In August of 2025 there was a lot of change afoot in the northeast from new Acelas, to new infrastructure to new NYCT Subway rolling stock. An invitation to visit the International Photography Museum in Manhattan gave me the opportunity to catch a lot of this change in progress and ostensibly say farewell to many long time staples of the region (even if the actual retirement dates were still one or more years in the future).
This was going to be a single day trip so my day started quite early at the BWI Airport Rail station where ACS-86 was leading my 6am Regional train to New York City.
The track #1 platform at BWI was in the midst of a partial reconstruction.
Passing by the Penn Coach Yards were for Acela NG trainsets were awaiting their entry into service later that month,.
The Acela NG power cars are numbered in the 2100-series like #2133 seen here.
The new Amtrak Hackensack River bridge as seen from the 1910 PORTAL movable bridge. All structural work had been completed on the new crossing and work had shifted to completing the trackbed, overhead catenary and signaling.
Despite platform access issues, the new Penn Station train hall has been a pretty resounding success since it opened.
A brand new R211 on the A. The International Photography Museum was located near the Essex Street station which meant a fairly simple transfer to an F at W. 4th St.
Unfortunately a service disruption/weekend change forced me to take a D train to Grand St instead. Here a pair of north and southbound D trains meet at West 4th.
The reason for the service disruption became evident on the return trip when I found work equipment blocking the local track at West 4th. The equipment included R47 #67, R41 #59 and deicing car #RD439. The locomotives were built by General Electric in 1968 and 1975 as extensions of their popular 45-ton series.
Since the visit to the museum wrapped up a bit earlier than anticipation, I suggested a walk around the West Side Yard. To that end we transferred to a 7 train at Times Square.
On this particular day the weather was perfect for photos of the Hudson Yards complex rising over the West Side layover facility.
Work was progressing on the Manhattan side tunnel box for the new South North River Tunnels. These were using a cut and cover process that has become somewhat uncommon due to the disruption and need to work around things like the High Line structure.
The Basket appeared to have re-opened after the addition of suicide prevention gear, but the steep entrance fee was limiting attendance.
The High Line art plinth was occupied by a new sculpture entitled "Dinosaur".
Back to Penn Station ACS-86 #636 was standing across the platform from Acela Trainset #8 with power car #2019.
The trains were really showing their age with the restroom in my car having a failed sink faucet which had been replaced by some water bottles.
Power car shown here #2014 departing BWI.
In addition to my New York City trip I also paid a visit to the PRR Main Line where Amtrak THORN interlocking had just been re-signaled and put under dispatcher control, however THORN tower was still open as its CTC machine was still in control of DOWNS, GLEN and FRAZER interlockings.
What I believe was Amtrak Keystone Train 663 making a station stop at Downingtown, PA with ACS-86 #626 and Metroliner cab car #9643.
Stone arch bridge carrying the Main Line over Brandywine Creek at Downingtown.
The amber PRR position lights at DOWNS interlocking have certainly seen better days. Note the limited speed triangle which was used in place of flashing relays when those were still considered insufficiently reliable.
Heading back to the highway I stopped by the SEPTA Malvern Station where I found a train of Silverliners IV awaiting their departure as an R5 train to Center City. SL-IV #428 was in the trailing position.
That's all for today. Next time we'll head a bit further afield to Glenwood Springs, Colorado where I win a race to catch up with Amtrak's California Zephyr.
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