Picture this a sprawling landscape of tracks stretching as far as the eye can see. This is Sunnyside Yard. A massive rail yard in Queens New York City. It’s more than just a place to store trains. Sunnyside Yard is a piece of history.
Sunnyside Yard is a significant landmark. The Pennsylvania Railroad built it in 1910. At the time it was the world’s largest coach yard. It covered 192 acres and had 25.7 miles of track. Can you imagine that scale? It served as the main storage and service point for PRR trains entering New York City. It connects to Pennsylvania Station via the East River Tunnels. The North Yard initially had 45 tracks holding 526 cars. The South Yard had 45 tracks with a capacity of 552 cars.
The yard wasn’t just about trains. Factories surrounded Sunnyside Yard. On the south side stood the Degnon Terminal. Businesses thrived here connected directly to the railroad. The American Chicle Company made chewing gum. Eveready Battery Company produced batteries. Loose-Wiles Sunshine Biscuits baked their famous snacks. Even the Swingline Stapler factory was nearby.
Today Sunnyside Yard is still busy. Amtrak and New Jersey Transit use it. Harold Interlocking a vital part of Sunnyside Yard is the busiest rail junction in the US. A significant federal grant improved this vital junction. This ensures smoother operations for Amtrak trains traveling to and from New England. Dedicated tracks avoid congestion with NJ Transit and LIRR traffic.
But Sunnyside Yard’s future is also being shaped. There’s a plan to build thousands of housing units above the yard. This would be similar to the Hudson Yards development in Manhattan. This ambitious project has sparked debate. Discussions focus on affordability pedestrian access open space and a nearby Superfund site. The latest master plan suggests building a deck over Sunnyside Yard. This would add 12000 affordable housing units and 60 acres of parks.
So as you stand here looking at Sunnyside Yard remember its past. It was a vital industrial hub. It’s a busy transportation center today. And it might soon become a major residential area. Sunnyside Yard is a place of constant change. A powerful testament to New York City’s ever-evolving landscape.