. I would recommend the D line as it's another el in Brooklyn and goes over the Manhattan bridge. Another idea is to take the Circle Line ferry, you might see some subways on the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges going under them, and maybe see some MN trains as well.

Not exactly trains, still you might like to check out the "High Line". It is old elevated tracks that were converted to a linear park.