Railroadman

A friend sent a FB link on a railroad subject. While scrolling farther down, I came across this gem. Credit it to a Ken Bergmann, taken in 1969 at Bogata NJ

Greg

The good ol' days in America, when could actually transport new cars on an open carrier!

DKM-106

Super cool, thanks for sharing!

REDONBLACK69

So cool. I'll take the silver one on the lower rear.

69tuxedo

Love old pics like this!

augiedoggy

and the vettes were right side up unlike those Vegas!

KapsSA

Had those been the tracks beyond my back yard when I lived in Dolton, Illinois back in the 70s the brat across the street would likely be back there throwing rocks at them.
Caught him once and dragged him back to his house only to have his mother give me a hard time.

KS69Coupe

Hi Don,
It's been awhile, nice to hear from you. Thanks for posting the old photo and thank you Ken Bergmann for taking the photo.
I think that's my car on the top right? I wished

Railroadman

Kevin, the guy who took it said he was driving a '53 Chevy at the time and sure wished he could trade. Today I'd still take a Vette, but a '53 Chevy would be cool in its own right.

Railroadman

I've posted this on here before, but as long as we're on the subject here's some '75's, eastbound through Rochester NY:

KS69Coupe

Me too! '53 Chevy is a nice car...but it's not a Vette.
The "Corvette bug" is easy to catch and impossible to get rid of. The very first Corvette I remember seeing was love at first sight... a black and white 1958. I was just a kid with empty pockets and big dreams.

P.s. We still have the '66 that was delivered to Fred Spohr Chevrolet in Attica, NY, now operating as Upstate Chevrolet. You were kind enough to take pictures of the dealership for me. Guessing that '66 got to NY on an open railcar just like the one you posted.

Great to touch base with you again, friend.

Kevin

71 Green 454

'68's leaving St. Louis



'69 Production Line

Railroadman

Me too! Sometimes it seems not much has changed in 55+ years! My pockets are not quite as empty but my dreams are just as big and the Corvette infection cannot be cured.

I knew we had spoken before but could not remember details. Glad you still have the car and are enjoying it. My wife and i sometimes take the C-4 out in the country and just randomly turn down whatever roads look interesting. One of those trips eventually took us past that dealership and I did recall the photo mission. Some owners could not care less, but I am very curious about the previous lives of my Vettes, and the afterlife of those I have sold. It doesn't change anything, but for me it's fun to know.

Railroadman

Nice, just starting their journey. Thanks!

On Penn Central those Vettes for the northeast moved east on train NY-6. That did not stop at Rochester but I always tried to watch it as it passed (usually at night) looking for a car or two of Corvettes. One day I was off duty and happened to get stopped at a crossing. Looking "upstream" I saw Vettes coming and realized I had my camera. Jammed whatever DD I was into park, jumped out and managed to get that shot.

international blue

Neat to see that these are "late" 68's with aft mirror position and the several T-Top coupes in production. Also there are a few big block cars. What is crazy is it appears there is a black small block coupe and an International Blue car behind that one. Ahead a Corvette Bronze and Maroon as well. Some great colors for the time...

jersey68l36

With regard to the first pic, Bogata NJ is the next town from where I grew up. Remember that stretch of tracks and the road that followed the tracks into Ridgefield Park. There was Brahms Chevy in Palisades Park where I use to buy most of my parts, and in Hackensack, Shea Chevy, and of course, Malcolm Konner in Paramus. IDK what the process was or if there was a process for those Corvettes on the train car to wind up at any of those dealerships?

Railroadman

Most likely there was a regional terminal where they had the ramps to unload the cars, and space to store them. They would be trucked from there to the various dealerships.

Peterbuilt

Hi Railroadman. Those are some very interesting photos, thanks for taking the time to post them.
I drove a car carrier and got my cars at a prep center in Brooklyn and delivered them to the dealerships, I moved new cars as far south as Florida and north to Buffalo, NY. I'd bring up a bunch of stick shift cars to them and bring back a load of automatics.
Thanks again, Pete.

Railroadman

Nice looking rig, Pete. What is under that hood - does Peterbilt have their own line or use someone else's engine? I don't envy you battling the I-95 corridor for a living. Can't imagine the wide variety of vehicles you hauled over the years.

gnt

Very cool pics guys! Thank you