by William J. Skeats/photos by the author
My favorite spot is Croton-Harmon, located on the east shore of the Hudson River in northern Westchester County, New York. Croton-Harmon, commonly known as just Croton-on Hudson, is located 33 miles due-north of Grand Central Terminal in New York City, and has long been the terminus of third-rail electric commuter operations. During New York Central and Penn Central days, a few diesel-powered commuter runs continued north to Poughkeepsie, with some of these runs covered by RDC shuttles north of Croton. Today, Metro-North has vastly expanded service north of Croton utilizing dual-mode locomotives, initially with FL9s and presently GE P32-ACDM units. New Siemens Chargers are currently being delivered to Metro-North to replace the colorful P32s (many now in heritage designs).
Croton-Harmon is the northern end of third-rail electrification, and it was a major engine-change point on the New York Central (lasting into the Penn Central era), where electric locomotives were changed to steam, and later diesels, for trains headed north and ultimately west. Diesels included a fleet of E7 and E8 cabs, with Alco RS-3s covering runs to Poughkeepsie. Croton-Harmon was (and remains) the site of major locomotive and EMU car shops and storage yards. Metro-North has diligently replaced and modernized the former New York Central shop complex and revised the track layout, including removal of an elevated loop track that once crossed above the main line north of the station and shops facility, since removed now that all Metro-North diesel trains operate in push-pull mode, with the diesels facing north.
ABOVE: Amtrak Empire Service Train 237 from Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station, en route to Albany-Rensselaer, is switching from Track 1 to Track 3 on May 19, 2025. P32AC-DM 711 leads five Amfleets, with P32AC-DM 704 on the rear, viewed from southern end of the 2/4 platform. This pull-pull motive power setup is necessary due to track work in the East River Tunnels at Penn Station, which restricts access to the turning loop in Sunnyside, Queens.
Croton Harmon Station
Croton-Harmon is the busiest station on Metro-North’s Hudson Line. Amtrak’s Empire Service, Ethan Allan, Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf, Adirondack, and Metro-North Railroad diesel and EMU trains can be safely viewed and photographed from the Croton-Harmon station platforms. There are three long platforms, with tracks numbered 3-1-2-4, with Track 3 being easternmost, adjacent to the parking lot, and Track 4 westernmost, adjacent to the shops complex.
The south end of the two westernmost platforms offer the best photo angles during the afternoon and evening hours, as Metro-North and Amtrak trains arriving from New York City are locomotive-leading. The north end of the platforms also offer good angles, but except for southbound Amtrak trains (and some pull-pull northbound Amtrak trains), diesel Metro-North trains from Poughkeepsie are led by cab cars You can drive to Croton-Harmon station where there daily parking is available for $12 for a full calendar day (until midnight) on weekdays, and $7 on weekends. There is also a $1 per hour rate, with a maximum of 11 hours on weekdays and 6 hours on weekends.
ABOVE: “Hudson River Rail Excursions” private cars Hickory Creek and NYC 43, owned by the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey, bring up the markers of Amtrak Train 244 returning to Penn Station, shown leaving Croton-Harmon on Track 2. Information on trips aboard these former 20th Century Limited private cars can be found on the Hudson River Rail Excursions website, but at present the trips are suspended indefinitely due to Amtrak’s East River Tunnel rehabilitation project restricting access to Sunnyside Yard, where the train could be turned.
Another idea is to ride an electric EMU train or diesel set from Grand Central Terminal, or from any other convenient Metro-North station, such as Poughkeepsie or Beacon, etc. You can enjoy the scenic views of the Hudson River on your way to Croton Harmon.
A short walk or drive from the Croton-Harmon Station parking lot north-eastward along Croton Point Avenue to South Riverside Avenue in the heart of the village of Croton-On-Hudson will lead to several restaurants. Cabs are also available right at the station to access these eateries and the downtown. A good time to reach Croton-Harmon Station is at 4:00 p.m., just before Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited arrives at 4:25 p.m. Most northbound trains to Croton-Harmon, and those going farther north to Poughkeepsie from Grand Central Terminal utilize easterly tracks 1 and 3.
ABOVE: Continuing the celebration of Metro-North’s 40th Anniversary, the second locomotive to be released was P32AC-DM 201 in a Conrail scheme, which was worn by Conrail FL9s from 1976 to 1982. Conrail gave permission to apply its name, logo and colors to P32AC-DM 201, which debuted August 11, 2023. Hudson Line Train 855 is diverging from Track 1 to Track 3 at CP- 33 with Conrail heritage unit 201 in the lead May 19, 2025.
Trains from Poughkeepsie and EMUs originating at Croton-Harmon southbound to Grand Central Terminal use westerly Tracks 2 and 4. Amtrak trains to Penn Station usually use Track 2. During peak periods, trains can be diverted to any track. This photographer’s favorite location for photos at Croton-Harmon Station is the south end of the platform serving Tracks 2 and 4, which provides a nice angle to photograph Metro-North and Amtrak P32AC-DMs as they exit the Croton River Bridge moving from Track 1 to Track 3. The Track 1 platform can also yield good photo angles. The advantage of the track 2/4 platform is that you can also view and photograph inbound Metro North diesel trains that are heading to Grand Central Terminal using Track 2.
There are two additional photo locations within the village of Croton-On-Hudson; Half Moon Bay Drive and Elliot Way, both of which offer overpasses. Elliot Way also offers some unobstructed ground-level afternoon and evening views…
