Then and Now - North Albany CP train

Here is a shot of a northbound train passing through North Albany on August 10, 1991. The large gray building in the background is the Central Warehouse (served by the NYC). The shorter light gray building directly above and behind the second and third engines is the former Albany Tomato Company. I don't know what it was being used for in 1991, but it certainly wasn't tomato red anymore! The brick building behind the lead engine is more puzzling. Ten years ago when I was researching the area it was a tire dealer and a warehouse for party and event supplies. But what was it in 1984? That is a puzzle. In his excellent book Bridge Line Freight 1960-1983, author Dominic Bourgeois opined that it might have been once part of the F. & M. Schaefer Brewing Company. 

Not much has changed with the exterior of the building. Here is a shot I took on April 20, 2005. This Norfolk Southern locomotive was actually pulling a contain train. Can you imagine seeing containers snaking through the buildings? I believe that the containers were all single-stacked, but it still made for an unusual sight. And one that hasn't occurred in nearly a decade now that the container cranes were replaced with the oil terminal.

And if you are wondering what those windows are that are facing the tracks, here is a better shot of the building from July 05, 2010.