trackage at West Albany, NY

PB155072

trackage at West Albany, NY

Infrastructure

Photo was taken from the West Albany bridge looking west over the two east/west main line passenger tracks. The West Albany bridge ran north to south over the extreme end of the West Albany car shops and the semi abandoned West Albany yard. Located north of the shops show on the right of the photo. From late 1924 with the opening of the high Alfred Smith bridge at Castleton, NY over the Hudson river, all long-haul freight trains ran through the expanded Selkirk yard where the freight cars were run over the classification hill and re assembled into new east, south and west bound trains. The West Albany yard had previously been the main classification yard of the NYCRR from the founding of the railroad in 1853 and the opening of the Selkirk/Castleton bridge in 1924! After 1924 the West Albany yard handled but two long distance trains and all the local rail traffic! The road on the south side (left in photo) of the main line was built to access the new ornate 1902 wooden West Albany passenger and freight station. It was closed during the 1930's depression and torn down. Good spot for photo taking as west bound passenger trains emerged, gaining speed under the West Albany bridge! The semi abandon yard became after WWII the bone yard, collection point of steam engines and heavy weight passenger cars designated for demolition! A smaller yard still is located in the original area of the West Albany yard. It is used to service a few local industries!

L. D. Tinkham

2-1/2x4 glossy photo

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trackage

West Albany, NY