Harmon Shops Open House RETURNS October 5th

That was a blast! A huge thank you to all of the extremely friendly MTA employees; hopefully the event returns for next year!

Even the Comet III retained its WoH number.

I was pleasantly surprised that the format was much like the old open houses, just with time slots. The description implied that it was a guided tour of the entire complex, but what we got was WAY better. They really went all out this year with the exhibits. Seeing the CTrail Geep on display (as I had hoped would happen) was the icing on the cake!


Now the question is: just how much money do I fork over to Rapido in exchange for those Shoreliners and FL9s…

NH (and all that attended the CH Shop Open House) - I have these questions:

How was the MTAPD security and ticket check handled before boarding the bus to the shop complex?

Was one required to leave at the end of the assigned ticketed time period or be able to stay longer?

How large was the turnout at any given time? Was there any crowding?

How far north did the Hudson Line special excursion trains go? (for those that rode them)

Did MNCR have exhibits from the various departments remembering past CH Shop OH's?

MNCR has always been good with the equipment on display judging by these (and past) photos...
Were there any special standouts this time around that were noteable?

There are good sample photos posted in this topic - and YT video available...
Thanks to all contributors...MACTRAXX

NH2060 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 06, 2024 8:34 am Now the question is: just how much money do I fork over to Rapido in exchange for those Shoreliners and FL9s…

I bought a set each of the CT and MTA Shoreliners direct from Rapido during their initial run. I want to say it was $300 per set (2 coaches and 1 cab per set). I own 1 each of the original run McGinnis and Beach Ball FL9's, but bought them from eBay after they were out of production and before I knew they were going to do another production run.

I highly suggest ordering from TrainWorld. Based out of Brooklyn, their prices are lower than ordering direct and their customer service is top notch.
https://www.trainworld.com/shop-by-bran ... &scale=151

I'm looking forward to the P32 run they announced at the show. I'd like to pre-order a couple of the heritage units and maybe the current scheme one.

MACTRAXX wrote: ↑Sun Oct 06, 2024 9:26 am How was the MTAPD security and ticket check handled before boarding the bus to the shop complex?

Pretty standard for most events these days. MTA staff had a table set up outside the main entrance to the station and were scanning the ticket barcodes and handing out brochures and color coded wrist bands for each time slot. Ours were blue for the 9AM slot. Next to that table was a bag check with a K9 officer and two other officers at the actual table checking the bag. My wife brought her small backpack and they just opened it and looked through quick. If you've ever been to a concert, comedy show, or theme park it's the same process. There was no metal detector or wand. Once you got done there you walked to the buses, which were comfortable Peter Pan coach buses.

MACTRAXX wrote: ↑Sun Oct 06, 2024 9:26 am Was one required to leave at the end of the assigned ticketed time period or be able to stay longer?

We didn't stay until the exact end of our slot as we had to get back to the station to catch our 11AM Empire Service back to Rhinecliff. Throughout the event the shop internal comm speakers were notifying the time every half hour and informing attendees with certain color wrist bands they had X-number of minutes remaining in their time slot. I'm sure the MTA employees were keeping an eye out and prepared to point folks with time-expired wrist bands towards the buses. Disney does a similar thing for the "after hour" events to sift regular day guests out from the ticketed event guests; you'll be walking along and if a Cast Member shouts "Wrist bands!" you hold your wrist up for them to see. That said, at no time did we feel rushed.

MACTRAXX wrote: ↑Sun Oct 06, 2024 9:26 am How large was the turnout at any given time? Was there any crowding?

It was hard to gauge crowd size due to the size and openness of the shop... maybe a couple hundred per slot? It didn't feel very crowded and the only time we kinda sorta bumped into people was walking through the narrower areas where the booths were setup on both sides of the lane.

MACTRAXX wrote: ↑Sun Oct 06, 2024 9:26 am Did MNCR have exhibits from the various departments remembering past CH Shop OH's?

Yes they did! There was a small exhibit on the history of the shop as you first walked in along with a cool display of the employee shirts from each trade represented in the shop itself. From there you could walk straight to the equipment display or left or right to see the booths presented by each department (MTA PD, communications, signalling, various MoW, etc.)

MACTRAXX wrote: ↑Sun Oct 06, 2024 9:26 am MNCR has always been good with the equipment on display judging by these (and past) photos...
Were there any special standouts this time around that were noteable?

The NYC and "Beach Ball" heritage units, along with the employee appreciation unit. The Phoebe Snow cars were on the raised pit tracks, as well as one of the BL14 work units, the CT DoT Geep, and the "Laser Train" Comet cab. The raised service walkways were accessible to get close up looks at the heritage units, and the side lanes of the pit tracks were accessible to get some great views of the undercarriages of the others. Each of the currently operated EMU types were also on display, showing off the capability of the train set lifts for removing trucks and wheel sets. What you see in the photos I posted above were what you got. That said, a stellar display!

Just to add to the previous comments:

The check in was quick and easy, and there was very little wait to board a shuttle bus to the facility. The shop was large enough so that there was little if any crowding. The equipment displays were more impressive than I remember from years past. I think that the design of the new shop contributed to this. It was great to see the heritage units up close, especially the employee tribute locomotive. A grid system was set up so you could search for an employee's name on an information board or by scanning a QR code, and quickly locate their picture on the locomotive. I was able to visit all the department displays and check out the equipment in the allotted time without feeling rushed. (Of course extra time would have been nice, but I can't complain.)

The train ride ran north to Beacon and return, a 52 mile round trip. It was referred to as a "Foliage" train, but it is a little early for the leaves to be in full colors. I believe that previous open houses were held later in October. Still, a ride along the Hudson is wonderful at any time of year.

I would also note that since it has been about 20 years since the last open house, many of the employees participating were probably not even employed by Metro North back then. They did a fantastic job making it a success, and I do hope that it will once again become an annual event.

Bill

What a great time!

I showed up early at the check-in and had to wait around until it was my time to board the shuttle. No big deal - it was a beautiful day. Even saw the Pullman "Dover Harbor" go by on one of the Amtrak Empire trains as I was waiting.

The equipment displays were great... I got a lot of good shots and didn't have to deal with a lot of folks blocking the shot. It was my first time seeing the NYC heritage wrap up close ... I really wish Metro North would chose a new scheme for all of their locomotives, as I'm not a fan of the grey/blue/red stripe. Of course, the employee tribute engine is great... searching the mosaic, you can even find a picture Employee 00000001... the Commodore!

As mentioned, the only time it was crowded was walking around some of the display tables - that was it. Really, Metro North went all-out for this event. I even saw and got to meet the president of the railroad, Catherine Rinaldi, who seemed like a very nice person. It was the first open house she attended and she seemed very pleased.

The train ride boarded at the station itself, not at the shop area. The conductor's announcement on the train was funny.... "this train makes NO stops! We will go to Beacon, then head back to Croton/Harmon". It was a very nice ride up to Beacon and back (change-of-ends at Beacon was done on the side platform). Again, the blue skies and the ride along the Hudson make it a great ride, regardless of the foliage. And my trip back to GCT was pushed in by a New Haven heritage painted P32, so there's that!

Now I just need good pics of the PC and CR wraps. PC happened to be at Danbury all weekend... but it was more enjoyable to spend a weekend in NYC and go to Harmon.

I can only imagine what planning goes for an event like this, putting work on pause in order to have this event. What great PR, for sure. Great job, Metro-North, and to all the employees!

shadyjay wrote: ↑Sun Oct 06, 2024 4:55 pm What a great time!

I showed up early at the check-in and had to wait around until it was my time to board the shuttle. No big deal - it was a beautiful day. Even saw the Pullman "Dover Harbor" go by on one of the Amtrak Empire trains as I was waiting.

Now I just need good pics of the PC and CR wraps. PC happened to be at Danbury all weekend... but it was more enjoyable to spend a weekend in NYC and go to Harmon.

Coincidentally, that Empire train was our ride home. I thought about grabbing a photo of the varnish as we got off in Rhinecliff but had enough foaming for one morning lol.

Also coincidentally, and of note, we passed either the CR or PC unit laying over in Poughkeepsie both on the way down and way back up. It was hard to see the logo on the side, I just caught the yellow nose and blue body.

Would've been the Conrail wrap... I saw it on a train heading south as I was coming up to Harmon Saturday. I tried searching for it on Sunday at GCT and on the MTA Radar, but couldn't find it.

The PC wrap was spending the weekend in Danbury outside the museum's main entrance. The DRM has been really good about posting if one will be laying over on that track and in public view on their IG and FB pages.

MACTRAXX, I scanned these quick with my phone tonight, I thought you may find them interesting. One is the event brochure, the other is a post card that was up for grabs at the entrance exhibit.









Also, for anyone interested, the Rapido reveal of the upcoming P32 run

It was a great event! Glad to finally get back after so many years. Extremely well organized, and the facility is amazing. Turnout seemed to be excellent. Everyone super friendly and excited about what they were showing. Everyone very knowledgeable, and a surprising amount of swag available. I hope that it is a yearly event.

I'd say the only thing they could have gone smoother was the foliage train. Maybe they switched it up later in the day, but the first run was on track 1, which was going to be the opposite direction than most traffic. And certainly would have been confusing to regular customers. They had us move to the track 2 platform. Probably should have had them run from track 4 or 5.

NR - Thank You for posting the Open House pamphlet overview...At past Open Houses MNCR handed out
similar information about CH Shop emphasizing the equipment on display. Good to see back after 16 years...

The big difference this time looked to be the absence of any FL9 units - Could MNCR have brought one back
for Open House display purposes from any of their current owners?

On the day of one of those early 2000s CH Open Houses me and some fellow LI Sunrise Trail NRHS members
went up to the Croton North Dead Line and found the remains of the three LIRR FL9s in the process of being
cannibalized for usable parts...After the 10 C1 cars were sold the 300, 301 and 302 were ceded back to MNCR
then promptly retired...This was a memorable but somewhat sad sight to see those FL9s in this instance...

Seeing the three MNCR Rapido P32 HO units should have added (or better) descriptions - For each:
214-Employee Tribute Scheme
211-New York Central System heritage (The FL9s in this scheme looked very good...)
208-MNCR 1980s Original Heritage Scheme (Who came up with "Beach Ball" anyway?)

For the other three - I never liked the plain "Delivery" scheme - especially the application on the FL9s...
The current MNCR scheme looks good to me especially in comparison to the LIRR DE/DM 30 unit colors...
The 1960s New Haven schemes revived by CDOT beginning on rebuilt FL9 units was and is a good move
to salute CT's most important fallen-flag railroad...I remember seeing the then-new NH P32 units being
displayed at a previous CH Open House and liked this older color scheme fitting well on a new unit...

Seeing P32 #203 looking somewhat rough my thought is to apply the New Haven 1950s green and orange
color scheme - and let's not forget the parentheses around (203) as another added salute to Connecticut

In closing MNCR brought back well this important event...MACTRAXX

I remember reading about the Croton Harmon Open House in this forum as a kid in middle school and being so interested in it. Fast forward to 2024, I'm a man and I have the means & time to travel. So when I saw this thread, I saved the date & made the trip. It was nice seeing the Genesis locomotives as they've been my favorite as long as I can remember. The Laser Train was nice to see as well. Beyond the trains, I enjoyed the Legendary Metro Man,  displays, vintage memorabilia and the signal display. The staff were helpful & accommodating. Everyone seemed like they were happy we were there. "Everyone" includes the police and bus drivers too. 

Beyond the Open House, the Foliage excursion was nice. Non stop from Croton-Harmon to Beacon & back. Plus it was my first time going north of Croton Harmon by train, and the sights were beautiful. I was somewhat surprised it used the main station. After watching old YouTube videos, I was expecting it to arrive & depart directly from the yard. But, seeing how it's been at least 15 years since the last Open House, I'm sure a few things changed.

I made a YouTube video on the Open House itself -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv99BAKdU10
I labeled the locomotives & Rolling Stock with timestamps, in case you don't have 33 minutes to spare. Nice to cross that off my bucket list since childhood.

My only issue, had nothing to do with the Open House itself. Being a railfan with some time to spare, I railfanned a bit at the Croton-Harmon station before my time slot, then a little before I left. The amount of railfans without a care for personal space on the NARROW platform for Track 1 was alarming to me. Some of whom (even unattended children) literally ran and yelled to get to the front of trains to film them leaving and take photos. Mind you, the station was still in operation for the public. Imagine hearing heavy footsteps rapidly approaching on a NARROW train platform with 3rd rail on either side.

I'm a slim guy and even I at times feel "big" on that platform, so I'm always cautious and take my time. Not just for myself, but for people around me. I also don't want to startle any railroad employees by being too close to the edge. It certainly wasn't everyone, but it was like 99% of the crowd just hovered over eachother at the smallest possible location at the station.

Moral of the story / in closing, I had fun. But please for the love of whoever you believe in, be safe & considerate when railfanning.