Was most of the 3rd rail installed by NYC/Penn Central or did Metro North take on beyond the Grand Central area? Also, was the Hudson Line 4 tracks all the way to Albany or were some sections 2 tracks? They look it to me through the sharp cuts. And do the Metro North diesels run as far as they can on electric or do they switch to diesel around Harlem? If so why?
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What is 100% electric?
The line is not electrified in Albany (Rensselear).
In the 1940s the line was not 4 tracks wide all the way to Albany. It widened to 4 tracks at Albany due to the existence of two 2 double track bridges over the Hudson.
Are all non-electric locomotives banned in NY, including Penn? So, a steam locomotive in Manhattan would be out of the question, let alone regular diesels from Amtrak, NJT, etc. So when C&O 614 ran excursions from Hoboken, going through Manhattan would be impossible? Has any excursion steam locomotive traveled on the NEC in 40+ years or through Manhattan to get to Connecticut, etc? I wonder how 142 was shipped from Essex, CT to NJ when it was sold to NYS&W? Through Manhattan or another way?
Are all non-electric locomotives banned in NY, including Penn? So, a steam locomotive in Manhattan would be out of the question, let alone regular diesels from Amtrak, NJT, etc. So when C&O 614 ran excursions from Hoboken, going through Manhattan would be impossible?
Yes, since Manhattan is in the east side of the Hudson River, while the 614 departed Hoboken, on the west side of the Hudson River.
Has any excursion steam locomotive traveled on the NEC in 40+ years or through Manhattan to get to Connecticut, etc?
No.
I wonder how 142 was shipped from Essex, CT to NJ when it was sold to NYS&W?
Why would it have been shipped? Why not just operated through upstate New York?
Through Manhattan or another way?
Obviously NOT through Manhattan.
I believe the last steam locomotive to travel through Manhattan was LNER 4472 "Flying Scotsman" during its tour in 1969, forty-five years ago. It was towed through the East River Tunnels to Penn Station for display then towed again through the North River Tunnels to the New Jersey meadows. From there it proceeded west along the former PRR mainline under its own power. From Saul Nadler's website, I've included a rare look of 4472 and its train at Harrison just east of Newark.
Bob
So NYC's electrification measures were simply to take trains into and under the city...whereas Pennsy had a more wide scale move to electrify as more of an operating plan overall.
When do the current Genesis diesels convert to diesel from electric after leave Grand Central? I have seen videos of them travelling under diesel power well before Harmon.
They change over at 125th Street.
Bob
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