Presentation Grand Central-23Rk066

New York’s First Train, 1832 New York Transit Museum “The first train pulls into what is now Union Square in this illustration of the New York & Harlem Railroad’s maiden journey on November 26, 1832.” (MTA Transit Museum) GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL BLUE AGRAMONTE 27TH STREET DEPOT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 27TH STREET DEPOT EMBARKED THE JOURNEY FOR GRAND CENTRAL STATIONS PRESENT DAY CONSTRUCTION. IT WAS REVOLUTIONIZING THE DEVELOPMENT OF RAIL SERVICE IN NEW YORK. BUILT BY CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, THE DEPOT OPENED IN 1871 AND WAS THE FIRST REAL HUB FOR TRANSPORTATION . THE DEPOT WAS DEMOLISHED IN 1899 TO START THE NEW DESIGN FOR GRAND CENTRAL. THE BUILDING WAS DESIGNED BY ARCHITECT JOHN B SNOOK WITH THE FINANCIAL BACKING BY VANDERBILT. IT WAS A MULTISTORY STRUCTURE INSPIRED BY THE FRENCH SECOND EMPIRE STYLE. The 27th Street Depot, 1857 New York Transit Museum “The New York & Harlem Railroad acquired land on Fourth Avenue between 26th and 27th Street, and in 1842 opened a depot, offices…and horse stables. Fourteen years later, the New York & New Haven joined the Harlem line at the 27th Street facility, sharing the passenger Beam Tunnel North of Grand Central, 1909 New York Transit Museum “Four tracks handled all the trains chugging north and south each day between Harlem and Grand Central. Two of these tracks ran down the central portion of partially covered “beam tunnels,” with single tracks in additional tunnels on either side.” (MTA Transit Museum) “Grand Central Depot Under Construction, 1870 New York Transit Museum The new Depot on 42nd Street was strikingly similar to the recently opened St. Pancras Station in London, which claimed to be the world’s largest single-span train shed. Grand Central was nearly as big as St. Pancras—and bigger than any station in North America.” (MTA Transit Museum) “Grand Central Depot Under Construction, 1870 New York Transit Museum The new Depot on 42nd Street was strikingly similar to the recently opened St. Pancras Station in London, which claimed to be the world’s largest single-span train shed. Grand Central was nearly as big as St. Pancras—and bigger than any station in North America.” (MTA Transit Museum) GRAND CENTRAL BEFORE AND AFTER SURROUNDING CONSTRUCTION INCREASED Grand Central, 1871 & 1907 New York Transit Museum “When Grand Central opened in 1871 (left), it was far from the heart of New York City. But by the early 20th century, open fields had given way to shops, offices, hotels, and bustling streets. The railroad enlarged the station, adding more tracks, an annex, and four more stories (right).” (MTA Transit Museum) No Image information available CONSTELLATION CRITICISM • When the public first glimpsed Paul Helleu's masterpiece adorning GCT's ceiling it immediately drew awe and admiration. Unfortunately, it also caused controversy. The constellations are very real but aside from Orion the entire scene depicts those seen in the Mediterranean region. In addition, constellations Taurus and Gemini are both reversed in their relation to Orion in the night sky. No one has ever understood why the artist did this but the technical error has never been corrected over the years even during its major restoration of the 1990s. When in the terminal be sure and look for the mural's dark patch. TRACK LAYOUT DESIGN • The ingenious setup utilized loop tracks to largely eliminate the cumbersome issue of trains backing in and out of the terminal. In addition, there were two levels to separate commuters from long- distance travelers; the upper level housed 42 tracks overall with a balloon track wrapping around 40 of these. The lower level featured just 27 tracks but was circled by several balloon loops. In addition is the covert "Track 61." This platform was constructed for VIP use beneath the Waldorf Astoria hotel and allowed personnel to slip in and out of town without ever being noticed. It was first used by General John J. Pershing in 1938 and later used by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1944. It is reportedly still active today but much secrecy continues to surround Track 61. South of 96th Street, Grand Central's approach tracks are covered by Park Avenue. PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD DESTROY THE TERMINAL? AFTER POLITICAL CONTROVERSIES OVER WHETHER OR NOT THE STRUCTURE SHOULD REMAIN ALIVE, PROTESTS AND GROUPS WILLING TO HELP REHABILITATE THE STATION UNITED TOGETHER TO HELP THE STRUCTURAL NEGLECT GRAND CENTRAL RECEIVED OVER TIME FROM THE TAR AND NICOTINE WITHIN CIGARETTES CAUSING PORTIONS OF THE STONE WALL DETAILING TO CRUMBLE APART. NOW WITH THE ADDITION OF SHOPS AND INFAMOUS GALLERY SPACES SUCH AS THE WHISPERING ROOM . THE TERMINAL IS NOW RESTORED TO THE BEAUTIFUL MASTERPIECE IT ONCE WAS. .

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