@Number 90 posted:Would you suspect that the PRR and NYC drawbridge operators may have raced, too? Not as spectacular as the trains racing, but Home Road pride extends throughout the railroad.
I would assume the default position of the bridges when both were in use was down. The Pennsy bridge is still in use by Amtrak. As the NYC bridge no longer serves a purpose, no tracks lead to it anymore, it is always in the up position. Still makes a cool picture.