New York Central, Back to “The Road to the Future”

“The Road of the Century” is revisited in these 90 minutes. The 1950s and 1960s are viewed here: grimy Hudsons on their last passenger assignments; the “Steel Fleet” racing along a four-track mainline; PA’s, C-Liners, Baldwins, EMDs at Collinwood. Seen are the two elusive F-2’s, along with P&LE PA’s, “X-plorer” and “Aerotrain”.

From Grand Central Terminal, our route west includes 125th street, Croton-Harmon at the end of third rail, Peekskill, Albany union on a frigid day, Rochester, Victoria yard in Ft. Erie, Ont. With steam switchers, Collinwood shops, Berea, Campbell, Windsor, and many more locations en route to St. Louis and Chicago.

In a 1966 test, RDC M-493 hits 183.85 mph. Inspect the Wellington, Ohio wreck of January 10,1960. There are other surprises as well, but mostly just good train watching: 20th Century Limited”, “Empire State Express”‘ and other Limiteds alongside freights with pacemaker box cars, flexi-vans, and tri-level auto racks. So step back to the “Road to the Future”!

Extra! 20 minute film “Flight of the Century”, 1931