That's Fresh Pond Junction. I lived VERY close to it, and actually commuted to Long Island City every workday for 2 years or so. Got a few cab rides, and met an older gent, who photographed the area in steam days. Frank Zahn was he. Many photos published in some books on LIRR. The old heads called the Lower Montauk "real railroading". The bridge over the tracks, partly depicted in photo Max swiped was actually New Haven property. The Bay Ridge Branch rode on it to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn car floats, and a passenger ship terminal way back in the day. When living nearby, there were days the yard would be empty, then some with the yard full, and even the interchange tracks with then Conrail, up on bridge level. Believe me, more freight needs to moved by rail onto Long Island, and the NYC area as a whole. Of course NIMBY's bitched about the smell of waste transfer cars at the FPJ.
I could go on, but not now. The place is rich with history. I'll say this, many manufacturing plants have left LI, and Brooklyn/Queens, due to economics and real estate prices. Many familiar brand names had LIRR freight service, as well as aircraft makers. So many tracks torn up, paved/built over, it would stymie you to study all that used to be.
Joe D
