A SubTalk Fieldtrip on September 18, 1999
Report
by Doug Diamond
Saturday's tour was as perfect a trip as you could
want. The group consisted of Bob Anderson, Al "Faxman" Braunstein,
Paul the bike rider, Peter Rosa, Kevin Walsh, Howard Fein, Alex L.,
Michael S. (a non-SubTalker), and Robert w/ son Robert Jr. (and of
course, myself).
The meeting location was actually off by one street
corner: I should have said 38th & 3rd, NOT 39th & 3rd. Anyhow, I
initially ran into Alex, faxman, Rober t (w/Robert, Jr.), Paul and
Kevin.
Our first point of interest was right down the block --
the South Brooklyn Railway's 4th Avenue transfer point just west of
the B and N line tracks. We found the gate wide-open. This was our
first surprise of the day (and certainly not the last), since this
location is supposed to be a locked facility. We were able to walk
some of the track and took a number of pictures (including the 1st
group shot) at that location. The lot was unkempt, showing signs of
not having been used in quite awhile. There was a TA maintenance flat
car with a set of rail running up to it from the trackbed. I assume
this is the transfer point for new or refurbished cars that are
brought in by railcar and unloaded for movement through the NYCT
system.
Moving on toward 2nd Ave., we stopped at the SBK
interchange yard, but there was really nothing to see besides some
NYCT RTS buses awaiting the scrap heap. The street tracks
indicated they hadn't been used in some time.
We walked down 2nd Ave. to 41st. Street, where there is
the old Bush Terminal Associates warehouse. It is missing its lower
two floors near the corner to allow for freight trains to negotiate
turns at the street intersection. I took a group shot there as
well. And Kevin took advantage of the surroundings by taking a shot of
an old advertisement on the side of a building across the street (I
assume we will see a new addition to his "Old Advertisements"
site, hint, hint).
Next stop: New York Cross Harbor RR at 43rd and
1st. After I signed a waiver with the New York Cross Harbor Railroad
we were given permission to walk around the yard and look at the
equipment (which we did). There were a number of stray railcar trucks
which included three that were from former subway equipment (both
Faxman and Bob took shots). NYCH equipment consisted of two partially
scrapped diesels, two cabooses (one w/some witty graffiti) and a
number of chemical cars all on one siding near the sidewalk. Following
one of the main tracks in the yard, we ended up walking west, which
lead us to a new floatbridge. There at water's edge was a barge moored
to the bridge. Again, we all had a great time taking pictures of this
recent addition to the Cross Harbor operation.
Moving on, we walked along 1st Ave. southward to 55th
St. where we entered BAT (Brooklyn Army Terminal). I wasn't even sure
whether we'd get into the terminal area, since there was a "Checkpoint
Charlie" type of guard shack by 55th St. However, it turned out that
that was just for vehicular traffic. We merely walked through along
the sidewalk and had no trouble. We followed the mainline track of
NYCH through the yard. As we -- Kevin, Bob, and myself -- surmised,
the tracks led down and eastward at the southern-most end of BAT into
the NYCH's yard where interchanging of freight occurs with New York &
Atlantic Railway. That's also the location of the western-most end of
the LIRR's Bay Ridge branch. At this point we found a picnic-type
table and decided to make it our lunch break.
After chowing down, it was about 3:00 and decided to find
an exit and head back, after a very eventful trip. As we came to the
exit (which turned out to be the same way we entered), Peter and Kevin
did a slight detour, entering the main Bush Terminal building. Little
did we realize at what treasures awaited us inside.
BAT was once a bustling industrial complex, particularly
during the years between the two World Wars.
In the lobby was a small glass enclosed exhibit in the
main buildings' lobby showcasing the activities of the terminal at the
height of the WW2. We got an extra treat near the doorway -- a photo
exhibit describing Elvis Presley's train trip to the Brooklyn
Waterfront in 1958, when he entered the Army (this answered a
longstanding question for Kevin). It was here where we received the
biggest surprise: two vintage coaches from the old "Brooklyn Central
Railroad", coupled, and on an old rail loading-bay track inside the
terminal building. This, of course, was another grand group photo op
for both the Faxman and myself.
Kevin parted with the group at BAT as he was going on to
Bay Ridge. And somehow we lost track of Peter along the way back up
1st Ave.
We re-entered NYCH terminal by 50th Street and made a
trek over to the main office. There, I thanked the staff for their
time and courtesy. At that point, we said 'good-bye' to Robert and
Robert, Jr. as they were parked over by 41st. street.
Once returning to 39th Street by the Costco parking lot,
the rest of us parted ways -- faxman, and Bob having parked at
Costco. Alex L. was street parked on 3rd near the SBK tracks, and
Howard and I found parking elsewhere in the area.
Footnote: Before splitting up, I recommended going on to
investigate the PCC that was mentioned in an earlier thread on
SubTalk. It was supposedly in a lot at President Street and 4th Ave.,
which was about a little over a mile from our location. Since we had
'long haul' members from Long Island and New Jersey, it was left up to
Paul (on his trusty bike) and myself as the sole
investigators. Driving up 4th Ave. I came upon this old but
solid-looking structure. It was an old bathhouse that I later found
out is now a city landmark. In a lot on the 4th Ave. side was indeed a
SEPTA PCC. In need of a trolley pole and new paint job, but otherwise
in good condition.
The most unique aspect of the trip had to have been the
incredibly picture-perfect weather conditions. With Hurricane Floyd
gone by a little over 12 hours, the tri-state area was cleared of any
remaining humidity. With bright sunshine, a cloudless sky, and slight
breezes....and it doesn't get any better than this!
Again, thanks to all who came -- hopefully next time
around, everyone who missed it this time can make it -- a good time
will be guaranteed!
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