04-03-18 CLASSIC PHOTOS : ACMU Trip

In the early 2000's, I was just as attuned to endangered rolling stock as I am today, possibly moreso as I had recently missed out on a number of retirements and some of the equipment reached back to the days of Private Railroads running passenger services. As I was still not yet part of the fantrip scene my goal was to ride vintage equipment in service, but in the case of the New York Central era ACMU cars running on Metro North this was somewhat difficult as they only ran during the peak periods typically on White Plains locals. With their retirement approaching and my opportunities for NYC trips somewhat limited, I latched on to a report of a single reverse peak ACMU run that departed GCT around 7:30 am and ran to North White Plains express as a revenue deadhead. Deciding that the unique run would be worth the early wake up, I set out on what would be my one and only ride on an ACMU. Photos from this trip which also includes an NYC Subway excursion to Coney Island, can be found here ( mirror ).

The first thing that surprised me was how shabby the cars' interiors were. Although the ACMU's were built between 1962 and 1965 and had seats similar to the SEPTA Silverliners II and III, they showed their age more than their PRR contemporaries. 

The wide vestibule doors and Penn Central style lettering were a nice touch. Originally numbered in the NY Central 4600 and 4700 series, they were changed to the 1100 series to better match Metro North's other equipment.

It was snowing that morning so there was no need for the Air Conditioning system that the cars were eventually named for

Because personal responsibility was still a thing back in 2004, passage between cars was exposed to the elements and the manual side doors were left open for the entire run.

MO tower was still in active use as an MoW/CnS base.



Unlike most of the ACMU's Metropolitan contemporaries, the AAR-based coupler was never converted into a WABCo N-type (cup and spear).

Unknown 1100 series ACMU on the back end of my train at North White Plains because Metro North doesn't put numbers on the front of its vehicles. Also not present were the FRA mandated crossing lights which limited the ACMU operation to the grade crossing free territory between Grand Central and North White Plains or Croton Harmon.

04-03-14 CLASSIC PHOTOS: RiverLINE Opening Day

In 2004 the NJ Transit RiverLINE represented a new concept in regional light rail and using transit to spur growth. Running between Camden and Trenton, the line promised 15-30 minute headways and a far cheaper/faster alternative to connect with NJ Transit corridor trains at Trenton than heading across the river to catch the SEPTA R7. A Sunday was chosen to inaugurate service with the first trains departing their respective termini at the normally scheduled time around 6am so I was able to bring my father along for the ride. The full set of photos ( mirror ) include content from both ends of the line as well as photos taken out the front of the vehicles.

Although our trip started at the Camden E-Center station I am not exactly sure how we *reached* said station from the PATCO connection at Broadway. I suspect that either the pull-out move from the yard was picking up passengers, but we may have just walked or just driven (unlikely). Because smart phones with their advanced low light camera functionality was still a decade away here is a somewhat soft photo of #3511 waiting the first revenue departure northbound.

Due to the high inside light to outside light ratio on the northbound trip the next photo I took was of #3511 shortly after its arrival in Trenton.

With the 30 minute headways there was no reason not to head down to the Trenton Station platform for some heavy rail action. Amtrak's FAIR interlocking had recently been outfitted with drop-in LED signal modules, one of the earliest examples on Amtrak.

SEPTA Silverliner IV #429 is seen here ready to depart track #5. Although the R7 local provided a slightly faster trip to Philly, the price of $7-8 was far higher than the RiverLINE's #1.35.

Getting back to the RiverLINE station we find #3514 along with #3511 with #3514 being the next to depart. The opening day balloons were a nice touch.

The RiverLINE utilizes the former PRR Bordentown Branch that used to host the famous Nelly Bly New York to Atlantic City express train. An active route for carload freight, NJT had to go out of its way to maintain all the old connectivity like this crossover that would allow freights to access the soon-to-be-defunct industrial track that ran through downtown Trenton along the Delaware and Raritan canal