New York in June?

[Cajonpassfan]

I'll have a few days in New York next month.
Suggestions about what railroad sites to see, or MR clubs/model railroads to visit, would be much appreciated!
Any NY 's here?
Otto K.

[Point353]

If it's a nice day, consider taking a train ride up the Hudson River to Poughkeepsie.
You have the choice of taking Amtrak from Penn Station or the Metro North commuter service from Grand Central.
Once you're off Manhattan island they run on the same tracks.
Metro North schedules: http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/planning/schedules/schedules.htm

At Poughkeepsie you can visit the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, where the old New Haven RR bridge across the Hudson has been converted for pedestrian use. The view from the bridge is outstanding.
https://walkway.org/

[Cajonpassfan]

Very very nice, thank you!!
Other ideas?
Otto

[wcfn100]

The Red Caboose hobby shop is certainly interesting.   I also liked walking the High Line which I guess is train related.


Jason

[dougnelson]

Otto:
For cheap thrills take the #7 subway to Queens for a great aerial view of Sunnyside Yard. Get off the 7 at Woodside and watch the LIRR before a trip back to Penn Station. NJ Transit to Newark for an amazing parade of NJT and Amtrak trains, particularly during the afternoon rush hours. For an Amtrak fare to Stamford, you get the bonus of a spectacular trip across the Hell Gate Bridge with views to Manhattan and the East River. Don't miss Grand Central Terminal and a walk along the High Line that starts a couple of blocks from Penn Station.
Have fun.

[Philip H]

I can second the run up to Poughkeepsie - my daughter is in Hyde park and then ridge is worth it. I caught the NH painted Amtrak unit up there a couple of years ago on a rainy November weekend. There's some freight action up that way too but no hobby shops I am aware of.

[randgust]

The ride down the Hudson from the west side of any train - Amtrak or Metro-North, is one of the prettiest rides in the US.   Right up there with the Columbia River when the Pioneer ran.    Should be on every railfan's bucket list.   And the 'walkway over the Hudson' is right up there, too.

I really enjoyed looking around Grand Central.

One of the coolest spots I ever found was right above Penn Station in the 400 block of W. 31st.  Seven years ago my son had a summer dorm room there about nine floors up and it looks right down into the throat of Penn Sta.   I see on Google Earth that entire area has now been covered over!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Personally, I loved taking the Staten Island Ferry back and forth from Manhattan.

[cbroughton67]

My wife and I were in NYC a couple of weeks ago. We enjoyed walking part of the old High Line, which is now a park. They've done a nice job preserving elements of the line's railroad heritage, and judging by the number of people walking there, it's a popular attraction.


https://placesjournal.org/article/above-grade-on-the-high-line/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwuZvIBRD-8Z6B2M2Sy68BEiQAtjYS3JoZu7Yo1eJS3dK2nc7TcVxyLPmjjjVl0UfyWeDIyFQaApBD8P8HAQ


Enjoy your trip!
Chris

[Joetrain59]

Catch LIRR action at Jamaica, and Mineola during rush hours. Mineola might also get you some NY&A freight action.
 Joe D

[Cajonpassfan]

Guys, thanks so much for taking the time to make suggestions or share your own experiences. Much appreciated!
Interestingly, there's been virtually nothing suggested on model railroads, clubs or private. I would have thought that given the size of the city and the rich railroad history of the region, there would be some layouts worth visiting there, if not in the city, nearby?
Again, suggestions appreciated!
Otto K.

[MK]

NYC space and rent for that space is at a premium.  The room needed for large'ish layout can house a family of four and command $3000/month rent. 

For layouts and clubs I think you will need to venture out to the outer boroughs or across the Hudson River in New Jersey.

[Cajonpassfan]

NYC space and rent for that space is at a premium.  The room needed for large'ish layout can house a family of four and command $3000/month rent. 

For layouts and clubs I think you will need to venture out to the outer boroughs or across the Hudson River in New Jersey.

Oh, I know. I don't mind venturing out....

[MK]

You can try The Model Railroad Club in Union, NJ.  You will need a car if coming from NYC.  I've never been but have heard good things about it.  They do charge $6 admission but are open to the public on Saturdays only from 1-4pm.  I might be going there for an op session next month.  Note that their bread and butter layout is HO but I think they also have a N layout in the fairly big building.  11,000 sq. ft. I think.

More info here:  http://tmrci.org/home-page.html

[randgust]

Oh, I know. I don't mind venturing out....

I've been to NYC three times; twice by Amtrak and public transit for local transportation, and once driving in.    I've seen worse traffic, but I've never seen anything like the parking problem on the Island.   Where you put a car is a huge deal.   That issue alone takes more planning than just getting there, and parking a car is rarely free. 

Best mix of the two is to stay relatively near one of the Metro-North stations (I picked Greystone/Yonkers) as there were a lot of chain hotels there and easy access to the station to ride into the City (GCT) as Hampton had a station shuttle and free parking.   So you can have a car to get around and still not have to stress about where to put it in the City or pay a kings ransom to leave it.   I was lucky that I had relatives that educated me - quickly - about how to use transit effectively.   

I'd found an acceptable Holiday Inn Express on 29th st south of Penn Station, walked there when we came in on Amtrak.   That worked, but not for the car!   Valet parking for $55/day on top of the room rate, and the car is likely stacked like a crossword puzzle someplace - 4 down and three across on one of the car storage elevator deals!