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The East River Tunnels are 4 single-track railroad tunnels that extend from the eastern ends of 32/33 Streets in Manhattan to Queens. The tracks carry Long Island Rail Road and Amtrak trains travelling to and from Pennsylvania Station (New York City) and points to the north and east. The tracks also carry New Jersey Transit trains deadheading to Sunnyside Yard. They are part of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor; trains travelling between New York City and Boston, among other destinations, use the tunnels.
The tunnels were built in the first decade of the 20th century as part of the Pennsylvania Tunnel and Terminal Railroad, providing a connection between the Pennsylvania Railroad's Manhattan train station, Pennsylvania Station (New York City), and the railroad's Sunnyside Yard. At the time of construction, the Long Island Rail Road was a subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and the tunnels allowed the Long Island Rail Road its first (and to date only) direct access to Manhattan. The tunnels opened, along with Pennsylvania Station, in 1910. They are currently owned by Amtrak. They are electrified by both third rail and overhead catenary. Diesel-powered locomotives are banned from the tunnels under normal operation because of ventilation concerns.
