June 2, 2014:
I got up with my alarm and finished packing. I went to the lobby and checked out of my hotel. My cab came a few minutes later. We headed out and got to the Amtrak station in plenty of time. I saw a couple other railfans waiting for the New York bound Crescent as well. There were a few people at the station. It turned out the southbound Crescent was running late. When train 19's arrival was announced, I walked to the south side of the platform and photographed the train when it arrived.
I attempted to film the train leaving. After it had left, I went back to the station to await the arrival of the northbound Crescent.
Train #20 arrived on time. I filmed it pulling in and photographed the train.
I noticed that Amfleet 2 coach #25100; the coach I rode on the Three Rivers back in 2005 was in the consist. I was seated in Amfleet 2 coach #25098. I was assigned an aisle seat and had a seatmate who was going to Washington DC. The train departed. I took out the comfort kit I had bought on the southbound Crescent a few days earlier. I had a little trouble at first inflating my pillow, but I soon managed. I was able to get some sleep.
I woke up just before 6:00 am as we stopped in Lynchburg. I asked if it was a smoke stop. I was told no. I went to the lounge car and filmed an Amtrak Regional train on the track next to us.
I went back to my seat and rested for a little while. I had breakfast in the dining car which was
another Heritage diner. After breakfast, I returned to my coach seat.
The next stop was Charlottesville. Charlottesville was a smoke stop. I stepped off and photographed the train.
I got back on the train and we departed. I went to the lounge car for a little. The train stopped at Culpeper. I watched the DVD I bought at the museum. We stopped at Manassas.
When we stopped at Alexandria, there was a Regional train on the track next to us. We departed Alexandria. However we stopped under the flight path for Washington National Airport to allow the regional train to pass. I went to the lounge car and filmed the train pass. We were soon underway again. From the train, I could see the Smithsonian and the U.S. Capitol builder. We stopped at Washington Union station a few minutes later. This was where the diesel locomotives would be replaced by an electric locomotive. I got off and took some photos.
I then photographed AEM7 #927 as it coupled up to the Regional.
Next, AEM7 #920 came to couple up to the Crescent. I photographed it before I filmed it coupling up to the train.
I then got back on the train. The HEP was restored and the train left a couple minutes late, but I figured we'd make the time up. As we passed Amtrak's Washington shops, I filmed the yard.
I had moved to the window seat with my seatmate having gotten off in Washington DC. The train stopped in Baltimore. After we departed, I filmed the derailed and damaged freight cars in the CSX yard.
I phoned my friend Dan who I met on the Adirondack in 2007. I had told him I would be in the New York area. However, I found out from him that we wouldn't be able to meet today or two days later.
The train stopped at Wilmington. After we departed Wilmington, I filmed Amtrak's Bear shops. The Horizon coach I saw a few days ago was still there. We stopped at Philadelphia a little while later. I went to the lounge car for lunch after we departed Philadelphia.
I returned to my coach seat. The train stopped at Trenton.
A little while later, we stopped at Newark. I saw another Amtrak train stop at Newark. We departed and went into the Hudson River tunnel before we arrived into Penn station a few minutes early. I got off and took some photos.
I then went upstairs and to the subway. I was staying at a hostel a short ride from Penn Station. I bought a MTA weekly pass and boarded a southbound subway train. Either a C or E train would do. I saw a train of newer subway cars arrive. I photographed it thinking it was an E train since it uses newer cars but it turned out to be the C.
I rode one station. I wondered if the old R32s were still in service, though I saw a few trains in service on the C.
I left the station looking for my hostel thinking it was in the area. Though I ended up having a more difficult time than I expected but I eventually found the hostel and checked in. I had a private room with a shared bathroom. I went to my room and decided to have a nap because I was feeling tired.
Awhile later, I headed out. I boarded a northbound E line train and rode to the second last stop. I was thinking of going to JFK airport by way of the Air Train. I found my MTA card didn't work for the Air Train. I decided against riding it. I did notice a Tim Horton's in the terminal. I decided to ride the Long Island Railroad back into Manhattan. A train to Penn Station was due about the time so I bought a ticket. I photographed the train when it got to the platform.
The train departed. The conductor checked my ticket as we headed towards Penn Station. As we passed Amtrak's Sunnyside Yard, I filmed the equipment in the yard. I saw the equipment from the Crescent which I had arrived into New York on in the yard. The train got to Penn Station and I got off and photographed the train.
I then boarded an E line train to the World Trade Center station. I got there and photographed the new Freedom Tower.
I then went back to the subway. I boarded a train of the old R32 cars on the C. I photographed the train when it pulled in.
I rode to Penn station and attempted to film the train leaving. The driver didn't seem to like it. I repositioned and filmed the train pulling out. Photography is allowed on the New York subway system with hand held cameras like mine. I knew I was in the right.
I left Penn Station and walked over and had dinner at a nearby Wendy's. After dinner, I took a photo of the Empire State Building.
I then walked to the subway and boarded a “1” line train two stops north to 50th Street. I then walked over to the Gershwin Theatre as I would be seeing a show there two days later. After, I walked down to Times Square. I saw several people dressed in costumes. I photographed Mario and Iron Man. I also saw someone dressed as Smurfette from The Smurfs but I didn’t photograph her.
I went into the Toys R Us in Times Square and looked around. After, I left and saw a woman wearing only rope and body paint. She was topless. I DID NOT photograph her! Even if I did, I wouldn’t add it in the report. I don’t think the good folks at Trainweb would appreciate nudity!
I stopped in a pharmacy as I had gotten a sunburn from North Carolina. I bought something for it and then headed to find the Port Authority Bus Terminal where I would go tomorrow morning.
I was trying to find where to buy tickets for New Jersey Transit who runs the bus to Six Flags Great Adventure. It took me several minutes, but I eventually had an idea where to go.
Someone offered to help me find my way, but he asked for money. I gave him $1. He wanted more, but I told him no. He wasn’t happy for that. He should be thankful I even gave him $1 since I would probably have figured it out anyway. I found the ticket windows for New Jersey Transit. I then returned to my hostel. I set the alarm for 7:30 and called it a night.
June 3, 2014:
I got up at 7:30 and got dressed. Today I was going to Six Flags Great Adventure. I went though the lobby of my hostel which was serving breakfast, but decided to eat at the bus terminal.
I walked to the subway and caught a train of R32 subway cars on the C line two stops north to the Port Authority Bus terminal. At the bus terminal, I bought a combination round trip ticket plus admission to Six Flags Great Adventure. I then had breakfast at a restaurant in the terminal. I then went to board my bus to the amusement park.
I boarded the bus which was a MCI highway coach. The bus left on time. We went though the Lincoln tunnel and into New Jersey. We drove past Newark airport. I was able to see a Porter Airlines Bombardier Q400 at the terminal.
I had expected the bus to make a stop in Newark, but we didn’t. We went directly to the park. Mind you, it was a long ride.
Once I got off the bus, I headed for the park. The main reason I wanted to go to Six Flags Great Adventure was to ride Kingda Ka, the world’s highest roller coaster and the fastest in North America. In 2005, I rode Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point which is a slightly smaller version of Kingda Ka, but I wanted to ride the biggest.
I went through metal detectors and went into the park. Shortly after I entered the park, I saw that Kingda Ka was closed! I wasn’t happy about that since that was the reason I came to the park. I went as close to the ride as I could and I took a photo.
Here’s Kingda Ka with the path blocked off for construction.
The reason Kingda Ka was closed was they were building a drop tower on the big hill on Kingda Ka. I would later find out that Kingda Ka should be reopened by August. I resolved that I would return to Six Flags some point.
I went to Nitro which looks like to be the second biggest roller coaster in the park. It reminded me of Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland back home.
There was a problem with Nitro as I got close to the front of the line. However, it was fixed a few minutes later. I went on the roller coaster. After, I wandered around and photographed a bus on display at the park.
I then went on El Toro; a wooden roller coaster. I had to put my money belt in a locker to ride though, but the rate was good. I photographed El Toro.
I then got my money belt and looked around. I bought lunch. I wandered around a bit before I went on the mine train roller coaster.
Next, I went on Bizarro which is a roller coaster with seven inversions; yes, SEVEN inversions!
I thought there would be a bus back to New York soon so I headed to the entrance. I got what I thought was a hand stamp but it wasn’t visible.
I went to the bus stop to wait for the bus back to New York. After a few minutes an employee told me that there was no bus until after 5:00 pm; 2.5 hours later. He suggested another bus which would take me to Freehold where I could transfer to a bus to New York. Unfortunately, it was worse. There wasn’t any bus service for hours which is kinda bad if someone took the bus in had to leave or if someone missed the morning bus to the park.
I phoned my friend Dan in the off chance he was in the area. He wasn’t and we would not meet up on this trip.
Awhile later, the employee who suggested the bus to Freehold suggested I go back in the park. I said the stamp wasn’t visible. He said it was more of an infrared image. I took his advice and was able to go back into the park.
I went to the Superman Ultimate Flight and photographed it. I noticed dark clouds were coming from the south. It had been hot throughout the day. Just as I got to the front of the line, it started raining. The ride was closed. Today was Murphy’s Law at its finest.
I waited awhile until the rain started to let up. By now, it was 5:00 pm. I made my way back to the bus terminal and saw a bus heading for New York. I photographed it thinking it would be my ride back to New York.
There was a long line of people waiting to get on. I was unable to get on because the bus was full. I had to wait for 30 minutes outside until the next bus came. When it came I photographed it.
It started to look like that the person in front of me would be the last one to get on the bus leaving me to wait for 30 more minutes, but six empty seats were found and I was able to get on. The bus soon departed. The bus didn’t go directly to New York, but stopped in Old Bridge before we got on the highway. We drove past a Norfolk Southern freight yard where I saw a BNSF locomotive but I was unable to photograph it.
We also drove past Newark Airport where I watched a plane take off from the bus. We then drove through the Lincoln tunnel and encountered traffic. However, we soon got to the Port Authority Bus Terminal where I got off and bought dinner. I then headed to the 42nd street station on the “1” line and rode one stop north and used an ATM at a TD bank. I then took the subway back to my hostel. I worked on this report for a few minutes before I called it a night.
June 4, 2014:
I got up at 8:30 am and got dressed. I went downstairs for breakfast. Today I would be visiting the New York Transit Museum which I visited back in 2007.
I
then left the hostel and walked to the subway station and boarded a C train and
rode one stop south where I transferred to the A line. I rode the “A” train to
Hoyt-Schermerhorn Street station; I filmed the train pulling
out before I walked two blocks to the museum. I saw a school group was visiting
the museum as well. I paid my admission and went in. I first photographed an
exhibit about the initial construction of the subway.
I then photographed more exhibits.
I also photographed a poster about racism on transit in New
York; predating Rosa Parks’ refusal to move by over 100 years!
Next, I photographed an old a conduit system from New York’s former streetcar network as well as a couple posters on display.
I then went downstairs to see the subway cars on display. Since I last visited in 2007, the museum acquired a few more cars and has changed which cars are on display. The cars on display at the museum’s location are only some cars in their collection. The rest of the collection is stored elsewhere on the New York subway system. Sometimes, the museum will run their cars on the subway system! Needless to say, I wish they had done something similar in Toronto! I photographed the cars on display.
I photographed a caboose the museum had acquired from the Long Island Railroad. It looked a little odd being in a New York subway station.
I then photographed a few more subway cars including a double articulated subway car which I jokingly called the “Toronto Rocket predecessor” even though it has nothing to do with the TTC’s newest subway trains.
This is the double articulated subway car.
Like in 2007, I walked through a series of turnstiles on display. I photographed some of them as well as an exhibit on old tokens with a current Metrocard.
I went into the gift shop, but didn’t buy anything. I then left the museum. I went out looking for the Wendy’s I remember eating at back in 2007, but it was gone.
I walked a couple blocks and photographed some RTS’s in service before I went for a ride.
While I was on the RTS, I saw an MTA Orion 5 pass but was unable to photograph it. I got off the RTS and filmed it pulling away. I waited to see if another Orion 5 would come. None did. I caught a bus back to the subway and rode the “4” train a few stops. I left the station had had lunch at a McDonald’s a few blocks away. I then walked back to the subway and returned to my hostel.
Once I got back to my hostel, I went online because I knew a former MTA Redbird subway car was on display in Queens. I found out where and boarded an E train and rode to the Kew Gardens Union Turnpike station. I got off the train and walked to Queens Borough Hall. I found the Redbird on display and photographed it.
The car is used to have tourist information about the Queens area. However, it was closed when I got there. I saw a D60 high floor in service thinking it would stop at a bus stop I was standing at but it turned onto a side street.
I then walked back in the direction of the subway station. When I got there, I saw another D60 had arrived. I photographed it and waited to go for a ride.
I got on the bus and went for a ride. I thought the bus would be going directly to JFK Airport, but it was going through many side streets. I figured I didn’t have enough time to get to JFK Airport as I had somewhere to be in the evening.
I got off where the route meets a branch of the “A” subway line. I photographed the D60 and filmed it pulling away.
I then walked to the subway station. I just missed a train, but there was another train in the station. I walked towards the front car and photographed the train.
I then boarded the front car and waited for the train to leave. I saw a pigeon land in the subway car, but it flew out before the train left.
I rode downtown and got off at 34th street and had dinner at the Tick Tock diner; where my family and I ate at a lot back in 2007. After dinner, I photographed a Nova LFS Articulated bus on the Jump service which I assume is New York’s version of VIVA as well as the Empire State Building.
I then boarded a “1” line subway and rode to the 50th street station and walked to the Gershwin Theatre. I was going to see the musical “Wicked” on Broadway. If you haven’t heard of Wicked, it tells the back story of the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. I wanted to see the show for months and this was the best opportunity.
I couldn’t find my ticket, but after seeing a ticket agent, I was able to get in without having to pay again. I bought the soundtrack from the show on CD. Photography was not allowed in the theatre.
I bought a snack and a drink and took my seat. This was the first time anyone from my family had seen a show on Broadway though I had seen a couple plays/musicals in Toronto; “My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding” and “The Railway Children”.
The show went for two hours and 45 minutes including a 15 minute intermission. I enjoyed the play immensely.
After the Play, I took some pictures outside the theatre.
Here’s Glinda and Elphaba; the Wicked Witch of the West.
I then caught a subway back to my hostel. I accidentally got off one station too soon. I waited for the next train and rode it one stop further. I photographed the train pulling out.
I then walked back to my hostel and worked on this report for a few minutes. I eventually set the alarm on my phone and called it a night.
Click to read
about the last two days of my trip: Trip back home
