Appalachian Trail Railroad Station

[WIAPilot]

Has anyone ever taken the Appalachian Trail Train Station into NYC? The A.T. Guide states that it only departs on the weekend. How was the trip? Anything beneficial I should know? Does it go directly into Grand Central Terminal?

[Monkeywrench]

The AT Station is on the Metro-North Harlem Line, which does go to Grand Central Terminal. Pay attention to the schedule though, as I think you may have to change trains along the way.

[Alligator]

I've taken that line from Ten Mile and Wingdale stations which are just a little further north. Train goes to Grand Central. It's inexpensive and reasonably frequent for the stops I used, but I suggest double checking the schedule for the AT stop. Check a guidebook but I don't know that there are any local services near the AT stop.

[nehiker]

The Metro North train stops at the AT station only on weekends and holidays, twice in the morning on the way from NYC and 3 times in the evening on the way to NYC. You have to change from a 3-car diesel train to a 10-12 car EMU at Southeast. You won't miss the stop because it is the end stop for both trains (the third rail simply ends at Southeast). The connection at Southeast is a timed one. On the way from NYC, the diesel train picks up at the front of the platform at Southeast, but only the very back door opens at the AT station.

There are a lot more trains, especially on weekdays, from Pawling, a couple of miles south of the AT station, and Wingdale, north of the AT station; they just do not stop at the AT station. See the Harlem Line timetables.

There is no ticket machine (or anything else, except for a few wooden planks) at the AT station. When you buy your ticket from the conductor on board, remind him of this so that you do not get charged the onboard ticket fee ($5-6). They now have those fancy handheld charge machines that the airlines have used for ages to charge for on-board meals, so you can use your credit card.

The two times I took this train, it was packed, very packed.

[WIAPilot]

Thanks NEHIKER for this info!

[Ender]

I've taken this train dozens of times. It's very easy (everyone's advice above is good... no need for me to repeat it here).

If you arrive on a weekday instead of a weekend, just walk south to Pawling and catch the train from there, as it does run on weekdays from there, and is an easy road walk along either West Dover Road, or NY22. One thing to mention, it's illegal to hitch hike in NY state, though I have seen people do it successfully, and have done it successfully myself. Breakin' the law.

[oldbear]

WiAPilot
Grand Central is not your only station option in Manhattan
Depending upon where you're arriving in NYC the Harlem 125st stop may be a much choice i.e if you're fly into LGA then the M-60 bus to Harlem 125st is much much faster then the M-60 N/R train change at Queensboro Plaza for the # 7 train to GCS or even worse LGA to the Q-43 bus to Jackson Heights to # 7 train

[WIAPilot]

I've taken this train dozens of times. It's very easy (everyone's advice above is good... no need for me to repeat it here).

If you arrive on a weekday instead of a weekend, just walk south to Pawling and catch the train from there, as it does run on weekdays from there, and is an easy road walk along either West Dover Road, or NY22. One thing to mention, it's illegal to hitch hike in NY state, though I have seen people do it successfully, and have done it successfully myself. Breakin' the law.

Good to know about Pawling! Thanks!

[oldbear]

Oops typo N/R train
That should have read N/Q

[Feral Bill]

One thing to mention, it's illegal to hitch hike in NY state, though I have seen people do it successfully, and have done it successfully myself. Breakin' the law.

Not so! Hitchhiking is perfectly legal in New York. Just stand on the shoulder of the road, not the roadway (which would be dangerous anyway). Police do not have the power to make up their own laws, and are responsible to know the laws they enforce.

[WIAPilot]

Not so! Hitchhiking is perfectly legal in New York. Just stand on the shoulder of the road, not the roadway (which would be dangerous anyway). Police do not have the power to make up their own laws, and are responsible to know the laws they enforce.

Here is a good link that echoes what you are saying. http://hitchwiki.org/en/New_York_State

I won't be hitchhiking by myself, though. With my luck, Bubba Bill and his brother, Bob, would stop for me...

[Ender]

Not so! Hitchhiking is perfectly legal in New York. Just stand on the shoulder of the road, not the roadway (which would be dangerous anyway). Police do not have the power to make up their own laws, and are responsible to know the laws they enforce.

I don't believe you're correct (though I do admit to the possibility that you are). Here's the sources for my believing it to be illegal:
http://ypdcrime.com/vt/article27.htm
"S 1157. Pedestrians soliciting rides, or business. (a) No person
shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride, or to
solicit from or sell to an occupant of any vehicle.
(b) No person shall stand on or in proximity to a street or highway
for the purpose of soliciting the watching or guarding of any vehicle
while parked or about to be parked on a street or highway.
(c) No person shall occupy any part of a state highway, except in a
city or village, in any manner for the purpose of selling or soliciting."

[Moose2001]

Good to know about Pawling! Thanks!

Pawling, I belive, also allows camping at the city park. Nice spot with covered pavillions.

[oldbear]

"I won't be hitchhiking by myself, though. With my luck, Bubba Bill and his brother, Bob, would stop for me.."
With a median household income of $77,544 and an average household income of $ 108,737 Pawling NY is definetly not Bubba Bill and his brother Bob country

[Cookerhiker]

I had no problems hitching to Pawling when I ended a section hike at Rt. 22. Got the train back to NYC and eventually home.

[Odd Man Out]

I don't believe you're correct (though I do admit to the possibility that you are). Here's the sources for my believing it to be illegal:
http://ypdcrime.com/vt/article27.htm
"S 1157. Pedestrians soliciting rides, or business. (a) No person
shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride, or to
solicit from or sell to an occupant of any vehicle.
..."

There is an article on the law and hiking.

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/content.php?185

I believe this is covered in the attachment, although I can't seem to open it right now. As I recall, the distinction is that the law says you can't stand in the roadway, but you are allowed to stand just off the edge of the road.

[Feral Bill]

I don't believe you're correct (though I do admit to the possibility that you are). Here's the sources for my believing it to be illegal:
http://ypdcrime.com/vt/article27.htm
"S 1157. Pedestrians soliciting rides, or business. (a) No person
shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride, or to
solicit from or sell to an occupant of any vehicle.
(b) No person shall stand on or in proximity to a street or highway
for the purpose of soliciting the watching or guarding of any vehicle
while parked or about to be parked on a street or highway.
(c) No person shall occupy any part of a state highway, except in a
city or village, in any manner for the purpose of selling or soliciting."

See the definition of "roadway" in NY law. It excludes the shoulder and berm, includes only the poriton normally used for traffic.

[GoldenBear]

Murrow Park is just outside of town on Old Route 55.

Here's a map:
http://tinyurl.com/d32gd7w

Here's a photo I took last year of the signs at the park:
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/show...mageuser=13863

[Ender]

There is an article on the law and hiking.

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/content.php?185

I believe this is covered in the attachment, although I can't seem to open it right now. As I recall, the distinction is that the law says you can't stand in the roadway, but you are allowed to stand just off the edge of the road.

See the definition of "roadway" in NY law. It excludes the shoulder and berm, includes only the poriton normally used for traffic.

That is very good information to know. Thanks! I will adjust my info banks accordingly. I do enjoy it when I learn something new.

[About_Time]

http://hitchwiki.org/en/New_York_State

The above link is on a website dedicated to hitchhiking and seems to indicate it's legal except on the Thruways.