"One entered the city like a god; one scuttles in now like a rat." -- Penn Station, NYC, 1910 - 1963

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Last edited Thu Oct 26, 2017, 03:26 PM - Edit history (2)

“One entered the city like a god. One scuttles in now like a rat.”
by JOHN MASSENGALE posted on OCTOBER 29, 2014



That’s the famous quote by the immortal Vincent Scully about Penn Station, where demolition started fifty-one years ago today. But stay tuned—some interesting things are starting to happen, and they’re not the things you’ve been reading about.

More photos here and here.

Vincent Joseph Scully Jr. (born August 21, 1920) is Sterling Professor Emeritus of the History of Art in Architecture at Yale University, and the author of several books on the subject. Architect Philip Johnson once described Scully as "the most influential architectural teacher ever." His lectures at Yale were known to attract casual visitors and packed houses, and regularly received standing ovations.

Retweeted by Thomas Gryta: https://twitter.com/tgryta

Demolition of the old Penn Station, New York City, began this week 1963:

Link to tweet

“One entered the city like a god; one scuttles in now like a rat.”

Link to tweet

Pennsylvania Station (1910–1963)

AD Classics: Pennsylvania Station / McKim, Mead & White

09:00 - 11 February, 2014

[brush]

1. Grand Central is the closest thing left. Were they built around the same time?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. Yes.

Right around the time that NYC prohibited steam locomotives in lower Manhattan. The railroads had to electrify, and the stations were all part of the project. The New York Central electrified out to Harmon, NY, and the Pennsylvania Railroad electrified out to Tuxedo Junction, NJ. The New Haven ... hmmm, I'll have to look that up.

Pennsylvania Station (1910–1963)

Grand Central Terminal

....
Design competition

Across town, Pennsylvania Station was being built by the Pennsylvania Railroad, which had started building its station and the North River Tunnels in 1901. Wilgus wanted the new Grand Central Terminal's design to compete with Penn Station's similarly grand design, which was being built by McKim, Mead & White. Therefore, in 1903, New York Central set up a design competition to decide the firms who would design the new terminal. Wilgus already had abstract concepts for the new terminal and knew some design flaws in the old depot that he wanted to remove in the new terminal.

The authoritative book:

When the Steam Railroads Electrified, 2nd Revised Edition

I have a copy of the first edition, autographed by the author, who died a few years ago:

Steam Railroad Laws in New York City

Folklore among railfans and New York City buffs is that there is a law against operating steam engines in tunnels in Manhattan, or something similar. This has earned the status of a FAQ on railroad newsgroups.

Here are the facts.

The Grand Central Law

Chapter 425 of the Laws of 1903 is titled "An Act to provide for further regulation of the terminals and approaches thereto of the New York and Harlem railroad at and north of Forty-second street in the city of New York. . .". This law was passed and effective 7 May 1903.

[brush]

3. Must be a wonderful book. I used to live in Westchester and traveled thru Grand Central...

every day on my way to work in Manhattan and experienced the grandeur of the station.

Before that I lived on Long Island and came through the eye sore that is now Penn Station underneath Madison Square Garden so I never got to see the original. I wish I had.

I have the feeling that this current Madison Square Garden is not a match either to previous ones.

[BigmanPigman]

4. Magnificent design (thanks for the photos).