Forgive me if someone else has already posted this lovely story.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21353825
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21353825
Thanks. I missed that.Also be sure to listen to the programme using the i-player - it is a 10 minute talk about the two iconic New York terminals (Penn and Grand Central)
PHIL
Actually the Grand Central Station Post Office is right next door to Grand Central Station and immediately adjacent. There are even tracks, no longer in use, with platforms for mail delivery directly below the post office.That is a Post Office located nowhere near NYG! And it is a terminal, since there are no thru tracks.
Aren't there numerous true terminals that aren't called "xxxx Terminal"? BOS and BON off the top of my head. MIA also.And it is a terminal, since there are no thru tracks.
Before Grand Central Terminal (the current head house and track layout was built), there was Grand Central Station which had an arched roof car shed and no tracks going south of it. Before that there were a few tracks that went south. Basically when the current head house was built it was named Grand Central Terminal. There is not much more significance to the word "Terminal". Colloquially many people still call it Grand Central Station and haplessly get lectured by rail experts if they hear such usage.Aren't there numerous true terminals that aren't called "xxxx Terminal"? BOS and BON off the top of my head. MIA also.And it is a terminal, since there are no thru tracks.
Santa Fe #19 Cleared for Immediate Take Off!Los Angeles Union Station comes to mind here. All the tracks (currently) end in bumper posts, and going any further would mean you're going to need some wings!
That will likely change soon. Currently in preliminary engineering is a set of four run-through tracks. The next milestone is in April when the PE is supposed to be done.There is actually one thru track now at LAUS. But it is used by the Gold Line (I believe). But you are correct that all "regular" tracks end at the bumper posts.
Actually, it's not a spur track. It's an entire yard that extends just north of GCT towards the hotel. Two tracks, out of 15 in the yard, 61 & 63 serve the platform under the hotel with the elevator. Some of the other tracks used to serve Grand Central Station, the post office.One little known fact about Grand Central Terminal is the single spur track that runs from it, 12 blocks under Park Avenue to a secret station below the Hotel Waldorf Astoria. It was a secure stop for the Presidental train in the days before Air Force One. There are elevator facilities for unloading and bringing the presidential limousine from a boxcar on the train to the street level. There was also a passenger elevator that could bring the president and staff into their hotel suites without anyone ever noticing. I believe that I read that the presidential train was also armored and bulletproof.
Great photo! Now my new profile image...thanks!Los Angeles Union Station comes to mind here. All the tracks (currently) end in bumper posts, and going any further would mean you're going to need some wings!
The Oyster Bar is my must-go-to place whenever I'm in NYC. (Last time two years ago.) I fondly remember watching the old guys prepare my oyster pan fry (not fried at all) behind the marble counter while I sipped my Beck's in anticipation.A few years later took my 4 year old son to the "Oyster Bar" (mom was at some national meeting down at the hotel by the big towers way downtown - not there any more.
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