100th Anniversary of the NYWB - 1912-2012

[Jeff Smith]

I'm sure Otto won't mind me sharing the latest newsletter on the anniversary:

April Update
After a meeting with Barbara Davis at the New Rochelle Public Library yesterday, I am pleased to announce that we have found a location and settled on a date for our Centennial Celebration! Please Join us on Saturday, July 14, from 10:00am to 2:00pm! The details are still being worked out, but save the date if you want to be a part of this historic event!

What kind of event?
The New Rochelle Public Library is making their theater setting available to us to host our event. I am trying to piece together a session that will include four informative presentations about various aspects of the railroad's history, as well as its relevance to the modern day. These sessions would be followed up by a bus tour of various sites around Westchester where remains of our favorite railroad can still be found.

What will it cost?
Due to the policies of the library, the morning session will be free to attend. Any additional costs would be related to the bus tour, which is being planned and priced out as we speak. Attendees would be responsible for their own meals and lodging.

How can I help?
I am looking for assistance in several areas. First, I am seeking sponsorships to help offset the costs of setting up this meeting (ranging from printing, to providing refreshments, to the cost of the bus tour). Second, I will also be looking for folks willing to bring artifacts from the railroad to display just for the day. We will have access to the Back Room adjoining the theatre in which we can have a display of signs, tickets, timetables, and other artifacts from the railroad.

Where can I find the latest info?
Updates will be posted to our Facebook fan page, the Centennial Celebration web page, and this mailing list. Your support and interest is appreciated!

[Jeff Smith]

And additional news retrieved from Otto's NYWBRY Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/433169666694907/

and the official FB page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/nywbry

[RealLivingFiveCorners]

Hello all.... please forgive me in my post as I am fairly newbie here.... I had the pleasure to do the renovation at the Heathcote Station a few years ago... We currently use the station as a Real Living Five Corners Real Estate Office. Since the line was official opened on May 29,1912 we had a Bell engraved with that date and hung when we opened.... fast forward we felt that it would be great to hold some sort of an event...at the suggestion of Susie who handles these types of events for us, we felt that Memorial Day (1 day early) would be a much better date to hold the event.

We have some great fun planned including a train which will be put in the parking lot and a local Classic Car on display as well....

We have the party starting at 5pm to 7pm with barbaque, music, balloons, giveaways for the kids...that sort of thing... we invite all the railroad folks to join us and I look forward to meeting you all.

Best,
Jon

[Jeff Smith]

I heard our very own Roger Wines, aka Fordham Road, will be speaking at the July 14th celebration organized by Otto: https://www.facebook.com/#!/nywbry

[fordhamroad]

Hi Jon --

You guys did a gret job on restoring the Heathcote Station. Nice idea for Memorial Day. I hope the community celebrates with you. I will try and drop by and present my best wishes in person. Roger Wines

[Otto Vondrak]

On May 29, 1912, the New York, Westchester & Boston opened to the public, initially running service between East 180th Street in The Bronx and North Avenue station in New Rochelle. The full system from Harlem River to White Plains would be in service by the end of the summer. Today only a small portion remains between Dyre Avenue and East 180th Street as part of the No. 5 Lexington Avenue Express of the New York City Subway.

-- Read the full history of the line here:

http://nywbry.com/history.php


-- Join us for a Centennial Celebration on July 14:

http://nywbry.com/nywb100.php

-otto m. vondrak

[Otto Vondrak]

New York, Westchester & Boston Railway Centennial Celebration

Please join me on July 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and enjoy interesting exhibits and slide shows that will explore the mystery and intrigue surrounding the construction, operation, and eventual decline of the NYW&B. A number of historical organizations (including NHRHTA and Urban Transit Club) and vendors will also be on-hand with displays and railroad-related items for sale.

For complete listing, please visit:

http://nywbry.com/nywb100.php

The event is being hosted by the New Rochelle Public Library, and is FREE. New Rochelle is served by Amtrak and Metro-North, and the Library is a short 6-minute walk from the train station.

Following the events at the library will be a bus tour to visit the ruins and remains of the New York, Westchester & Boston around lower Westchester County. This is an extra fare option. Tickets are $25 per person. The tour is limited to 25 persons. As of this posting, only 14 seats are remaining. Reserve your ticket today:

http://nywbry.com/nywb100.php

I look forward to seeing everyone in New Rochelle on July 14!

-otto-

[kjd73170]

Thank you Otto and all of the sponsors and speakers for putting on a wonderful 100th anniversary show in New Rochelle. The library there was most hospitable to our needs and the speakers were fantastic to listen to. For anyone who missed it the displays in the lobby will remain up as I remember for a little while with some great photos and historical information of the NYW&B.

[fordhamroad]

-For those of you who missed it, Otto & friends did a great job organizing and running the 100th Birthday event in New Rochelle. Many thanks.
-I posted a brief description of the celebration on the NHRHTA website.

Best wishes

Roger Wines

[Otto Vondrak]

Thanks everyone who attended and made the event a success. I just sent out the invites, it was everyone who came to New Rochelle to remember the Westchester that made the day special!

-otto-

[Otto Vondrak]

Pelham Patch picked up the story:

http://pelham.patch.com/articles/photos ... o-10742318

About 150 people attended the New York, Westchester & Boston Railway Centennial Celebration on July 14 in the Ossie Davis Theatre at the New Rochelle Public Library. The New York, Westchester & Boston Railway opened to the public on May 29, 1912, stretching 21 miles from White Plains in suburban Westchester County to Harlem River Terminal in the Bronx. The line lasted for 25 years before shutting down in 1937. Organizations that participated in the event included the Office of Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, Friends of the Highbrook High Line, New Haven, Railroad Historical & Technical Association and the Urban Transit Club.

[PATTBAA]

I have the wiring diagrams of W & B MU coaches--- [email protected]