The Penn Stations in New York City, Newark, New Jersey, and Baltimore are remnants of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company's network, says Travis Harry, director of museum operations at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, a Smithsonian Affiliate.
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The Penn Station name extends from the fact that the old Pennsylvania Railroad built many of these stations back in the early 20th century. At that time, different railroad companies typically used different stations, especially in major cities or towns, so the station usually took the name of the company.
Demolition began in 1963, and was complete by 1966. Popular perceptions of the history of New York City attribute the birth of the preservation movement and the local landmarks law to the demolition of Pennsylvania Station.
By the time the structure was set to be demolished, it was dilapidated due to poor maintenance and alterations, and the architectural richness of the building likely went unnoticed by the vast number of commuters who walked through it daily.
The Penn Stations in New York City, Newark, New Jersey, and Baltimore are remnants of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company's network, says Travis Harry, director of museum operations at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, a Smithsonian Affiliate.
Pennsylvania Station (also known as New York Penn Station or simply Penn Station) is the main intercity railroad station in New York City and the busiest transportation facility in the Western Hemisphere, serving more than 600,000 passengers per weekday as of 2019.
Grand Central retains its early 1900s glory, while Penn Station was demolished in 1964 and now exists in the cramped maze-like basement of Madison Square Garden. Grand Central is like a cathedral of railroads and Penn is a third rate mall squeezed into the available space.
Completed in 1910, the original Penn Station was intended to symbolize not only its powerful corporate owner but also New York's status as the most vital city in a nation that was becoming a political and economic superpower.
The three-year demolition of Penn Station began on October 28, 1963. At the same time, Madison Square Garden, a high-rise office and sports complex that still stands today, was built in its place.
It's like 8-10 blocks depending where you exit Penn Station. Times Square is always busy. Avoid rush hour if you don't want to be in the way. If for some reason you can't walk 10 blocks or just really want to help fund the MTA, take the 1/2/3 subway, M20 bus on 8th Ave, or M7 bus on 6th Ave to 42nd St.
Grand Central Terminal is spread over 49 acres, has 44 platforms and 67 tracks on two levels. It is the world's largest train station by number of platforms and area occupied.
Penn Station was heralded as a celebration of transportation and a gift to New York City. Designing for the future needs of the train station, McKim and Cassatt built an enormous structure able to withstand 200,000 passengers per day for the next 100 years.