The short-lived but magnificent New York, Westchester & Boston has been described as a state of the art "Million-Dollar-A-Mile" Railroad. It was built serve the growing suburbs north of New York City, which at the time were in just the early stages of becoming "bedroom" communities. The NYW&B's fast electric trains zipped along a level right-of-way through deep rock cuts and across valleys on giant steel viaducts. There were no grade crossings whatsoever. Most NYW&B stations were elaborate, ornate structures which featured high-level platforms. The raised platforms were a real innovation at the time. The NYW&B closed in 1937, having been built too far ahead of its time, and also because it never had a station in the center of New York City like its rivals, the New Haven and the New York Central. Much of the NYW&B's steel infrastructure was salvaged by court order to pay creditors in the late 1930's, and what remains of its right-of-way has been been compromised through the years. However, some remains of the line can be still be seen, like the wall in this picture. It's located near the corner of Third Street and Seventh Avenue in Pelham, New York. This wall was the east anchor of the NYW&B's Hutchinson River viaduct. For a greater idea of the size and scope of the vanishing NYW&B, check out "Westchester's Forgotten Railroad" by Roger Arcara.

Photographed by David Sommer, June 26, 2004.
Added to the photo archive by David Sommer, June 27, 2004.

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