{"id":7422,"date":"2014-07-12T02:53:04","date_gmt":"2014-07-12T06:53:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/?p=7422"},"modified":"2014-07-02T10:05:40","modified_gmt":"2014-07-02T14:05:40","slug":"new-york-penn-station-june-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/new-york-penn-station-june-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"New York Penn-Station, June 2014."},"content":{"rendered":"

A Difficult Place.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Once upon a time, long long ago, Pennsylvania Railroad\u2019s New York City terminal was among the world\u2019s greatest railway stations.<\/p>\n

Its architecturally enlightened design cleverly blended classical motifs and modern engineering on a colossal scale. Electrified lines brought long distance trains directly into the station. It was beautiful and functional.<\/p>\n

Fifty one years ago the wrecking balls put an end to the fairy tale. Although, from what I\u2019m told, in its last years the old Penn-Station was a tired, tatty vestige of its earlier days. Yet, New Yorkers were justly disgusted when the Pennsylvania Railroad ruined its once-glorious gateway to the city.<\/p>\n

\"Madison<\/a>
Madison Square Garden, which as someone famously pointed out, is neither! Pennsylvania Station is below.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Lumix<\/a>
Lumix LX7 photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Penn_Station_P1050568\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In its place, PRR built the present uninspired maze of passageways and escalators. I find it more confusing than Heathrow Airport. It looks something like mall, feels a bit like an overgrown bus terminal, and seems to have very little to do with railways until you descend into its bowels to hastily board a train.<\/p>\n

In June, I decided I\u2019d try to make some photos of the place. After all, it is Amtrak\u2019s busiest station, thus noteworthy.<\/p>\n

\"Philadelphia<\/a>
Philadelphia you say? I’ll give it a shot!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Penn-Station<\/a>
Penn-Station was mobbed with railway passengers, all trying to get someplace.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Penn_Station_departure_boards_P1050488\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Penn_Station_P1050483\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Brass<\/a>
Brass railings, a vestige of earlier times. Drop down into the roar and odors that characterize New York Penn-Station and board a train for New Jersey! (That’s what I did).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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