West Side Story: From Death Avenue to the Trench and the Trestle

Cover photo" West Side Cowboy riding north on 10th Avenue. Photo courtesy Kalmbach Publishing Co.
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You'll notice I’ve posted two walks for the same time. Feel free to sign up for both! One will be canceled two days prior depending on my personal arrangements.
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• Distance: Approx. 13-14 miles. Not suitable for slow walkers. Please note there will be many stairs to climb.
• Meeting Point: CVS (Subway #1 Cathedral Pkwy (110 St))
• End Point: High Line (North Entrance at W 34th St)
• Theme: The evolution from street-level chaos to elevated elegance and industrial trenches.

route: https://tinyurl.com/WSLine
Forget the singing and dancing! This 'West Side Story' is all about the tracks. We’re diving into the gritty evolution of the West Side Line—witnessing its transformation from the chaos of street-level rails to hidden trenches and soaring trestles.

The "West Side Line" of the New York Central is about 13 miles in length and extends from a junction with the Main Line at Spuyten Duyvil southerly to the new St. John's Park Freight Station, one of the largest freight stations in the country. Freight stations are also located, on this Line, at 130th Street, 60th Street and 30th Street.
In the territory south of 60th Street the railroad originally was constructed in city streets and followed the route indicated in dashed lines.
It is now being relocated on a private right of way, the location of which is indicated by a solid line. Between the 60th Street and 30th Street Yards the railroad will be constructed below street grade, but from 30th Street to the southerly terminus the tracks have been constructed on a steel viaduct, with minimum clearance of 14 feet above the streets. The "loop track" around the 30th Street Yard constitutes the means of connecting the underground section with the elevated tracks without crossing any streets at grade. Numerous sites adjacent to the New Line are available for the construction of commercial and industrial buildings requiring sidetrack service. A number of companies have already availed themselves of the opportunity to secure sidetrack service, many of the tracks and unloading platforms being constructed within the buildings in such a manner as to afford complete protection from the weather and with no interference from street traffic.

Tour Overview:
The Underground Origins: We will meet at the 110th St station and head to the Riverside Park vents and windows to catch a glimpse of the Freedom Tunnel (the tracks now buried beneath the park).
The Industrial Legacy: Industrial Legacy: We’ll move down to 72nd St to see the tunnel portal, then explore the 60th St Yard relics, including the old turntable site and the iconic Gantry, dock guides, and float bridge on the Hudson River.
The Death Avenue & Ghost Sites: Walking south from 60th Street Yard to 30th Street Yard, we’ll trace the evolution of 11th Ave. We'll explore the hidden rail cuts where trains were moved off the streets, revealing 'Dead Walls' once covered in ghost signs for 1930s passengers. Along this historic route, we’ll also pass the old West Side Livery stables.
The Southern Terminus: We’ll follow the original 10th Ave route all the way to the New St. John’s Freight Terminal, and continue even further to Laight St/Varick St to see the site of the original St. John’s Park Freight Depot/Terminal.
The High Line Finale: After reaching the true southern end will we loop back north and finally walk the High Line itself, ending our journey back at the 30th St Yard (Hudson Yards).