Upcoming Events at the New York Transit Museum
Metro North Railroad Photo uploaded by Nrbelex
Roxanne, director of special projects over at the New York Transit Museum, alerted us to some great upcoming events in a comment on our blog. Thanks for reading, Roxanne!
From February 12 through June 1, 2008, the exhibit A Railroad Reborn: Metro-North at 25 will be shown at the museum’s Grand Central Station Gallery Annex and Store. This exhibit celebrates what the introduction of the Metro-North railroad meant for commuters to the city. Since 1983, this railroad has been helping revitalize the entire industry and is very proud to be celebrating its 25th anniversary.
On February 26th, join the museum for a free lecture entitled “It’s Electric” on the historic AC electrification of the railroad from 6:30 - 8 pm. The lecture will be held on the Northeast balcony of Grand Central Terminal. The lecture will talk about the first regular train to be operated by electric power which traveled from Grand Central Station to New Rochelle in 1907 along with current evolutions and reconstructions in the system.
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The New York Transit Museum summer of 2008 Nostalgia Trains are ready to roll.
“50 Years to Far Rockaway,” “Coney Island Bound!” and “Multi-Anniversary Tour of the IRT” highlight the Brooklyn-based New York Transit Museum’s June 15, July 13 and August 2, 2008, Summer Nostalgia Train excursions.
The Transit Museum Nostalgia Train excursions offer an unforgettable nostalgic trip into New York’s not to distant subway past. As passengers board the historic rail fleet for a non-stop trip between destination the magic of the Nostalgia Train unfolds. According to Roxanne Robertson, the museum’s director of Special Projects, “The onboard atmosphere is relaxed as the passengers transcend their roles of hurried commuters and enter the world of the nostalgia, waving to bemused people on the platforms as the train rolls by.”
Passengers also enjoy the bouncy wicker seating, ceiling fans and the non-stop ride beyond destinations. Another perk of the Nostalgia Train experience are the very friendly and knowledgeable subway enthusiasts that can answer almost any question about the subway system. The first Nostalgia Train departs Sunday, June 15, 2008, and celebrates 50 years of subway service to Far Rockaway. Boarding at 10 a.m. the day-long excursion ending at 5 p.m., features the Museum’s vintage R1/9 railcars. Nostalgia Train passengers will travel from Midtown Manhattan to Queens Plaza and then proceed to the New York Transit Museum for a look at the museum’s latest exhibits and Museum Store. After an hour’s layover, the Nostalgia Train proceeds to Rockaway Park where passengers can break for lunch or stay on the train for an additional trip to Rockaway Avenue. At 4 p.m. the train leaves Rockaway Park via the A line to Jay Street, and the F line to 42nd Street for the conclusion of our trip.
On Sunday, July 13, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the New York Transit Museum’s second Nostalgia Train excursion is Coney Island Bound. Once again, the museum’s popular R1/9 fleet of vintage rail cars departs mid-town Manhattan for a day at the legendary amusement park. Passengers can ride the cyclone roller coaster, stroll the boardwalk, begin working on your summer tan or stay on the train for an additional ride to Whitehall Street in Manhattan. The train will then return to Coney Island to pick up passengers and at 4 p.m., the train leaves Coney Island via the F line to 42nd Street.
The museum’s last scheduled Nostalgia Train “Multi-Anniversary Tour of the IRT” excursion commemorates the 100th Anniversary of service to 242nd Street-Van Cortlandt Park. On Saturday, August 2, the post WW-II IRT SMEE cars will depart from Grand Central and proceed to Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, then head north to Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. Enjoy a day at the park or stay on the train for an express run to 103rd Street. At 3 p.m. the train heads down to 96th Street and goes via the 2 line to Jackson Avenue, before returning to Grand Central.
For more information, call (718) 694-1600.