A once-in-a-lifetime Centennial Celebration of the New York, Westchester & Boston Railway will be held in the Ossie Davis Theater of the New Rochelle Public Library on Saturday, July 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 pm, followed by a bus tour of NYW&B Railway sites, which will take place from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Author and event organizer Otto Vondrak will be joined by other railroad enthusiasts and historians in presenting interesting exhibits and slide shows that will explore the mystery and intrigue surrounding the construction, operation, and eventual decline of this state-of-the-art rapid transit railway.
A number of historical organizations and vendors will also be on-hand with displays and railroad-related items for sale. A special bus tour to visit the ruins and remains of this long-forgotten railway around Westchester County is also being offered. There is a fee for the tour, to cover costs of the bus, and those interested in participating in the bus tour should contact Otto Vondrak at info@nywbry.com. The program requires no registration and is free and open to the public.
About the New York, Westchester & Boston Railway
The New York, Westchester & Boston Railway (NYW&B) opened to the public on May 29, 1912, stretching more than 21 miles from White Plains to Harlem River Terminal in the Bronx. It was a modern, high-speed electric railway built to fulfill the orders of powerful financier J.P. Morgan, yet failed to live up to its full potential. For twenty-five years, “The Westchester” carried faithful commuters from suburban Westchester County in growing numbers until the economic realities of the 1930s caught up with the railroad that was built ahead of its time. The NYW&B passed into the history books on the last day of 1937, but the last chapter of this storied line has yet to be told.
About the Event Organizer
Harrison resident Otto M. Vondrak is a life-long railroad enthusiast and historian, having co-authored and produced a number of publications regarding local railroad history. Inspired by his father’s tales of growing up in The Bronx, His web site www.nywbry.com is a virtual archive of information regarding the old New York, Westchester & Boston Railway. Through sharing rare photos and other ephemera, the web site helps shed light on the local legends popular with residents of lower Westchester County. An avid photographer and writer, Vondrak is also Associate Editor of Railfan & Railroad, a popular magazine for active railroad enthusiasts.
