Grand Central Terminal

I took these last summer on a photography field trip to Grand Central Station. I never published them until now.

100 years ago, on February 2, 1913, the massive Grand Central Terminal Building opened in New York City during the heyday of rail travel in the United States. Built at the corner of East 42nd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue to replace the Grand Central Station, the structure and rail lines were built over ten years. At that time, Grand Central Terminal was the world's largest terminal covering 49 acres with 33 miles of track.

By 1947, it is estimated that 65 million travellers had passed through the Grand Central Terminal Building a year. However, by the latter part of the 20th Century, air and automobile travel had supplanted rail travel. The Grand Central Terminal was in disrepair and threatened with demolition. Fortunately, due to The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's efforts in the 1990s, Grand Central Terminal was restored and remained 100 years after it first opened.

The Metro-North Railroad operates 700 trains per day, and it is estimated that about 700,000 people pass through Grand Central Terminal daily.

Main concourse, Grand Central Terminal, N.Y. Central Lines, New York
Main concourse, Grand Central Terminal, N.Y. Central Lines, New York. Source Collection
Detroit Publishing Company photograph collection (Library of Congress)
Grand Central Terminal, New York
Grand Central Terminal, New York | Saturday 22 June, 2013 | Nikon D5100 | 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6

Between 1902 and 1967, the 20th Century Limited operated an express passenger along the railroad's "Water Level Route" between Grand Central Terminal and LaSalle Street Station in Chicago, Illinois.

Grand Central Terminal, New York
Grand Central Terminal, New York | Saturday 22 June, 2013 | Nikon D5100 | 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6

A view of the west balcony in Grand Central Station in New York in this photo taken between 1913-1930.

Grand Central Terminal, New York
Grand Central Terminal, New York | Saturday 22 June, 2013 | Nikon D5100 | 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Grand Central Terminal, New York
Grand Central Terminal, New York | Saturday 22 June, 2013 | Nikon D5100 | 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6

The clock above the Grand Central Terminal Information Booth, with faces made of opal.

Grand Central Terminal, New York
Grand Central Terminal, New York | Saturday 22 June, 2013 | Nikon D5100 | 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6

Fifty-nine stars shine as part of the backwards-painted zodiac set in gold leaf constellations that span the main concourse ceiling. My lens was not wide enough to fit the entire ceiling.

Grand Central Terminal, New York
Grand Central Terminal, New York | Saturday 22 June, 2013 | Nikon D5100 | 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Grand Central Terminal, New York
Grand Central Terminal, New York | Saturday 22 June, 2013 | Nikon D5100 | 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Grand Central Terminal, New York
Grand Central Terminal, New York | Saturday 22 June, 2013 | Nikon D5100 | 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6

Author: Khürt Williams

A human who works in information security and enjoys photography, Formula 1 and craft ale. #nobridge