Speed Graphic Film and Video | The New York Central in "New York Calling" (1950) @SpeedGraphicFilmVideo | Uploaded February 2019 | Updated October 2024, 5 hours ago.
"New York Calling" is a 20-minute promotional film that the New York Central made to boost New York City tourism. There are two versions of this film: the original 1942 version, with streamlined Hudson locomotives at the head of the Empire State Express; and this version, made in 1950, with diesel power in place of steam. Almost all the rest of the 1942 film was carried over unchanged into the 1950 version.
This is a railfan's version of "New York Calling:" it's been cut to four minutes in order to focus on the railroad scenes. The original soundtrack was just narration and music, with no location sound, so I've replaced it with some period-appropriate pop music.
Some further railfan notes:
--At 0:19 and 1:03 you can see telltale signs of smoke and steam from the J3a's.
--At 1:41 the train crosses the NYC's 1897 swing bridge across the Harlem, which was replaced in the 1950's by the present lift bridge.
You can see the entire 1950 version of the film here: filmpreservation.org/sponsored-films/screening-room/new-york-calling-1942