Hi everyone. Does anyone know anything about the Staten Island Railway? I was reading recently about the Brookville Locomotive delivery to Metro North and CDOT and the article mentioned that 4 engines will be going to the Staten Island Railway. Is this a passenger or freight carrier? Is it accessible for photography? What kind of schedule do they run on? I live in New York City and this seems like it would be an interesting operation to photograph. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Spoken like a true New Yorker! Lives his whole life in New York City, never sets foot in Staten Island! :-) Never picked up a Subway map and noticed that blue line on that tiny island next to New Jersey? :-)
SIRT was once owned by the B&O railroad, sold to the MTA in 1970. The B&O operated electric rapid transit passenger service and regular freight service. B&O retained the freight service until 1985, when they sold to Deleware Otsego, operators of the NYS&W. I think the last freight run was 1988 or so. The Arthur Kill drawbridge has recently been reactivated and freight service has resumed to Staten Island. Read more about it here:
http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/simap.htm
http://www.nycsubway.org/nyc/sirt/
You can also ask your SIRT questions in the NYC Subway Forum:
http://railroad.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=68
-otto-