Snooping around NYP

[National Limited]

I'm going to have some time on my upcoming trip to NYC to check out NYP. I don't want to get arrested or cause a problem but just wanting to look around. Is it possible to go down to the platform level and walk from one end to the other? Are there areas where you can still see part of the structure of the old Penn Station?

 

[battalion51]

I had no trouble getting down to the platforms while I was there in August of 2002. I got a few pictures down there in the few minutes I was there. One of the boys from Mechanical was really nice to me, even offered a tour for me that Saturday, unfortunately I flew home on Saturday. But he did tell me one of the Turboliners was on 5 Rail, which allowed me to get some pics of it before it went in for overhaul.

 

[Chatter163]

In July of 2002 I made my way down to a platform where an Acela train was waiting. I had a camcorder and was asked to turn it off. There were signs that only ticketed passengers should be on the platform, so I complied, as that was not my train. An Amtrak Police officer did let me take a picture of his police dog.

 

[Viewliner]

I had no trouble in NYP in January 2003, I was able to take pictures of a bunch of trains, even had one engineer take me in an AEM-7-AC to show me the cab. What you could always do is email Amtrak ahead of time to see if you need permission or anything. IIRC, Alan has just talked with one of the Officers in NYP when he takes pictures, just to be safe.

With NJT, I sent an email, and am now in the process of getting a permit for when I'm taking pictures at Secaucus at the end of the month.

 

[AlanB]

But he did tell me one of the Turboliners was on 5 Rail, which allowed me to get some pics of it before it went in for overhaul.

Alas, that Turboliner set never went in for overhaul.

That overhaul program got stopped before all the sets were completed. I think that only 4 or 5 sets in total of the 7 original, will be completed. Even then at least one if not two or the refurbed sets will be canabalized for their cars.

The plan is to take those cars and use them to lengthen the other remaining sets by one car each.

 

[Amtrak OBS Employee]

Madison Square Garden sits where the old Penn Station used to be, and I haven't seen anything indicating a remanent of the old station. But I never have really paid attention to those details, though.

As far as your exploring around, you should have no trouble what so ever in the public areas of the station, however, if you should wander down to track level, you may be confronted by an employee or an Amtrak Police officer should you look suspicious or out of place. Try visiting the Amtrak Police office on the main level across from the Amtrak waiting area, and obtain permission or a possible escort/tour of certain areas. At least let your presence be known. If you strike out, there is plenty to do out on the streets of the city, including "entertainment," after all it is NEW YORK CITY! :lol: Good luck!!!

 

[battalion51]

Worse comes to worse, just to Grand Central and try your luck there.

On an unrelated note I have to say I love the Saturday Night Live set for the Musical Guest which is a mock up of Grand Central.

 

[National Limited]

I've been around Grand Central a lot more than Penn. Walked down all the platforms without any problem. Tried to find tracks 1-4(?) and apparently they are there but are for storage and not for revenue service. Found the loop tracks, etc. Have taken the Grand Central tour but didn't get to see much. Would love to walk through the coridoors between the two sets of glazing for the main windows, maybe see some of the service areas (old generators, etc).

As for Penn Station, the stairs that lead down to the tracks in the Amtrak area still have to original brass railings (but I believe they are painted now?). There are apparently some places in the passageways to the subway that have original elements and in some places can still see part of some of the old gate markers (but these are in inaccessable areas I believe).

 

[Amfleet]

Worse comes to worse, just to Grand Central and try your luck there.
On an unrelated note I have to say I love the Saturday Night Live set for the Musical Guest which is a mock up of Grand Central.

Grand Central has become a popular spot for TV broadcasts. MTV and either CBS or ABC often does TV programs out of Grand Central.

 

[AlanB]

Grand Central has become a popular spot for TV broadcasts. MTV and either CBS or ABC often does TV programs out of Grand Central.

And with good reason. It's a huge, beautiful old station and now that it's been renovated one can truely appreciate it.

Thank goodness this one got saved, unlike poor Penn.

 

[tp49]

Actually GCT almost met the same fate as the priginal Penn, however, because so many were outraged at Penn being torn down GCT was saved there was a reasonably famous court case about it which I had to read 1st year, I'll find the citation to it when I get home to look at my book tonight.