NEW YORK CENTRAL: ALONG THE HUDSON presents NYC
first-generation diesels in action on the West Shore Line from Weehawken to
Bear Mountain and on the Hudson River main line from Manhattan to Albany.
The program opens with scenes of the Central's Manhattan
ferry terminal and a ride across the harbor to Weehawken featuring nostalgic
views of ferries, harbor craft, and ocean liners. A tour of the West Shore Line
follows, with Alco-powered passenger and freight trains depicted at such
locations as Little Ferry, Ridgefield Park, Teaneck, Harrington Park, West
Nyack, and Bear Mountain.
We then visit the Hudson River main line, beginning with
scenes of NYC electric trains on the Park Avenue Viaduct. At Spuyten Duyvil,
EMD and Alco diesels are shown pulling freight trains into Manhattan. There is
also coverage of activities at Harmon and long-distance trains in action on the
main line south of Albany.
NEW YORK CENTRAL STEAM SHOWCASE begins with a brief ride
from New York City to Harmon, where the electric locomotives were exchanged for
steam power. Views of the engine terminal and the engine change itself are
presented, followed by some high-speed main line scenes taken south of Albany,
including sequences featuring steam engines scooping water on the fly!
A quick diversion to Kingston on the West Shore Line offers
charming vignettes of classic 4-6-0s on the branch to Oneonta. Other highlights
include trains on Washington Street in Syracuse, Buffalo Terminal in the snow,
steam trains at Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, and extended action sequences at
Chicago, Kankakee, and St. Louis.
Locomotives featured range from chunky 0-8-0s to the famous
4-6-4 Hudsons, 4-8-2 Mohawks, and the legendary 4-8-4 Niagaras.
60 MINUTES * COLOR AND B/W ARCHIVE FILM * MAPS AND GRAPHICS
* SYNCHRONIZED SOUNDTRACK
PRODUCED BY MARC S. BALKIN