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INDUSTRIAL & OFFLINE TERMINAL RAILROADS
OF BROOKLYN, QUEENS, STATEN ISLAND, BRONX & MANHATTAN:

RAILROAD OPERATED
PIER STATIONS & INLAND FREIGHT STATIONS
OF MANHATTAN

Less Than Carload Car Load LCL

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Visitors please take note ! The collection of images on this website, which continues to grow; is due to the unprecedented and selfless contributions of the current owners of photo archives. These people made their generous contributions to this website in good will, and allowed me to post their images online for the entire railroading community to view and appreciate, in admiration of these Fallen Flag Railroads. In return, I strongly request that you please respect the ownership copyrights of those said images. Other than that, please enjoy the history, thanks for taking the time to visit, and don't forget to sign the guestbook on the main page!  ~ Phil

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Please Note:

 This page consists solely of pier stations that were simply that: a pier station or inland freight stations
with no other railroad facility, float bridge, trackage or other operation.

Pier Stations with adjoining railroad operations are shown on their respective offline freight terminal pages..

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Pier Stations

   Freight handling via pier stations was a very simple but laborsome affair. Use of pier stations were expeditious and very direct. There were two methods used for the transfer of freight to and from pier stations, and both utilized station / platform carfloats brought to the pier via the railroad's tugboat.

   In diagram 1, the carfloats are first accessed by doors on the sides of the pier shed. The pier sheds had doors placed at intervals for this purpose. Bridge plates (in yellow) usually made of steel plate or wood planks, are used to "bridge the gap" between the pier shed and the doorway of a boxcar.

   Note in the photo below how several bridge plates are used in succession to access the boxcars behind the worker.

   Referencing the diagram below, once the bridge plate was placed in position, the boxcar in red would be unloaded first. Once that was accomplished, the door on the other side of that boxcar would be opened and another bridge plate would be used to bridge the gap between the boxcar and the steel platform of the carfloat.

   Diagram 2 shows a combination piershed and bulkhead shed. In some cases, there would be no piershed and only a bulkhead shed. The inner carfloat (or the right carfloat) would be unloaded in the same manner as in diagram 1. However, the left or outer carfloat was accessed with a small wood bridge from the bulkhead shed door to the front ramp of the carfloat. Then the freight car that needed to be unloaded first (green in this case) was unloaded. This front bridging method could also be used in cases where there was no bulkhead shed, and where freight could be unloaded directly onto the bulkhead.

    According to the Joint Plan with Comprehensive Report, in most cases, the bulkhead shed was used for the loading of outbound freight, while the piershed, (being larger) was used for inbound freight that was unloaded. Consignors were usually given 48 hours "free time" (starting at 7 am the day following the freight's arrival), to come and get their freight. This 48 hour hold time requires a great deal of space, while consignors freight awaits pick up. Therefore the larger piershed was in most cases used for inbound freight. 

   In either diagram; once these bridge plates (in yellow) were in place, and the center platform of the carfloat is accessed, men with hand trucks, dollies or even forklifts could be used to unload / load freight from any of the boxcars on that given carfloat via that center platform (dotted yellow lines) . Unloading priority was given to perishables or expedited freight.

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   In some cases, a piershed would be shared between a railroad and steamship line.    

   To make those interested readers lives a tad easier, I have taken the time to create a comprehensive list of Pier Stations, Freight Houses and Freight Stations on both the Hudson and East Rivers, as shown on the 1943 Map of Railroad & Terminal Facilities of the Port of New York, as issued by the New York Central Railroad. It is by no means complete, as railroads would give up obsolete properties and acquire others in a different location, when needed.

   Dimensions given are taken from  the 1920 Joint Report with Comprehensive Plan & Recommendations issued by the New York Port & Harbor Development Commission..

Inland Freight Stations

   An inland freight station is nothing more than a railroad owned warehouse type structure set away from the piers or offline terminals for storage of freight.  

   They were used by the railroads to relieve congestion at the waterfront piers and offline terminals. Therefore, a customer could pick up or drop off their shipment at the inland freight station and avoid the hustle and bustle of the pierside location, and the railroad would take care of the transportation to and from the pier and inland freight station.

   The inland freight stationss were also used for the long term storage of freight before a consignee could come an pick up his items. Also, inland freight stations could have served to store "overflow" from pier stations when freight traffic was at it's peak.

Map

   The map below will provide you with a guide as to the locations of the pier stations and freight stations mentioned on this page.

   Please keep in mind that this map is from 1943, and some pier stations may have been relinquished or may not have opened yet. Only the piers marked in red were railroad operated, but remember: carfloats and lighters could be spotted at any pier for a customer.

Index of Pier Stations

Legend

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HUDSON   RIVER      A/K/A     NORTH   RIVER

PIER 8 - RECTOR STREET PIER STATION
Hudson River, Manhattan

(LEHIGH VALLEY RAILROAD)

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Lehigh Valley Railroad - Rector Street Freight Station / Pier 8 - September 20, 1929
P. L. Sperr photo
NYPL Digital Archives
added 02 July 2009

RETURN TO INDEX

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PIER 11 - CEDAR STREET PIER STATION
Hudson River, Manhattan

(CENTRAL RAILROAD OF NEW JERSEY)

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Central Railroad of New Jersey - Cedar Street Freight Station / Pier 11 - ca. 1932
E. Galloway photo
NYPL Digital Archives
added 02 July 2009

RETURN TO INDEX

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PIER 13 - CORTLANDT STREET PIER STATION
Hudson River, Manhattan

(DELAWARE, LACKAWANNA & WESTERN RAILROAD)

DL & W Pier Station S

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   The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Freight Station located on Pier 13 (Hudson River) was located at the foot of Cortlandt Street.

   According to Joint Report with Comprehensive Plan & Recommendations, 1920, published by the New York New Jersey Port & Harbor Development Commission; Pier 13 dimensions were 882' x 100'.

   The following is an excerpt from the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western RR 1952 Directory of Industries & Facilities:

   This Freight Station would share space with the Starin Transportation, Ben Franklin and New Haven shipping lines.

RETURN TO INDEX

PIER 16 - BARCLAY STREET PIER STATION
Hudson River, Manhattan

(NEW YORK CENTRAL RAILROAD)

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New York Central Railroad - Barclay Street Freight Station / Pier 16 - ca. 1915
Joint Report with Recommendations of the New York & New Jersey Port & Harbor Development Commission

RETURN TO INDEX

PIER 20 - CHAMBERS STREET PIER STATION
Hudson River, Manhattan

(ERIE RAILROAD)

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Erie Railroad - Chambers Street Freight Station / Pier 20 - 1942
Homer H. Poss, Jr. photo
(Mr. Poss was sightseeing in New York City prior to disembarkation for overseas duty during when he took this image.
His daughter, Sherry Fletcher; contacted me and presented this image (along with a photo of the DL&W Ferry "Ithaca") as gifts.
authors collection
added 23 November 2009

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RETURN TO INDEX

PIER 21 - DUANE STREET PIER STATION
Hudson River, Manhattan

(ERIE RAILROAD)

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Erie Railroad - Duane Street Freight Station / Pier 21 - July 8, 1937
(with Baltimore & Ohio Jay Street / Pier 22 in background)
P. L. Sperr photo
NYPL Digital Archives
added 02 July 2009
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Erie Railroad - Duane Street Freight Station / Pier 21 - August 31, 1926
P. L. Sperr photo
NYPL Digital Archives
added 03 July 2009

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Erie Railroad - Duane Street Freight Station / Pier 21 - July 12, 1931
P. L. Sperr photo
NYPL Digital Archives
added 03 July 2009
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RETURN TO INDEX

PIER 22 - JAY STREET PIER STATION
Hudson River, Manhattan

(BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD)

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Baltimore & Ohio Railroad - Jay Street Freight Station / Pier 22 - July 8, 1937
P. L. Sperr photo
NYPL Digital Archives
added 02 July 2009

RETURN TO INDEX

PIER 23 - HARRISON STREET PIER STATION
Hudson River, Manhattan

(BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD)
(Pier 23 was formerly New York Central)

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Baltimore & Ohio Railroad - Harrison Street Freight Station / Pier 23 & Jay Street Freight Station / Pier 22- unknown date
Erie RR Pier 21 / Duane Street facade showing in background above Pier 22 roof.
G. Hockaday photographer
L. Kilian collection
authors collection
added 26 Sept 2009

RETURN TO INDEX

PIER 29 - VESTRY STREET PIER STATION (PRODUCE MARKET)
Hudson River, Manhattan

(PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD)

E RR / EL / Bronx Terminal / Harlem River / East 149th Street Terminal

Pennsylvania Railroad Vestry Street Produce Market / Pier 29 - October 24, 1934
(Canal Street left, Pier 29 right)
P. L. Sperr photo
NYPL Digital Archives
added 02 July 2009

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Pennsylvania Railroad Vestry Street Produce Market / Pier 30 (left) Pier 29 (right) - June 30, 1932
Aerial Explorations, Inc.
NYPL Digital Archives
added 03 July 2009

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PIER 30 - DEBROSSES STREET PIER STATION
Hudson River, Manhattan

(PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD & LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD)

E RR / EL / Bronx Terminal / Harlem River / East 149th Street Terminal

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RETURN TO INDEX

PIER 34 - CANAL STREET PIER STATION
Hudson River, Manhattan

(LEHIGH VALLEY RAILROAD)

E RR / EL / Bronx Terminal / Harlem River / East 149th Street Terminal

RETURN TO INDEX

PIER 41 - LEROY STREET PIER STATION
Hudson River, Manhattan

(DELAWARE, LACKAWANNA & WESTERN RAILROAD)

E RR / EL / Bronx Terminal / Harlem River / East 149th Street Terminal

   The following is an excerpt from the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western RR 1952 Directory of Industries & Facilities:

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RETURN TO INDEX

PIER 68 - WEST 28TH STREET PIER STATION
Hudson River, Manhattan

(DELAWARE, LACKAWANNA & WESTERN RAILROAD)

DL & W Pier Station S

   The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Freight Station located on Pier 68 (Hudson River) was located at the foot of West 28th Street.

   According to Joint Report with Comprehensive Plan & Recommendations, 1920, published by the New York New Jersey Port & Harbor Development Commission; Pier 68 dimensions were 621' x 50', with a track down middle of pier.

   The following is an excerpt from the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western RR 1952 Directory of Industries & Facilities:

   Even though this pier station would be flanked by Lehigh Valley and Erie Railroads, it would not be associated with a rail yard until 1960, when the Erie and the Delaware Lackawanna & Western Railroads merged, forming the Erie - Lackawanna Railroad.

Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Freight Station / Pier 68 - May 29, 1931
P. L. Sperr photo
NYPL Digital Archives
added 02 July 2009
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RETURN TO INDEX

PIER 72 & 73 - WEST 32ND & WEST 33RD STREET PIER STATION
Hudson River, Manhattan

(NEW YORK CENTRAL RAILROAD)

DL & W Pier Station S

New York Central Freight Station Pier 73 (left), float bridges (center), Pier 72 (right) - ca. 1929
(looking east)
unknown photographer
NYPL Digital Archives
added 02 July 2009

RETURN TO INDEX

EAST    RIVER

PIER 21 - DOVER STREET PIER STATION
East River, Manhattan

(PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD & BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD)

E RR / EL / Bronx Terminal / Harlem River / East 149th Street Terminal

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RETURN TO INDEX

PIER 26 - CATHERINE STREET PIER STATION
East River, Manhattan

(DELAWARE, LACKAWANNA & WESTERN RAILROAD)

DL & W Pier Station S

...

   The following is an excerpt from the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western RR 1952 Directory of Industries & Facilities:

RETURN TO INDEX

PIER 57 - EAST 47TH STREET PIER STATION
East River, Manhattan

(LEHIGH VALLEY RAILROAD)

DL & W Pier Station S

   The Lehigh Valley Railroad maintained a Pier Station located on Pier 57 (East River). While the description accompanying this photo was marked "Pier 97", the location given is the "foot of East 47th Street", and the pier is clearly marked Pier 57:

   Unfortunately, this pier is not listed in the 1920 Joint Report with Comprehensive Plan & Recommendations, published by the New York New Jersey Port & Harbor Development Commission; and no pier in the vicinity of East 47th Street is shown to be occupied by any railroad in the 1943 New York Central Railroad and Terminal Facilities Map of the Port of New York. (Matter of fact no piers are shown in that area, period.)

   Therefore the service years of  Lehigh Valley Pier 57 is not clear at this time.

   If in fact this pier was located at the foot of East 47th Street on the East River, it was most likely obliterated in the construction of the United Nations.

Lehigh Valley Railroad - East 47th Street Freight Station / Pier 57 (East River) - July 10, 1937
P. L. Sperr photo
NYPL Digital Archives
added 01 July 2009

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INLAND    FREIGHT    STATIONS

LEROY STREET INLAND FREIGHT STATION
Leroy & West Streets, Manhattan

(ERIE RAILROAD)

E RR / EL / Bronx Terminal / Harlem River / East 149th Street Terminal

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Erie Railroad Leroy Street Inland Freight Station - ca. 1926
Two page centerfold advertisement of Erie Railroad Inland Freight Station Facilities in New York & Chicago from:
"The Traffic World"
Vol.. XXXVIII, No. 24 - December 11, 1926
authors collection
added 14 July 2009

RETURN TO INDEX

GREENWICH STREET INLAND FREIGHT STATION
Greenwich Street, Manhattan

(ERIE RAILROAD)

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Erie Railroad Greenwich Street Inland Freight Station - ca. 1926
Two page centerfold advertisement of Erie Railroad Inland Freight Station Facilities in New York & Chicago from:
"The Traffic World"
Vol.. XXXVIII, No. 24 - December 11, 1926
authors collection
added 14 July 2009

RETURN TO INDEX

UNION INLAND FREIGHT STATION
Ninth Avenue & West 16th Street, Manhattan, NY

(BALTIMORE & OHIO / CENTRAL RR OF NEW JERSEY,
DELAWARE, LACKAWANNA & WESTERN / ERIE,
LEHIGH VALLEY / NEW YORK CENTRAL,
NEW YORK NEW HAVEN & HARTFORD / PENNSYLVANIA)

DL & W Pier Station S

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 The following is an excerpt from the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western RR 1952 Directory of Industries & Facilities:

Railway Age - January 22, 1938
authors collection
added 20 Dec 2009

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Railway Age - January 22, 1938
authors collection
added 20 Dec 2009

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Railway Age - January 22, 1938
authors collection
added 20 Dec 2009

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