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                   


            


       


          


             


A southbound Metro-North Harlem Linetrain arrives at the old depot in Katonah, New Y about 41 miles from the bumping block at Grand Central T


IT’S NOT OFTEN THAT WE DEVOTE nearly an entire issue to one subject or geographical location, but in this case, we thought it was well deserved. Grand Central Terminal is arguably the most famous train station in the world, as well as a permanent icon in our railfan culture. We wanted to go all-out to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this won- derful landmark, and we hope you enjoyed your “visit.”


Another anniversary is being celebrated this year by three transit agencies in the Northeast. On January 1, 1983, Metro- North, NJ Transit, and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) took over the direct operation of commuter trains in their territory from Con- rail. We thought these operations deserved the spotlight as well, especially considering our changing views on mass transit in the wake of ever-rising fuel costs and concerns over quality of life. Look for our profiles of NJ Transit and SEPTA commuter rail to follow in the coming months.


I tell anyone who will listen that my fa-  54 FEBRUARY 2013 • RAILFAN.COM


ther was largely responsible for starting my interest in trains when I was very young. Sure, that Lionel train was a lot of fun, but I really looked forward to those train trips with dad to go to his workshop in New York City. We had moved to Katonah, a small community located in northern Westchester County, in 1980. Our town was located along the old New York Central Harlem Division, at that time operated by Conrail on behalf of the MTA as the Harlem Line. Our venerable train station was a classic suburban struc- ture that had long been converted to other uses, yet retained a small room to be used by waiting passengers. The station retained its


ork, erminal. The snow is piled high as


a pair of MTA FL9’s spliced by two ex-Delaware & Hudson coaches substitute for the normal mid-day run of Budd RDC’s on February 13, 1983. Photo by Arthur J. Deeks


majestic canopy crafted from solid oak, and quaint wooden signs hung from the eaves that proclaimed KATONAH.


The railroads had suffered decades of neglect as Conrail was a reluctant custodian of the commuter trains and wanted to desperately get out of the passenger busi- ness altogether. Though the MTA provided a subsidy for the service, broken trains contin- ued to limp through a decaying infrastruc- ture. Despite these shortcomings, my dad decided that he was going to become a regu- lar commuter. One day my dad told me he needed a


“helper” down at his shop and that we’d be spending the day together. I was excited and didn’t know what to expect. I remember it was a cold winter day, and I had my face hid- den against my dad’s pants leg to hide from the cold when we arrived at the station. We eventually retreated inside to the small waiting room, which had mirrors on the walls to help mask its true size. A bunch of morning passengers were huddled in this dimly lit room, which had no chairs or benches that I recall. A horn was heard in the distance starting to blow for the Jay Street crossing, so like lemmings we all hur- ried outside to the platform. A New York express blasted through the station without stopping, horns blaring and old newspapers blowing down the track. Discouraged that we were “tricked,” everyone turned around to slink back into the waiting room. After what seemed like an eternity, anoth-


er horn was heard in the distance heralding our train’s arrival. Everyone flowed out onto the platform and I remember looking up the track and seeing the headlight of our ap- proaching train. Truth be told, I think I re-


ARTHUR J. DEEKS


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