Join us this week as we journey to New York’s two greatest Train Stations: Pennsylvania Station & Grand Central Terminal. In typical New York fashion there were/are two of them!

My guests will be Chief Experience Officer and Lead Tour Guide Justin Rivers of Untapped New York, and Rediscovering New York regular Joyce Gold, Founder of Joyce Gold History Tours.

Segment 1

Jeff starts this segment by sharing some fun facts about Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal. He then introduces the first guest of the night, Justin Rivers. Justin was born right outside of NYC, in Hackensack, NJ. Justin began his career as a teacher. After several years as a teacher, he decided to learn about the history of NYC and explore writing. Justin tells the audience of the history of why Penn Station is located where it is. Justin chats about the partnership between Penn Station and the LIRR. The conversation transitions into discussing the infrastructure and architecture of Penn Station. The segment ends with Jeff referencing the original Penn Station. 

Segment 2

Justin starts this segment by informing the audience about his upcoming tours. Justin continues by discussing why Penn Station’s walls were originally made out of pink granite.  He explains why the granite was used; light exposure and cost. The gentlemen discuss the engineering of Penn Station and how it came about. Penn Station originally had dual tracks; where incoming and outgoing commuters would get on and off without meeting each other. Fun fact: Most Presidents came to NYC through Penn Station because it goes through D.C. Penn Station went through a tough time, when commuters were choosing planes and cars over trains. Justin explains how Penn Station tried to attract more commuters by modernizing itself. The segment ends with Justin talking about how Madison Square Garden helped Penn Station become what it is today. Justin reveals that there are still some original Penn Station parts in the new Penn Station. 

Segment 3

Joyce Gold is the second guest of the evening. Joyce starts of by talking a little bit about her background. She briefly discuss how she got into the tour guide business. Joyce begins to talk about the origins of Grand Central Terminal. The station was originally called Grand Station Depot. She talks of why the new Grand Central was set up at 42nd Street. Joyce then explains why the new Grand Central was built. Unfortunately, there was a tragedy on a train, and this proved to be one of the major factors behind building the new Grand Central Terminal. This segment ends with Joyce discussing the history of the architecture and the designs of Grand Central. 

Segment 4

Joyce begins this segment by informing the audience about her upcoming tours. Joyce then discuss notable architectural features of Grand Central Terminal. She discusses the height of the ceilings, the waiting rooms, and the ramps. Grand Central has the deepest basement in New York. Joyce discusses Grand Central during WWII, and the activities therein. Grand Central Terminal fell on hard times as well, as commuters began to travel via car and/or plane. Joyce talks about how we almost lost Grand Central Terminal and how it was saved. The segment concludes with Joyce discussing the landmark status of Grand Central. The phrase “Red Carpet Treatment” originated in Grand Central.