Taking A Ride On The North Shore Branch. Metropolitan Transportation Authority - MTA Staten Island Railway BMEX 776 (BL20G, Brookville) was selected as the power for the Electric Railroaders' Association fan trip that traveled the length of SIR on April 17, 2010. This engine was 1 of 4 for the SIR that was included with 12 for Metro-North and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (for a total of 16 BL20G/GHs) from Brookville. Unlike their GH counterparts, the BL20Gs do not have head end power as they are only used for work service. During this trip, the R-44S/ME-2s were using third rail power for lights and air, but the diesel pulled the train. The track at the Ballpark Station, like the rest of the SIR, was part of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad until 1971 when it was purchased by the City Of New York. Passenger service on the rest of the North Shore Branch ceased in 1953 and this end was out of service until the Ballpark Station opened in 2001. Although it had not been used since the end of the 2009 Minor League Baseball Season, this was then considered active passenger track as the actual closure of the Ballpark Station was announced on June 18, 2010.
