Re: PC: Grand Central Terminal

[Bob Waller <cpbelt@xxxxxxx>]

Rob Carlo wrote:
> 
> Hello all,
>    Looks like we have a new topic to debate with Grand Central.
> I for one am very happy to see the terminal restored.     I've only seen TV
> news reports, but it looks fantastic!
>    Yes, it is not the terminal it once was, but most of railroading has had
> to change to stay competitive and in Metro-North territory a lot of what
> was once "grand" is now gone.   I have fond memories of this area and have
> mourned many railroad landmarks destroyed for progress, but most commuters
> just want to get to work on time and I believe Metro-North does a pretty
> good job.   That is their reason for being.   I'd love to see PC still
> running to GCT,  but face it, to the average passenger it was a dismal
> experience with late trains, engine fires, and smoke in the terminal
> routine.   My brother may soon be a commuter to GCT and as a non railfan,
> I'm sure he'll appreciate arriving to a sparkling, living terminal versus
> the drab place it had become.

I'll have to agree with this!

>     On the other hand, a restoration of this magnitude and a building with
> all this history deserves some mention of it's historic past.    True, most
> people have probably no knowledge of NYC or it's flagship 20th Century
> Limited.   This railroad and this train more than any other (NH or PC) need
> some kind of mention or exhibit within GCT to remind those who visit today
> of what made the terminal great.
<snip>

I think the main problem is that few people today, especially the 20s-30s
age range, know the historic significance of anything.  Few people seem to
care about the past of our nation. World War II is being forgotten. Too much
caught up in the present and future, acquiring money. I'm sure few walking
around the terminal really care about its history. This is the plight of
modern America.

That being said, I think the restoration people failed in an opportunity to
educate the people about not only the terminal's history, but also failed to
educate them about their city's and our nation's heritage. Such is the
tragedy of today's planners.

Still, something is better than nothing. That, my friends, is a major
backhanded compliment!

Bob Waller (a guy in his mid-30s who respects our history :)
Conrail Cyclopedia: http://crcyc.railfan.net/