03-23-2013, 11:10 PM
These images were taken May, 2011. I cannot help y'all with the rooftop machinery. I do know there has been an elevator at that location seemingly forever. Also, there is another sizable brick structure across Merwin Street that, at one time at least, was associated with the main structure. Back in the early '70's this industry was extremely busy and tended to operate around the clock, but it may have been a different owner/industry then. The photographer's location in the Trackmobile video (south of the elevator) was a multi-track stub yard for the facility. Prior to Penn Central this was switched by NYC (Big Four). I recall being down there around 2AM one incredibly cold morning and the scene was amazing; there must have been a dozen guys working really hard to keep the ice out of the flangeways while the operation proceeded. Back then there were a couple really great rock n roll clubs within a couple blocks, and that was a happening part of the Flats.