Vanderbilt Cup Races

This is the area I covered by helicopter in 1959 on my LIMP Central Nassau page, http://sbiii.com/limpcnas.html#roosvfld .  Immediately following that is an aerial analysis of the area in 1938 using an earlier one of your pix, http://sbiii.com/limpcnas.html#rfld1938 .  As to the warplanes on the tarmac, it’s hard to distinguish the smaller ones (possibly North American T-6 Texans) but there are a bunch of unmistakable twin-engined Curtiss C-47/53s (DC-3s) at the far left, with a few at right, a slew of twin-boom Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars at far right, and seven twin-engined North American B-25 Mitchell medium bombers at right center.  What I’d hoped to see were the twin-fuselage P-82/F-82 Twin Mustangs.  Mitchells (two “L"s) and Twin Mustangs (no “L”) were a feature of Mitchel (one “L”) for me.  What the “L”!  Sam, III

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Amazing Aerials from the Cradle of Aviation: #1 1956 Mitchel Field

Looking east from the LIMP overpass over Central Avenue, Bethpage in June of 1949.
Locomotive 25 is pulling train 4227.  The gatekeepers’ outhouse is at the lower right near the crossing sign.

From Mystery Foto #6 Solved:A View From the Central Avenue/LIRR Railroad Bridge in Bethpage Updated: 2/13

My guess is that it’s looking east off the top of the LIMP Central Ave. bridge in Central Park/Bethpage.  In the distance on the right is the LIRR Tower at Bethpage Junction.  The LIRR train is probably a G5S Steam Locomotive pulling P54 “Ping Pong” Coaches, all built in the 1920’s.  Time period: late 1920’s -40’s

From Mystery Foto #6 Solved:A View From the Central Avenue/LIRR Railroad Bridge in Bethpage Updated: 2/13

Photo of the original Central Avenue grade crossing in Bethpage over the mainline. This crossing has now been eliminated and the road passes under the tracks immediately next to the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway bridge. Photo is taken from the Vanderbilt Parkway bridge, facing southeast towards Bethpage interlocking.

Train appears to be a class G5s pulling a string of Ping Pong coaches.

Unsure of exact year, but the G5s was introduced in the mid 20’s, and the bridge was gone by 1953 according to aerial photos, so sometime in-between.

From Mystery Foto #6 Solved:A View From the Central Avenue/LIRR Railroad Bridge in Bethpage Updated: 2/13

I believe this photo was taken from the LIMP bridge that went over Central Avenue and the LIRR main line tracks in Bethpage. I think we are looking east due to some shadows that are on the north side of a few of the visable structures. I also think that might be the LIRR “B” tower off in the distance. The photo was taken in June of 1949 and shows LIRR train number 4227 heading westbound having recently departed from Central Islip State Hospital.

From Mystery Foto #6 Solved:A View From the Central Avenue/LIRR Railroad Bridge in Bethpage Updated: 2/13

Great photo Frank!

Identify this bridge and the orientation of the photo. Provide a rationale.

On top of the Central Avenue/LIRR Railroad Bridge in Bethpage looking EAST. Easily identifiable, it’s the only bridge going over both a RR and a roadway. Confirmation can be found here;
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/long_island_motor_parkway_bridge_series_45_central_avenue_lirr_railroad_bri

Estimate the date of the photo.

June 5, 1949

Bonus for train lovers: Identify the train

LIRR G-5 class ( 4-6-0 ) steam engine #25 (built 1928) pulling a 70P82A tender and MP54C passenger cars.

From Mystery Foto #6 Solved:A View From the Central Avenue/LIRR Railroad Bridge in Bethpage Updated: 2/13

Sorry LIRR train .  Estimated date late 1930s to early 1940s PRR built class G5s Steam Locomotive built in early to mid 1920s.  Thanks

From Mystery Foto #6 Solved:A View From the Central Avenue/LIRR Railroad Bridge in Bethpage Updated: 2/13

PS’  “B” Tower and Bethpage State Parkway in the background.  JT

From Mystery Foto #6 Solved:A View From the Central Avenue/LIRR Railroad Bridge in Bethpage Updated: 2/13

I will guess at this one….Looking east in Bethpage near where the 135 currently exists. Westbound local to Jamaica from Ronkonkoma with a first order (early) G5s, original hand fired low tender (dont know the class and dont care LOL!). Picture taken from the original Motor Parkway bridge . THere is a plaque that exists with a laser etched photo (by Mr. Mulqueen) at the original bridge abutment which is still partially extant. Anyone care to confirm???

From Mystery Foto #6 Solved:A View From the Central Avenue/LIRR Railroad Bridge in Bethpage Updated: 2/13

Hi Brian, If visiting, it would be great to take some snapshots of the booth on the high school grounds for comparison, or perhaps for positive identification of a long lost relic of the Motor Parkway! I will be attempting to call ahead before heading down (I’m in Valley Stream) to see if access is permissible, probably visiting during non-school hours may be better. This could prove difficult though, as entry to one of the buildings is necessary to reach the booth.

From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures: #15 & #16 The Brentwood Lodges at Commack Road

Bill Snyder is a great guy as is his wife Christine. They both have devoted many years to the Classic Car Club of America. I saw them both about 3 weeks ago at the CCCA annual meeting in Novi ,Michigan. Bill is also a great enthusiast of Stutz cars as well as Marmon V16 cars and had his two Marmon V16 sedans at that annual meeting.

From InMyGarage.com 2013 Article: Vince Gardner and the Two-Seater Mustang

Central Ave, Bethpage looking east.  Picture is before 1950, as that is the year the bridge was removed.

From Mystery Foto #6 Solved:A View From the Central Avenue/LIRR Railroad Bridge in Bethpage Updated: 2/13

At Central Ave in Bethpage
1949
Train heading west
Camera facing east
G-5s carrying a train from CI Hospital

From Mystery Foto #6 Solved:A View From the Central Avenue/LIRR Railroad Bridge in Bethpage Updated: 2/13

Great blog! I am into this right now, and would like to see an historic marker placed as near as possible to the site of the clubhouse and hangars of the L.I. COuntry Club Airport.  I have written to someone about this and await a response.  Not sure it’s the right party. Any idea who I should write to?  I’d really like to see a blue and yellow marker that can easiy be read from a car. (Like the one Massapequa erected on the site of FItzmaurice Field).  The two markers for the Vanderbilt Motor Pkwy location (which I understand is not quite in the right spot) have no contrast; the lettering is too small; and it can’t be read by passing motorists.  I guess money is always behind these things.  (And see what happened to the good sign those Boy Scouts helped erect on Old Country Road!!)
_________________________________________________________
From Howard Kroplick

Richard,I suggest contacting the Town of Hempstead historian.

From Mystery Foto #45 Solved:The Missing Long Island Motor Parkway Historical Marker on Old Country Road

Great info Howard,  the most interesting part of these photos is the fact that all the homes, streets are so similar to today , 60 years later.  oF course there has been infill in the two airports but your highways, recreation areas, the LIRR and the street grid is exactly the same as it was on the day of the photo.

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Amazing Aerials from the Cradle of Aviation: #1 1956 Mitchel Field

Whoa! This aerial is so crisp it’s like reading a map, only much more informative. I was thinking Mitchel’s runway branches could’ve also served as emergency deployment ramps during the war conflicts. I’ve been to the museum a few times while supervising class trips but gotta go back at my own pace.

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Amazing Aerials from the Cradle of Aviation: #1 1956 Mitchel Field

I grew up in Brentwood. The building located near what was my elementary school ( Village Elementary ) is the original Brentwood Schoolhouse. The high schools are on the same property S/O this location. I haven’t been in this area in a long time, wonder what kind of shape it’s in.

From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures: #15 & #16 The Brentwood Lodges at Commack Road

Both booths appear octangular with odd angles and share some similarities. The honey booth may have been modified over time for required reasons. The nearby location is interesting!

John Wevers’ booth sighting at Brentwood High School (also octangular with odd angles), located ~2 ½ mi. south from the LIMP via Washington Ave (the booth’s original location), shows much resemblance to the Brentwood Lodge even from a poor overhead view. As John said, it is located on school grounds, but out of view and in a courtyard surrounded by buildings. Location: N40 46 25.11, W73 15 15.57. Rough measurements of the sides ranged from 3 ½ ft. – 7 ½ ft. This one too may be worth a visit if access is granted

From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures: #15 & #16 The Brentwood Lodges at Commack Road

WHEN I WAS GOING TO HIGH SCHOOL GRAD IN 1950.  WE LIVED ON PUMPKIN RIDGE ROAD,  I I DID FARM WORK UP THE ROAD,  DRIVING A TRACTOR FOR HIS BOSENBERRIES,  IN HIS BARN WAS A 1928 CADILLAc V 16. A BIG OLD SEDAN
  I TRIED TO CON HIM OUT OF IT HAD   BEN SITTING FOR 10 YEARS,  I TOLD I WOULD WORK FOR NOTHIN.  HE SAID IF I COULD GET IT HOME IT WAS MINE.  COURSE MY DAD OUTLAWED I TO THAT   ABOUT 10 YEARS LATER I TOLD A COLLECTOR CAR GUY IN IN PORTLAND A HE WENT OUT AND BROUGHT IT HOME   ME AND MY BIG MOUTH.  LOL

From Willie K’s Cars #7: 1928 Lincoln Model L Town Car Built for his Wife Rosamund & A Music Video

It sure is an explorer’s delight, but always go with a friend (or two).

From Inside the Wheeler Farmway Bridge #1: 1990s, 2008 and 2016