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.
Just like that the ACMU portion of the day was over and it was barely 8am. With literally the whole day ahead of myself and fellow Subchat participant Spider Pig charted a course for Stillwell Ave via the West End line and 62nd St tower seen below.
More D train R68's including #2534 at the Stillwell Ave yard and the one I was riding, #2728, at the Stillwell Ave terminal.
I believe that the old Stillwell Ave tower had been converted into some sort of crew facility.
Heading back on a Brighton Beach line express, we passed an outbound express B train with a consist of R40 Slant cars.
An R68 Q local near Kings Highway.
Another outbound express B train with Slants at Avenue M with the Vitagraph smokestack in the background.
I did not take nearly enough advantage of the railfan window when it more was available on the NYC Subway. Here are Brighton Beach Line mini-tunnels at Crooke Ave.
A second outbound Q train set in the act of crossing over to the outer local tracks at Prospect Park interlocking.
On the way back to Princeton Jct on NJT I passed ALP-44M #4429 and GP40PH-2B #4206 in Hudson yard.
Passing by DOCK tower in Newark, NJ.
NJT ALP-44M #4425 at Princeton Jct.
Another locomotive that isn't seen much anymore, Amtrak HHP-8 #656 also at Princeton Jct. The milepost 47 automatic signals are also now gone.
Amtrak AEM-7 #940 stopping at Princeton Jct with an eastbound Keystone service train.
NJT Arrow III car #1325 was providing the Dinky service that day.
I can't quite recall why I stopped off at Princeton Jct instead of Hamilton. At some point I went to Princeton University for some talk related to space exploration, but I cannot remember if this was that event or if I was just killing time before ultimately proceeding to Hamilton. In either event that's all the photos I have from this event. Thanks for reading.
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