BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE EARLIER POST) Interesting also to recall that-way back when the UP's sleek "Flash Gordon-ish" speedster "the 10000" hit the rails in 1934 it was on public exhibit at GCT (it had operated under its own power along electrified NYCRR trackage); interestingly-a certain Joshua Lionel Cowen was on hand at GCT to tour the flashy and futuristic articulated train! Your's Truly has read that the articulation of these train was later adapted for use on the JNR's original Shinkansen "Bullets" of 1964-----the noses used on the "Bullet's" power cars were inspired (so this fellow had read) by the iconic DC-3---------"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

When the last handful of aging GG-1s were retired by NJT in 1983-it had already been awhile since the last operated on the NEC-hauling long-haul trains; true-they were showing their age (just shy of a half-century!) but the fact that they lasted as long as they did speaks quite eloquently indeed; recall also that the GG-1s were ENGINES and NOT earth-bound NASA craft; that these now-iconic engines were so "lo tech" ("back to basics" indeed!) and built like battleships-tells us one reason why these hulking locos lasted for nearly 50 years-unlike today's ultra-sophisticated (and QUITE hi-tech) NEC power-----------"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interesting page on the majestic and monolithic Kansas City Union Station (sadly, this historic station was recently in the news, the site of a deadly parade shooting)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City_Union_Station

The restored station complex is now indeed a "multi-functional" facility; AMTRAK has now restored service (four trains at day, a far cry from the many dozens of trains that once called here decades ago)

AMTRAK currently uses two tracks and a single platform, with a stairway/escalator which connects to the station building itself; ironically, the platform is totally exposed to the elements, with no canopies.

In its last years as a functioning rail facility (before closing for good in the early 1980s), a plastic "bubble" (what a tragic comedown!) was installed for AMTRAK passengers in the old waiting room area.

Sadly, the historic Bush sheds (identical to those at the CNJ's Jersey City terminal) have been destroyed.

The lofty interiors, on the other hand, are indeed majestic and breathtaking, a living memorial to not only the proud architects and builders who designed and built this stunning citadel of commerce, but also, to the granduer and glamour of the golden age of American train travel...............

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Thankfully, this lofty and stunning rail hub is still in use by trains today (only Meter-North/LIRR commuter trains serve GCT* today; the last through trains (AMTRAK) departed many years back.

Here is an excellent "in depth" page on GCT:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Central_Terminal

*Note that the old "balloon loop" that served the lower level (the old "Suburban Concourse") was disconnected and taken up years ago; some of the lower level tracks (and their respective platforms) have also been removed for the new LIRR facilty.............

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a detailed page on the new LIRR facility ("Grand Central Madison") at GCT:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Central_Madison

This new facility may be functional, to be sure, but its design and architecture is far too modern and "sterile" for my tastes; it would have made sense to at least TRY to emulate some of GCT's historical and elegant architecture.

I am more reminded of a modern shopping mall or an airport than a rail facility.........

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Current GCT track layout*:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:GCT_track_map

*(As noted previously, the lower level "balloon loop" is no longer in use)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Through the 1960's the sprawling Mott Haven yards in the Bronx was where hundreds of NYC and NH passenger cars were cleaned, serviced, and stored.

A busy Pullman commissary was also located here; also a laundry and shop areas.

Today, as can be seen in one of the photos, virtually nothing remains of this once huge and bustling yard, except what is seen in the photo.

Think of the hundreds that were once employed here!

This page has a number of very rare and historic photos.................

https://www.iridetheharlemline.com/2015/13/keeping-the-trains-clean-a-look-back-at-mott-haven-yard/

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In 1964, a train of the sleek and shiny new R-32 "Brightliners" made a special trip from the Mott Haven yards to GCT, where it was put on public exhibition (Mom and I took the #5 NHBL bus over to see these shiny new cars, when they were on public display!)

Interestingly, the cars had to be fitted with third rail shoes that were compatible to the NYC's under-running third rails; also, a NYC engineer was on duty alongside the NYCTA motorman.

In these old photos, note ancient NYC "S" motor, and the large number of passenger equipment (including head-end cars) on the adjacent yard tracks------hard to believe that this was 60 years ago!

"NYO"

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?114189

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75750

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["S SPECIAL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a rare photo showing the same "Brightliner" train on exhibit at GCT (Yep, Mom and I were there!)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75611

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BUDD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an excellent collection of rare historic photos of CGT (including early construction photos) from the earliest days through the 1960s.........enjoy!

"NYO"

https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/grand-central-terminal-pictures/

["5:20 BREWSTER LOCAL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

An interesting thought---------

For decades, GCT was indeed "The Gateway To The Nation".

Once AMTRAK pulled out years ago, the opulent station became nothing more than a glorified "commuter station", despite all of its grandeur and loftiness.

Recall, also, for many years, through D&H cars also could be seen at Grand Central's ozone-scented platforms.

By the later 1970's and early 1980's, GCT had indeed fallen upon hard times; the homeless situation was clearly getting out of hand, and I still clearly remember one Saturday in the early 1980's, where a QUITE noisy "revival meeting" was taking place in the old waiting room area!

Recall, also, that at least at first, the flamboyant NH remained independent, after the ill-fated Penn Central merger in 1968.

Sadly, once the NH was absorbed into the P-C, it was not all that long before almost all traces of its independent days had vanished (and recall also that the NH's unique pre-WW1 catenary lasted into the 2000's before being replaced!)

Talk about "longevity"!

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Detroit's monolithic, breath-taking Michigan Central Station, after many, many years of suffering wanton vandalism and gross neglect, is finally making a grand comeback (sadly, AMTRAK will not be serving the re-opened depot)

This station was indeed a true "Cathedral Of Commerce", back in the day...........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_Central_Station

["NYCRR"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is an outstanding collection of historic photos of the old Michigan Central Station; as can be seen in these photos, the once-mighty NYC indeed KNEW what grandeur and magnificence was!

A HUGE difference indeed between such magnificence and an "Amshack"............

https://historicdetroit.org/galleries/michigan-central-station-old-photos/

["THE WATER LEVEL ROUTE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Interestingly, passenger trains serving the former Michigan Central depot were hauled through the twin tubes underneath the Detrot River by electric locomotives operating off of third rail.

The bulky boxcabs that hauled these trains under the Detrot River were, in fact, "tri-powered", electric-diesel-battery; (recall, also, the NH's iconic FL-9's, that operated off of both third rail and diesel power)

This unique third rail operation ended in 1953............

"NYO"

["538"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interesting view of some of the interlocking at GCT; recall that, through the the P-C/ConRail era, NYC electric locomotives were equipped with diminutive pantographs, which were used to draw power from short sections of overhead "third rail" at third rail gaps when going through switches and crossovers..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?23937

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["5:45 WHITE PLAINS EXPRESS"]