Tom Beckett's Collection
4/19/2024
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Viewing Album: Dad's shots from Sunnyside
By:
Tom Beckett
Dates:
1/1/1957 - 12/31/2003
Album Info:
We lived in Little Neck, on the Port Washington Branch, about two blocks from the station. Dad rode the LIRR to work every day, and often took photos as the train passed Sunnyside. Some were grab shots, some had a little more set up, but he took many. These are some of the more interesting ones. This album will cover anything between Harold and the tunnels.
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Title:
Electric switchers
Description:
Dont know the date on this, but probably late 50s/1960 or so. Dad lived in Manhasset and started working for the NY Times in 1957, then in Jamaica after he and my mom got married in 1958, until 1964. It looks earlier than 1964 judging by the equipment, but date is mostly a guess. Still, B 3 motors switching is pretty cool.
Photo Date:
10/22/1957
Upload Date:
12/4/2014 3:49:58 PM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Yard,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:
Views:
388
Comments:
1
Title:
Yard shot from the LIRR
Description:
Dad rode the LIRR to work every day from our home in Little Neck, which gave him a good shot passing Sunnyside yard. If he saw something interesting-he was partial to GG 1s-hed grab a shot. Heres 4864 in the Scotchlite lettering waiting to back down onto a train. Check the cars in yard A-there's a DLW Phoebe Snow box car, a Pennsy 50 ft double door box, as well as IC and EL cars. Overhead is Queens Blvd; above it is the IRT Flushing Line, which was not yet designated the #7.
Photo Date:
9/24/1964
Upload Date:
12/4/2014 3:42:10 PM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Yard,Passenger
Locomotives:
PRR 4864(GG1)
Views:
502
Comments:
3
Title:
GG 1 from the train
Description:
Dad caught this G in Sunnyside yard while passing on the Long Island. At right is Queens Blvd, with its IRT Flushing elevated line. Going toward Manhattan, it leads to Queensboro Plaza station, seen at the center top of the photo. There, transfer can be made to the BMT Astoria Line, which goes straight into the 60th St tunnel, and will make its next stop at 59th and Lexington. The IRT will curve sharply south, making Court Square, then Hunterspoint Av before going underground.
Photo Date:
10/22/1964
Upload Date:
12/4/2014 3:47:18 PM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Yard,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:
PRR 4931(GG1)
Views:
391
Comments:
2
Title:
REA Express
Description:
One of the unmistakeable landmarks of Sunnyside Yard was the REA Express building, which handled a lot of cross docking of freight, as well as distribution locally via truck. I can recall on several occasions up til the mid 60s, seeing the REA trucks on my block with a delivery. It sat in the middle of the yard, between the passenger car tracks and the motor pit. When REA went under, it sat mostly unused for years, til it was finally torn down, I believe in the 1980s.
Photo Date:
12/9/1964
Upload Date:
4/17/2016 4:48:57 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Yard,Station
Locomotives:
Views:
259
Comments:
1
Title:
Just another morning
Description:
The coach yard at Sunnyside is jammed with Pennsy cars and through equipment. New York, of course, was a major terminal, and there were cars from all over, though primarily direct PRR connections. It was not uncommon to see ACL and SAL cars from the Florida trains, as well as MP cars off the Penn Texas, and Southern cars off the Crescent. Sunnyside also serviced and provisioned the large fleet of PRR cars, long distance and commuter, and we see a number of them here.
Photo Date:
12/9/1964
Upload Date:
4/17/2016 5:05:17 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Yard,Passenger
Locomotives:
Views:
204
Comments:
1
Title:
Visitor from afar
Description:
Among the other cars to get serviced at Sunnyside this day was an SP car, probably off the Crescent, as there was a car that ran through at New Orleans. You never knew what would show up there.
Photo Date:
12/9/1964
Upload Date:
4/17/2016 5:17:40 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Yard,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:
Views:
189
Comments:
1
Title:
C&O and a G
Description:
Another grab shot from the train yields a view of a C&O car at far left, and a GG 1 starting out for Penn Station at far right. Look at all that steam!!
Photo Date:
2/15/1965
Upload Date:
4/24/2016 5:04:19 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Yard,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:
Views:
191
Comments:
1
Title:
Pans up
Description:
At least one GG 1 is partially visible, and Im sure there are a lot of MP 54s in there, too. Lots of pantographs reaching for the sky this February morning, along with lots of steam.
Photo Date:
2/16/1965
Upload Date:
4/27/2016 3:08:20 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Yard,Action
Locomotives:
Views:
145
Comments:
1
Title:
Railway Express
Description:
These REA cars were once on nearly every passenger train, but by the mid 60s, a sign of the decline of passenger trains in the US, the REA was on its last legs, and would declare bankruptcty the that year. The cars were still running in the spring of 1965, one of them here at Sunnyside, waiting on its next load.
Photo Date:
4/9/1965
Upload Date:
4/27/2016 3:11:09 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Roster,Yard,Passenger
Locomotives:
Views:
587
Comments:
1
Title:
The best scheme
Description:
Dad took this photo from the IRT Flushing train as it emerged from the tunnel at Hunterspoint Av. An eastbound train led by one of LIRRs C420s waits for departure at the LIRR station, while another train eases out of the station, in its consist are some of the ex B&M Osgood Bradley cars the LIRR picked up second hand. I always thought this was the best looking LIRR paint scheme.
Photo Date:
6/17/1965
Upload Date:
4/26/2016 5:01:10 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, Hunters Point, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Station,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:
LI 210(C420)
Views:
472
Comments:
2
Title:
Action at Yard A
Description:
A view of Sunnyside Yard A taken from the IRT shows a wealth of activity there. The freight action is much busier than now-I think the NY & Atlantic, who now runs the freight on the Island, no longer uses this yard. Fallen flag cars are all over, including MP, ACL, BAR and Pennsy. The passenger action is good, too. A westbound LIRR train led by a double decker is passing on the main as a Pennsy train exits the yard, heading into Penn Station to pick up. Judging by the P 70s, Im guessing a Clocker to Philly. The Sunshine Biscuits building was a long time fixture in Long Island City, as was the Silvercup Bakery, next to the 59th St Bridge-it's a movie studio now-and the Chiclets factory. If you were in the right place, Long Island City smelled pretty good!!
Photo Date:
6/17/1965
Upload Date:
4/26/2016 5:09:42 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Yard,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:
Views:
306
Comments:
2
Title:
Heavyweight
Description:
Despite being well into not only the streamline era, but its decline, there was still some heavyweight equipment that showed up at Sunnyside. In one of his "grab shots from the train" efforts, dad caught this Atlantic Coast Line car in from one of the Florida trains in the yard. Of note, that long, steel structure below the "Kelnard" sign is the 39th Av station of the BMT Astoria Line.
Photo Date:
7/15/1965
Upload Date:
4/24/2016 4:55:48 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Roster,Yard,Passenger
Locomotives:
Views:
359
Comments:
1
Title:
Electric switcher
Description:
When Pennsy electrified, everything under wire got electric power, including switchers. Dad caught this B 3(0-6-0) working with an RF&P car at Sunnyside from the LIRR. Note the washer moving along the string of P 70's in the background, as well as the sign on the building, proclaiming Sunnyside as the world's largest passenger car yard.
Photo Date:
7/15/1965
Upload Date:
4/27/2016 3:05:13 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Yard,Action
Locomotives:
PRR 3945(BP4)
Views:
1040
Comments:
2
Title:
Gs ready
Description:
Two trains, led by GG 1s(what wasnt in those days??) are ready to go from Sunnyside. Check out the Southern baggage car and coach to the left of the G.
Photo Date:
8/9/1965
Upload Date:
4/19/2016 3:29:18 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Yard,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:
PRR 4914(GG1)
Views:
299
Comments:
2
Title:
Yard A workings
Description:
There are a few things here. The mostly unnoticed, but important work of a section gang is underway in the foreground, back in the day when the power tools were all armstrong power. The rolling stock here is interesting as well. The yellow car that stands out is a Burlington Refrigerated Express car, complete with a Burlington herald and "way of the Zephyrs" lettering. We also have an ACL 50 foot box, and in the factory siding at rear, a Pennsy 40 footer. Note the "Pan Am" sign above the elevated tracks at top. Who would have guessed that 50 years later, they would be a railroad.
Photo Date:
2/11/1966
Upload Date:
5/4/2016 3:26:28 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
RollingStock,Yard,Action
Locomotives:
Views:
146
Comments:
1
Title:
Another section gang
Description:
A LIRR section crew works on the Montauk cutoff, a Frisco box behind them. The big building at left is the LI City courthouse.
Photo Date:
5/20/1966
Upload Date:
5/4/2016 3:39:03 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Yard,Action
Locomotives:
Views:
186
Comments:
1
Title:
Yard view
Description:
Dad would sometimes shoot what he could at Sunnyside yard as his train went past. Hard to see, theres a PRR B 3 electric switching, as they usually were in this era.
Photo Date:
2/15/1969
Upload Date:
3/19/2016 4:33:09 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Winter,Yard,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:
Views:
155
Comments:
1
Title:
Harold sunset
Description:
Dad was riding the back of the train on his way home from work, and caught this view of the home signals at Harold Interlocking. The track at right, with the catenary, is the line to Hell Gate and the New Haven at New Rochelle. The three tracks to its left are the LIRR.
Photo Date:
10/16/1970
Upload Date:
4/14/2016 4:00:38 AM
Location:
Sunnyside, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Scenic,Signal,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:
Views:
156
Comments:
2
Title:
Mainstays
Description:
Despite the cornucopia of passenger equipment that was showing up on long distance trains at this time, the mainstay of the Clockers was still the many ex PRR P 70 coaches. Heres a track full of them as seen from the Long Island RR
Photo Date:
3/14/1972
Upload Date:
11/10/2014 1:01:09 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Yard,Passenger
Locomotives:
Views:
274
Comments:
2
Title:
Sunnyside Yard from the train
Description:
Dad took the LIRR to work every day, and occasionally pointed his camera at various subjects during the trip. One such was Sunnyside yard, seen here in a March 1972 view. The rainbow era is very much underway, as can be seen by not only the usual Pennsy, PC, and SCL cars, but by a few UP interlopers as well. Note the Allied Chemical tank in the foreground. I'm guessing that was the weed sprayer, laid up for the winter.
Photo Date:
3/16/1972
Upload Date:
11/23/2014 3:42:30 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
RollingStock,Yard,Passenger
Locomotives:
Views:
322
Comments:
2
Title:
Harold sunset
Description:
The sun is just about gone from the sky as dads train passes a set of signals at Harold.
Photo Date:
5/20/1975
Upload Date:
5/4/2016 3:40:25 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Scenic,Night,Signal,Action
Locomotives:
Views:
103
Comments:
1
Title:
The GG 1s replacement
Description:
Not exactly, as it turned out. The Gs would hang on another few years, and while the E 60s did steady work on the Corridor, they would not turn out to live up to their promise, with new AEM 7s taking over most of the hard work starting in 1982 or so. We see one of the E 60s at Sunnyside, ready to roll a train of new Amfleet cars to Penn Station for a trip to DC.
Photo Date:
6/12/1977
Upload Date:
3/1/2016 4:18:14 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Yard,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:
AMTK 972(E60)
Views:
488
Comments:
1
Title:
Sunnyside from the air
Description:
Dad was returning to New York from Toronto, and as is his custom, he takes photos from the plane. This one is a stunning view of Sunnyside Yard and the surrounding area. Among the features we are seeing here are, coming in from the left, is the distinctive concrete viaduct of the IRT Flushing Line, the No 7 train, along Queens Blvd. It bears right at the center of the photo, changing to a steel elevated structure to cross over the yard. Out of the photo to the right is the Queensboro Plaza station. Running across the picture from lower left to upper right is the Long Island RR, which also carries Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. The tracks will enter four tunnels as they approach the East River. The yard at far right with freight cars in it is Yard A, used by LIRR, now NY & Atlantic, as a freight facility, though most cars are now handled at Fresh Pond and Holban. Toward the top of the photo, two ramps are seen rising from, then crossing, the LIRR main. This is the Montauk Cutoff, used by freights to access the Montauk Branch, which runs along Newtown Creek, the waterway cutting across the top of the photo. The LIRR Hunterspoint Av station canopy is just beyond the Montauk Cutoff, in the middle of the right of way. Beyond that, at the river front, is the LIRR Long Island City yard and station. The large part of the yard, at left, is the passenger yard. The motor pit is at the lower right of the passenger yard, next to the long gray roofed building. The turning loop is seen going under the LIRR, and entering the yard. Trains terminating at Penn Station would use the loop to reach the yard, where they would be serviced and provisioned for their next trip out of Penn.
Photo Date:
6/2/1986
Upload Date:
3/28/2016 3:52:39 AM
Location:
Sunnyside Yard, NY
Author:
Tom Beckett
Categories:
Scenic,Yard,Transit,Track
Locomotives:
Views:
268
Comments:
2
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