Metro-North New Haven Line Train Approaching 125th St-Harlem Station

Metro-North New Haven Line Train Approaching 125th St-Harlem Station

On a December afternoon, a Stamford, Connecticut-bound New Haven Line train approaches
the elevated 125th Street-Harlem Station of New York's Metro-North Commuter Railroad.

The train, made up of multiple-unit M8 Kawasaki railcars is operating on 650-volt DC power furnished by third rail. However, M8 trains are dual-mode and also have pantographs for the stretch beyond New Rochelle, New York, on which they'll take high-voltage AC power from the overhead catenary, for the rest of the route into New Haven or intermediate points such as Stamford. Interestingly, the power transitions are made "on the fly" at New Rochelle, either "pan-up" for the continuing journey north or "pan-down" for third-rail operation into Grand Central Terminal.

In the distance, the Midtown Manhattan skyline can be seen, dominated by the tall form of 432 Park Avenue.

©2021 Steve Ember