Former New Haven Railroad dual-mode diesel-electric unit FL9 number 2007 pushes
a short three car local at the Peekskill station. METRO NORTH RAILROAD
THE HUDSON LINE
THIS PAGE WILL COVER ONE OF THE MOST SCENIC PORTIONS OF RAILROAD IN THE COUNTRY. HUGGING ALONG THE EDGE OF THE MAGNIFICENT HUDSON RIVER, THE HUDSON LINE WEAVES AROUND MOUNTAIN EDGES AND DUCKS THROUGH SHORT TUNNELS. THIS PAGE BEGINS AT PEEKSKILL AND WILL REACH TO THE END OF COMMUTER SERVICE IN POUGHKEEPSIE.
Former New Haven Railroad dual-mode diesel-electric unit FL9 number 2007 pushes
a short three car local at the Peekskill station.
2032 leads a northbound over the long causeway just west of the station.
Back in 1975, two Amtrak E8 diesels haul the Empire State Express.
Amtrak purchased several of the FL9's for their Hudson Line service.
2018 pushes a train toward the city. Access to this location was via a
small pier used to offload fuel oil.
Looking the other way, a Turbo set whooshes past.
Back to 1975 as Penn Central RDC cars, obviously former NYC, rolls south over
the jointed rail.
Two awesome views from the walkway on the Bear Mountain Bridge. It is part
of the Appalachian Trail and is open to the public.
Having spent most of the day of the Hudson Line, I crossed over the Bear
Mountain Bridge to catch some Penn Central freights on the old West Shore
side. Of course what would then appear over on the Hudson Line? Yep.
Two 1975 views from the rock outcrop just south of Manitou.
A visit in January 1976, turned into a snowy adventure.
Amtrak trains at the small community of Manitou, NY.
Several Metro-North trains just north of Manitou. Those yellow things are
to knock off any errant third rail shoes that may have dropped down sparing any
damage at grade crossings.
Along the river just below Garrison, NY.
A classic New York Central depot at Garrison.
A Turbo set rolls through town.
FL9 2018 leads a Poughkeepsie bound local at Garrison.
What makes Garrison unique is this tunnel just above the depot. The new
bridge provides a good set up location.
Up the line is the community of Cold Spring, NY. Today it has become a
trendy tourist spot, but it is great place for railroad photography.
The old NYC depot is a restaurant. Regular MN service provides easy
access.
An Amtrak Turbo rolls toward New York City passing the mighty Storm King
Mountain over on the west bank.
2017 departs the Cold Spring station area.
In a location made famous by the New York Central company photographers, a
classic EMD cab unit set rolls north above Cold Spring.
In 1975, off-peak Poughkeepsie service was covered by RDC cars.
Back to that cold snowy 1976 day finds another RDC set making track speed
through the tunnel.
Above the tunnels a small bridge provides a great vantage point in both
directions. 3-6-88.
On a different day, an Amtrak FL9 rolls south passing Bannermans Castle.
October 2, 1991
On September 3, 1989 an Amtrak Turbo rolls by Beacon, NY station.
Right behind the Turbo comes a New York City bound local. What's that
Conrail train, you ask?
It's SENH and at the time (1989) it ran down from Selkirk Yard to here and then
used the old NYC-New Haven connection to the NH Maybrook line to reach New
Haven. This routing is not used today.
I went up a side road to grab a shot and thought about chasing this train, but
elected to stay with the Hudson Line. Although the line is now out of
service a chase would have meant shooting in bad afternoon light and I didn't
know the roads very well.
A small town north of Beacon is Chelsea.
What luck to catch the freight here. The river, the boats and a perfect
sky frame this shot nicely.
Tower 54 is located at New Hamburg, NY.
Amtrak 485 flies through New Hamburg in 1988.
Some 1975 views of the Poughkeepsie station area. That's the former New
Haven bridge over the river above everything. Even at this time it was out
of service having suffered a fire in 1974. It is still there and the east
end seen above is open to pedestrians as a scenic viewing location.
Last stop on that snowy day ( with good reason! ) was here in
Poughkeepsie. Penn Central numbered the FL9's in the 5000 number
series. The MN 2000 series numbers are old New Haven numbers, but many did
not retain their original numbers after rebuilding.
Poughkeepsie is fairly large town and receives regular Amtrak service in
addition to the MN locals.
With the introduction of the push-pull Bombardier cars under Metro-North, the
FL9's were positioned on the outbound end of trains due to the dead end
platforms at Grand Central.
2007 at Poughkeepsie, March 6, 1988.
To the Poughkeepsie to Albany page, click here.