Special Grand central terminal centennial edition…

Kudos Galore! Gracious and award-winning—that’s Grand Central. See details on page 3.

Still Shooting Retired Photographer Frank English has a few more pictures left of this grand dame. Read story on page 5.

Party Hearty It was an all-day party worthy of 100 years of living. See photos on pages 6‑7.

I Remember… Some long-time employees share their stories about Grand Central. Story on pages 10‑11.

Celebrants from all over the country (and world) came together to wish the iconic Grand Central Terminal “Happy 100th”! It was a party to be seen as dignitaries, entertainers and elected official gathered to pay tribute to this grand dame. See this special issue for a wrap‑up of Centennial events.

continued on page 12

Grand Central Terminal’s 100th birthday celebration on Friday, February 1, was

marked with a host of activities, as well as a distinguished line-up of speakers, including MTA and elected officials, dignitaries, and entertainers who shared their memories of this majestic landmark facility.

Many participants also touched upon what is considered to one of the greatest transformation stories: the Terminal’s journey from its darkest years to becoming one of the world’s most high-profile trans-portation hubs and tourist destinations.

Also remembered during the ceremony were two key people instrumental in rescuing the Terminal at a critical time from destruction—Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and former Mayor Ed Koch, who passed away in the early hours of February 1, on the facility’s 100th anniversary.

Looking Good @ 100!March 2013The News Publication for MTA Metro-North Railroad Employees

The event was lively with moments of pomp and ceremony as entertainment and speeches were intermixed. Featured perform-ers included the West Point Brass & Percussion Band, Grammy winner Melissa Manchester, electric violinist Sarah Char-ness, and the Celia Cruz Bronx High School.

Sharing their impressions and memories of the Terminal were Mayor Michael Bloomberg; President Howard Permut; former Metro-North President Peter Stangl; Acting MTA Chairman Fernando Ferrer; Interim MTA Executive Director Thomas Prendergast; author and attorney Caroline Kennedy; former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins; and, a host of other dignitaries.

“Grand Central opened not only as a great train station, but also as a symbolic corner-stone for the city. It heralded to New Yorkers then and now: ‘you have arrived, and you have Read us at home at www.yourmnr.org

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Dear Mayor Beame

I write to you about Grand Central Station, with the prayer that

you will see fit to have the City of New York appeal Judge Saypol’s

decision. Is it not cruel to let our city die by degrees, stripped of all her

proud moments, until there is nothing left of all her history and

beauty to inspire our children? If they are not inspired by the past

of our city, where will they find the strength to fight for her future?

Americans care about their past, but for short term gain they

ignore it and tear down everything that matters.

Maybe, with our bicentennial approaching, this is the moment

to take a stand, to reverse the tide, so that we won’t all end up in a

uniform world of steel and glass boxes.

Old buildings were made better than we will ever be able to

afford to make them again. They can have new and useful lives,

from the largest to the smallest. They can serve the community and

bring people together.

Everyone, from every strata of our city, is wounded by what is

happening—but feel powerless—hopeless that their petitions will

have any effect.

I think of the time President Kennedy was faced with the

destruction of Lafayette Square, opposite the White House. That

historic 19th century square was about to be demolished to make

way for a huge Eisenhower-approved Government Office Building.

All contracts had been signed. At the last minute he cancelled

them—and as he did so, he said, “This is the act I may be most

remembered for.”

Dear Mayor Beame—your life has been devoted to this city.

Now you serve her in the highest capacity. You are her people’s

last hope—all their last hopes lie with you.

It would be so noble if you were to go down in history as the

man who was brave enough to stem the tide, brave enough to stand

up against the greed that would devour New York bit by bit. People

now, and people not yet born will be grateful to you and honor your

name. With my admiration and respect

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

2013 is a couple of months old, and we already have two milestones under our belt — Metro-North’s 30th an ni versary on January 1 and Grand Central Terminal’s 100th anniversary on February 1!

The Grand Central Centennial celebrato ry events were extraordinary, from a rededica-tion ceremony and speeches given by a list of New York dignitaries, to lively entertainment and an exhibit that traces the history of this iconic facility.

At this point, I’d like to congratulate all those employees who worked so diligently on putting this spectacular and successful Centennial event together — those who helped conceptualize the celebration, who participated in the endless pre-planning, and finally who “worked the event.” It was an outstanding celebration!

I also want to recognize all the employees who worked behind the scenes to keep the Terminal looking good and our service operating seamlessly, during this all-consum-ing event, which stretched from corner to corner of the facility.

It is particularly exciting that Metro-North has stewardship of this historic and iconic Terminal. And I want to extend a “job well done” to those of you who have played a role in maintaining this facility which has become a, if not the, premier transportation hub in the world. And you did this while we provided outstanding train service.

Grand Central is truly unique. It is a grand palace, and a temple for transporta-tion that was built for us and the everyday commuter. It is a premier destination and gathering place for people from all walks of life and from literally all over the world.

Seeing how the Terminal is today, it is hard to believe that Grand Central was slated for destruction in the mid-1970s. The driving force behind the facility’s rescue was Jacque-line Kennedy Onassis. At right, you can read Mrs. Onassis’ most compelling letter to then Mayor Abe Beame as to why the Ter mi nal should have been saved from the wrecking ball. Keep her words in mind next time you walk through Grand Central Terminal.

Happy 100th Anniversary, Grand Central!

GCT Centennial A Message From President Howard Permut 1

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At our Centennial celebration, Caroline Kennedy read this letter from her mother Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to then-Mayor Abe Beame, which was instrumental in helping save Grand Central from destruction.

OnTrack_Mar13_v5.indd 2 3/14/13 3:30 PM

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3

Dear Mayor Beame

I write to you about Grand Central Station, with the prayer that

you will see fit to have the City of New York appeal Judge Saypol’s

decision. Is it not cruel to let our city die by degrees, stripped of all her

proud moments, until there is nothing left of all her history and

beauty to inspire our children? If they are not inspired by the past

of our city, where will they find the strength to fight for her future?

Americans care about their past, but for short term gain they

ignore it and tear down everything that matters.

Maybe, with our bicentennial approaching, this is the moment

to take a stand, to reverse the tide, so that we won’t all end up in a

uniform world of steel and glass boxes.

Old buildings were made better than we will ever be able to

afford to make them again. They can have new and useful lives,

from the largest to the smallest. They can serve the community and

bring people together.

Everyone, from every strata of our city, is wounded by what is

happening—but feel powerless—hopeless that their petitions will

have any effect.

I think of the time President Kennedy was faced with the

destruction of Lafayette Square, opposite the White House. That

historic 19th century square was about to be demolished to make

way for a huge Eisenhower-approved Government Office Building.

All contracts had been signed. At the last minute he cancelled

them—and as he did so, he said, “This is the act I may be most

remembered for.”

Dear Mayor Beame—your life has been devoted to this city.

Now you serve her in the highest capacity. You are her people’s

last hope—all their last hopes lie with you.

It would be so noble if you were to go down in history as the

man who was brave enough to stem the tide, brave enough to stand

up against the greed that would devour New York bit by bit. People

now, and people not yet born will be grateful to you and honor your

name. With my admiration and respect

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

H undreds of customers, Metro-North employees, rail fans, tourists, local and state officials, VIPs and international media came to honor Grand Central Terminal’s (GCT) on her 100th birthday. After the morning rededication, many stayed to watch it receive (yet more!) honors from the Guinness World Records; the American Society of Civil Engineers; the National Railway Historical Society; the U.S. Department of the Interior-National Parks Service; and, the U.S. Postal Service. n

Kudos Galore for World-Famous Terminal

GCT Centennial A Message From President Howard Permut

1 Metro‑North’s Director‑Tunnels, Bridges & Track Ronald M. Bottacari, P.E. (left), and Assistant Director‑Structures Michael R. Feinberg, P.E. (center), accept the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) award designating GCT an “historic civic engineering landmark” from ASCE National President Gregory DiLoretto.

2 The National Railway Historical Society’s (NRHS) Global Director Walter Zullig (left), National Director Mia Mather (center) and New York Chapter President Albert Papp (second from right) present Metro‑North’s Chief Architect George Monasterio and Director — Environmental Compliance and Services Karen Timko with the NRHS’s Historic Railway Landmark designation.

3 It’s a walk in the park when Shirley McKinney, Superintendent‑National Parks Service, presents Randall Fleischer, Metro‑North’s GCT Centennial Co‑Director and Senior Director of Business Development, Facilities & Marketing, with a National Historic Landmark designation for Grand Central Terminal.

4 Yet another seal of approval! U.S Postal Service’s Area Vice President Rick Uluski (second from right) and District Manager William Schnaars (far right) “unveil” the Grand Central Centennial Stamp for President Howard Permut and GCT Centennial Co‑Director and Senior Director of Business Development, Facilities & Marketing Randall Fleischer.

5 Celebrating railway milestones are (l.‑r.) Pere Calvet, General Director, Catalan Government Railways; Metro‑North President Howard Permut;

Seiichiro Ono, International Department Manager, East Japan Railway Company; and, John Doyle, General Manager, Victoria Line‑London Underground.

6 GCT General Super‑intendent Vincent DiRenno (right) accepts the honor for “Terminal with the Most Tracks” from Guinness World Records Marketing Director Stuart Claxton

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At our Centennial celebration, Caroline Kennedy read this letter from her mother Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to then-Mayor Abe Beame, which was instrumental in helping save Grand Central from destruction.

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Tina-Marie Traynham Customer Service Representive/UsherThe exhibit is extra or di nary.It truly depicts the evolution from Grand Central Station to Grand Central Terminal. I’m proud to be a part of this as pect of New York City history.

Robert Pearson Mailroom ClerkI wasn’t expecting it to be so elaborate — the museum put a lot of work into it. The old photos remind you how amazing this building is and why people come from around the world to visit.

Christopher Polite Mechanical FormanVery impressive! It shows a span of events. There’s a lot to see, and you can come back again to see what you may have missed.

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Initial reviews of the Roberts book highlight quirky anecdotes and

behind-the-scenes information that touch upon the unseen areas of Grand Central

More than 1,200 coworkers turned out for Metro-North’s employees-only preview of the New York Transit Museum’s exhibit, “Grand by Design: A Centennial Celebra-

tion of Grand Central Terminal,” held in Vanderbilt Hall on January 31 before it opened to the public.

The multi-media exhibit is one of many events planned in honor of Grand Central’s centennial this year. Using larger-than-life displays, dynamic lighting, massive artifacts, historical objects and interactive kiosks, it recaps the story of the Terminal’s opening on February 1, 1913, its impact on travel and pop culture and how it has helped shape modern New York. Some of the items, which come from various museum and private collections, have rarely been seen by the public.

Employees Turned Back the Clock at Sneak Peek

See what coworkers who attended the sneak-peek had to say about it.

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Jim Pepitone Director – Power SystemsThe exhibit touches on many aspects of Grand Central — that makes it extremely in ter est ing. I loved seeing the old clock that was de stroy­ed in a Terminal fire.

Robert Pearson Mailroom ClerkI wasn’t expecting it to be so elaborate — the museum put a lot of work into it. The old photos remind you how amazing this building is and why people come from around the world to visit.

Hugo Ramirez Building Services MaintenanceThe exhibit is great—espe cially the kiosks. You can go at your own pace and focus on what in ter­ests you, the Terminal’s modern or earlier history. I’m coming back with my kids.

Colleen Comito Human Resource Business ManagerThe museum did a phe nom e nal job — absolutely beautiful! You get a real sense of the diver sity of people who pass ed through here over the past 100 years.

It’s As If He Never Left Grand Central … B

arba

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Frank English, retired Metro-North photo grapher extraordinaire, can’t seem to leave Grand Central behind.

Case in point is the treasure trove of newly shot “Frank English-special” photo-graphs that provide rich imagery of the Terminal and its people, counter balanc ing the lively and entertain ing text in the Centennial book, “Grand Central: How a Train Station Transformed America” by Sam Roberts of The New York Times.

On Frank’s experience working with Roberts:

“In writing his book, Sam was con-cerned about depicting how the Terminal is today,” Frank noted.

“This allowed me the opportunity to shoot the people of Grand Central and pictorially document the important role that Metro-North employees have played in caretaking this iconic facility.

“With this balance, Sam places the employees on equal level with the Termi-nal’s architecture, which is the way it should be,” he added.

Roberts also tapped into Frank’s wealth of Terminal-related stories and has incorpo-rated some into the narrative. (Knowing Frank, this should provide for some entertaining anecdotes!)

Initial reviews of the Roberts book highlight quirky anecdotes and behind-the-scenes information that touch upon the unseen areas of Grand Central — from the tunnels, to the command center, to the hidden passageways. The book is also punctuated with stories about the famous movies shot in Grand Central, and the celestial ceiling in the Main Concourse (including its stunning mistake).

See you in the Terminal, Frank! n

Initial reviews of the Roberts book highlight quirky anecdotes and

behind-the-scenes information that touch upon the unseen areas of Grand Central

More than 1,200 coworkers turned out for Metro-North’s employees-only preview of the New York Transit Museum’s exhibit, “Grand by Design: A Centennial Celebra-

tion of Grand Central Terminal,” held in Vanderbilt Hall on January 31 before it opened to the public.

The multi-media exhibit is one of many events planned in honor of Grand Central’s centennial this year. Using larger-than-life displays, dynamic lighting, massive artifacts, historical objects and interactive kiosks, it recaps the story of the Terminal’s opening on February 1, 1913, its impact on travel and pop culture and how it has helped shape modern New York. Some of the items, which come from various museum and private collections, have rarely been seen by the public.

Employees Turned Back the Clock at Sneak Peek

Fran

k E

nglis

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OnTrack_Mar13_v5.indd 5 3/14/13 3:30 PM

6

GCT CELEBRATING 100!

Marc A. Hermann

Marc A. Hermann

Marc A. HermannMarc A. Hermann Marc A. Hermann

Marc A. Hermann

Marc A. HermannMeredith Conti

Patrick Cashin

Patrick Cashin Patrick Cashin

Patrick Cashin Patrick Cashin

OnTrack_Mar13_v5.indd 6 3/14/13 3:30 PM

7

GCT CELEBRATING 100!

Marc A. Hermann

Marc A. Hermann

Marc A. Hermann

Marc A. Hermann

Marc A. Hermann

Marc A. Hermann

Patrick Cashin

OnTrack_Mar13_v5.indd 7 3/14/13 3:30 PM

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In preparation for Grand Central Termi-nal’s 100th anniversary, some of our

employees in the Terminal worked diligently to position the Terminal in the best light possible!

To get the Terminal spiffed up for the big party that day—and for the rest of the Centennial events throughout the year—em-ployees from the GCT Electrical & Mechan-ical Maintenance Dept. went through the Terminal replacing light bulbs as needed. Meanwhile, Machinists from GCT Building Services polished and dusted the historic chandeliers that illuminate the facility.

When the chandeliers were installed a century ago, they carried energy-hungry incandescent bulbs. Today they use efficient compact fluorescent bulbs that consume just 5 watts to provide the same amount of light as the previous 25-watt bulbs. Since each chandelier holds 110 light bulbs...that’s a lot of energy saved! n

On Time/Grand Central at 100 March 6 – July 7, Transit Museum Gallery Annex, GCTTo celebrate Grand Central’s 100th birthday, MTA Arts for Transit and Urban Design will present an exhibi-tion featuring the work of more than a dozen contemporary artists who capture and reimagine moments in Grand Central Terminal. (March 21 1 PM tour of On-Time/Grand Central at 100—reservation required).

Nick Cave: Heard•NYMarch 25 – March 31Vanderbilt Hall, GCTInternationally acclaimed artist Nick Cave’s 1st public project in NYC features 30 colorful “horses” that periodically break into movement and which was choreographed uniquely for Grand Central Terminal.

Keeping Time/Poets and Artists Honor Grand Central

April 10Vanderbilt Hall, GCTBilly Collins, Aracelis Girmay, and Jeffrey Yang, among others poets featured in the newly re-launched Poetry in Motion program join perform-ers from Music Under New York for an evening performance honoring Grand Central Terminal in its centennial year.

Inside The Archives: Printed Ephemera

April 2, 12:30 PM (Reservations required) Transit Museum, Brooklyn Heights (Boerum Place & Schermerhorn Street)

Tickets, postcards, timetables, transfers! The Transit Museum’s archives hold thousands of examples of “ephemera,” and Museum Archivist Carey Stumm will show you treasures focused on Grand Central Terminal and the New York Central Railroad.

Getting Ready for the Spotlight

No, we did not announce a new connecting service in time for the

Grand Central Terminal Centennial. (Our ferries and buses are working out just fine...)

The zeppelins are part of a subway art card series created by Arts For Transit for the Centennial celebration!

Artist and master printmaker Lothar Osterburg created Zeppelins in Grand Central, a photogravure or photo-me-chanical process involving an etched flat copper plate which is printed by hand. After constructing a meticulous small-scale model of GCT, Osterburg intro-duced elegant Zeppelins which dock under the vaulted canopy of stars.

The artist explained he re-invented elements of Grand Central, which “…creates a tension between dream and reality, form and function, cleared of superfluous detail. The resulting model becomes an amalgam of fact and fiction.” Osterburg hopes that the work introduces a question of time.

He says “…in the end, one could look at the scene either as something a visionary in 1913 imagined Grand Central would look like in 1984, or, perhaps, how a March 2513 issue of National Geographic might illustrate the suspected 20th century Grand Central activities after an archeological dig.” Either way, take a close look at Lothar Osterburg’s art card because you are sure to discover something wonderful! n

And speaking of time, this photo (by our retired photographer Frank English) is taken from one of the Terminal’s hidden spaces, a small clock room containing the world’s

largest example of Tiffany glass. This luminous 14-foot-wide clock faces south down Park Avenue. It is accessed via a ladder in a closet behind an unmarked door. On the outside, it is surrounded by sculptures of Minerva, Hercules & Mercury. n

It Was About Time…

Zeppelins in Grand Central!

Patrick Cashin

Patrick Cashin

Frank English

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8

Grand Central is 100 and there is a year-long celebration to highlight the Terminal’s past, present and future! There will be a marvelous array of happenings for everyone who works in, uses and loves it.

Here’s a listing of some of the events planned:

Grand Central TalksApril 11, 12 PM, 3:30 PM & 6 PMVanderbilt Hall, GCTAuthors, experts and historians discuss the development and con-struction of Grand Central Terminal and consider the changes it made on New York City and the transportation industry.

Grand Central ArtApril 27, 11 AM-12:30 PM (Reservations required, Non‑NYTM Members $45; NYTM Members $30)

MTA Arts for Transit and Urban Design leads this unique tour of Grand Central’s public art collection. Assis-tant Director Amy Hausmann explores incredible artwork throughout the Terminal, including works by Roberto Juarez, Donald Lipski, and Ellen Driscoll, as well as the Transit Mu-seum’s newest exhibition, On Time-Grand Central at 100. Presented by the New York Transit Museum and MTA Arts for Transit.

Grand Gourmet — The flavor of Midtown

May 2, 2013, 7 PMVanderbilt Hall, GCTEnjoy flavors from more than 30 of the neighborhood’s best restaurants, lounges and food purveyors. Produced by the Grand Central Partnership.

Grand Centennial Parade of Trains Weekend

May 11 – 12Vanderbilt Hall, other locations in GCTGrand Central will be anchored by a rare public display of historic train cars in the Terminal. One of the historic train cars returning to Grand Central Terminal will be “The Most Famous Train in the World”, The 20th Century Limited. Other historical trains include

Pullman, NY Central and business cars of yesteryear. This free, family friendly weekend will be filled with many fun activities, performances, and a “railroadiana” artifacts and trade show, sure to appeal to transportation enthusiasts of all types.

Grand Getaway DayMay 22Vanderbilt Hall, GCTMetro-North Railroad presents a showcase of the hottest summer vacation getaways available at its numerous destinations in New York City, the Hudson Valley, and Connecticut.

Preserving a Landmark; Creating a Legacy

Summer/Fall 2013 This summer, Metro-North Railroad unveils a restored 89 E. 42nd St. entrance to the Terminal. Also created is a “sense of place” identity for Grand Central Terminal at Pershing Square on 42nd St.

The Next Level: Photographs by Hiroyuki Suzuki

July 27 – November 3New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex & Store at Grand CentralThe future of how New Yorkers will travel over the next decades is happening at Grand Central Termi-nal-18 stories beneath our feet. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the East Side Access project with capti-vating images by photographer Hiroyuki Suzuki.

On Time/Grand Central at 100 March 6 – July 7, Transit Museum Gallery Annex, GCTTo celebrate Grand Central’s 100th birthday, MTA Arts for Transit and Urban Design will present an exhibi-tion featuring the work of more than a dozen contemporary artists who capture and reimagine moments in Grand Central Terminal. (March 21 1 PM tour of On-Time/Grand Central at 100—reservation required).

Nick Cave: Heard•NYMarch 25 – March 31Vanderbilt Hall, GCTInternationally acclaimed artist Nick Cave’s 1st public project in NYC features 30 colorful “horses” that periodically break into movement and which was choreographed uniquely for Grand Central Terminal.

Keeping Time/Poets and Artists Honor Grand Central

April 10Vanderbilt Hall, GCTBilly Collins, Aracelis Girmay, and Jeffrey Yang, among others poets featured in the newly re-launched Poetry in Motion program join perform-ers from Music Under New York for an evening performance honoring Grand Central Terminal in its centennial year.

Inside The Archives: Printed Ephemera

April 2, 12:30 PM (Reservations required) Transit Museum, Brooklyn Heights (Boerum Place & Schermerhorn Street)

Tickets, postcards, timetables, transfers! The Transit Museum’s archives hold thousands of examples of “ephemera,” and Museum Archivist Carey Stumm will show you treasures focused on Grand Central Terminal and the New York Central Railroad.

Grand Central Centennial EventsNo, we did not announce a new

connecting service in time for the Grand Central Terminal Centennial. (Our ferries and buses are working out just fine...)

The zeppelins are part of a subway art card series created by Arts For Transit for the Centennial celebration!

Artist and master printmaker Lothar Osterburg created Zeppelins in Grand Central, a photogravure or photo-me-chanical process involving an etched flat copper plate which is printed by hand. After constructing a meticulous small-scale model of GCT, Osterburg intro-duced elegant Zeppelins which dock under the vaulted canopy of stars.

The artist explained he re-invented elements of Grand Central, which “…creates a tension between dream and reality, form and function, cleared of superfluous detail. The resulting model becomes an amalgam of fact and fiction.” Osterburg hopes that the work introduces a question of time.

He says “…in the end, one could look at the scene either as something a visionary in 1913 imagined Grand Central would look like in 1984, or, perhaps, how a March 2513 issue of National Geographic might illustrate the suspected 20th century Grand Central activities after an archeological dig.” Either way, take a close look at Lothar Osterburg’s art card because you are sure to discover something wonderful! n

And speaking of time, this photo (by our retired photographer Frank English) is taken from one of the Terminal’s hidden spaces, a small clock room containing the world’s

largest example of Tiffany glass. This luminous 14-foot-wide clock faces south down Park Avenue. It is accessed via a ladder in a closet behind an unmarked door. On the outside, it is surrounded by sculptures of Minerva, Hercules & Mercury. n

9

Frank English

OnTrack_Mar13_v5.indd 9 3/14/13 3:31 PM

under the existing one and herald the arrival of Long Island Rail Road trains.

Like Johnson, train engineer Michael King, crew scheduling coordinator Gerry Geisler, and special events manager Kyle McCarthy have spent the last few decades working at the station. They are the keepers of the secrets, the little-known stories and memories that have happened over the years. From supervis-ing movie shoots to making sure the trains are staffed and on schedule, these are the people who work behind the scenes to make it all happen.

The Daily News caught up with some of Grand Central’s longest-standing employees to see the grandeur through their eyes:

Customer Service Representative For Melvin Johnson, Grand Central Termi-nal is full of love.

It’s where he met his wife. It’s how he put his daughter through college. And it’s the place where he greets hundreds of lost or confused visitors every day with a smile.

Johnson has worked as a customer service representative in Grand Central in 1978. Back then, his “office,” as he refers to the main concourse of Grand Central, wasn’t quite as pristine as it is now.“When I first started here in the ’70s, this place had a lot of homeless and was very dangerous, and that’s just the way it was,” he says. “This place used to be a hell hole, but I still enjoyed my job.”

According to Johnson, “I’m a terrorist expert, social worker, baby-sitter and doctor. I’m the eyes and ears of the railroad.”

And a Casanova… Johnson met his wife, who worked in a nearby office building, on the main concourse in 1976 after being

introduced by friends. Six years later, they married. “I owe a lot to Grand Central,” says Johnson. “Even though I grew up in Harlem, I had never come to Grand Central until I needed a job. Now I can’t leave.”

Special Events ManagerKyle McCarthy sees a side of Grand Central that nobody else sees.

As the MTA special events manager, McCarthy coordinates all the movie, commercial, documentary, music video and photo shoots that take place in Grand Central Terminal. She has helped work on movies like “Radio Days,” “The Freshman,” “Carlito’s Way,” “The Fisher King,” “Un-faithful,” and “Arthur.”

“We do filming when it doesn’t interfere with our operations and our ability to provide transportation,” says the 52-year-old Woodlawn native. “As long as there is not an official rush hour, you can film, which means lots of nights and weekends.

...they want to come back...everybody

wants to come back...

McCarthy, whose father worked for the railroads all his life, started working at Grand Central when she was just 24. She began in the commuter relations department “taking more complaints than compli-ments,” before working her way up to manager of special events.

Her first movie shoot was a trial by fire.“I helped set up Woody Allen’s ‘Radio

Days,’” she recalls. “It was supposed to be a 1940s piece. I had them shooting at a train gate. Suddenly, a commuter train pulled in on one of the platforms and unloaded all these modern people in the middle of the 1940s.”

McCarthy usually wins arguments with the film crews. “If they want to come back, and everybody wants to come back, then they have to listen to me,” she says.

Standing at the west Oyster Bar ramp, she recalls when the most recent refurbish-ment was completed.

“This is the spot that took my breath away,” she says. “This is where I wish my father had stood to see the new Grand Central ... because I think he really would have been impressed.”

Locomotive EngineerAs a kid, Michael King played with trains. When he grew up, he didn’t stop.

The 54-year-old Poughkeepsie resident is a fourth-generation locomotive engineer for the Metro-North Railroad, starting the job in 1979.

“My father was an engineer,” he says. “His father was an engineer, and his father’s father was an engineer. We all worked on trains in the state of New York.”

The most challenging part of King’s job — which entails starting, stopping and running trains — is navigating the labyrinth of tracks below Grand Central.

But King’s favorite part of the terminal is above ground. The “whispering wall” near the ramp to the Oyster Bar allows one person to whisper into a wall on one side of a dome, while another can hear it from a

Long-time Metro-North Employees Reveal Grand Tales to

While the Terminal itself

has a storied past, the people

who work there have lots of

their own tales about this

iconic building. Several

long‑time Metro‑North

employees shared some of

their (sometimes outrageous!)

GCT memories with New York

Daily News reporter Jacob E.

Osterhout. Below is an excerpt

of the article.

10

Melvin Johnson has worked in Grand Central Terminal for the past 35 years. He’s a customer service representative, making it his business to know yours.

“This is the greatest place to work in the world,” says the 66-year-old Harlem native. “People take vacations from all over the world just to come here, to Grand Central Terminal, and I get to say hi to them.”

On Friday, the iconic station turns 100. And while the newly renovated building is as breathtaking as ever, it’s the people who’ve worked there for decades that really bring the station to life.

Every day 750,000 visitors pass through Grand Central Terminal, making it the largest hub for train traffic in the world. The station first opened its doors on February 2, 1913 and took 10 years and $2 billion to build. In 1994, the MTA commenced a $500 million plan to restore the terminal. There’s currently an $8.2 billion project underway that will build a new terminal

OnTrack_Mar13_v5.indd 10 3/14/13 3:31 PM

11introduced by friends. Six years later, they married. “I owe a lot to Grand Central,” says Johnson. “Even though I grew up in Harlem, I had never come to Grand Central until I needed a job. Now I can’t leave.”

Special Events ManagerKyle McCarthy sees a side of Grand Central that nobody else sees.

As the MTA special events manager, McCarthy coordinates all the movie, commercial, documentary, music video and photo shoots that take place in Grand Central Terminal. She has helped work on movies like “Radio Days,” “The Freshman,” “Carlito’s Way,” “The Fisher King,” “Un-faithful,” and “Arthur.”

“We do filming when it doesn’t interfere with our operations and our ability to provide transportation,” says the 52-year-old Woodlawn native. “As long as there is not an official rush hour, you can film, which means lots of nights and weekends.

...they want to come back...everybody

wants to come back...

McCarthy, whose father worked for the railroads all his life, started working at Grand Central when she was just 24. She began in the commuter relations department “taking more complaints than compli-ments,” before working her way up to manager of special events.

Her first movie shoot was a trial by fire.“I helped set up Woody Allen’s ‘Radio

Days,’” she recalls. “It was supposed to be a 1940s piece. I had them shooting at a train gate. Suddenly, a commuter train pulled in on one of the platforms and unloaded all these modern people in the middle of the 1940s.”

McCarthy usually wins arguments with the film crews. “If they want to come back, and everybody wants to come back, then they have to listen to me,” she says.

Standing at the west Oyster Bar ramp, she recalls when the most recent refurbish-ment was completed.

“This is the spot that took my breath away,” she says. “This is where I wish my father had stood to see the new Grand Central ... because I think he really would have been impressed.”

Locomotive EngineerAs a kid, Michael King played with trains. When he grew up, he didn’t stop.

The 54-year-old Poughkeepsie resident is a fourth-generation locomotive engineer for the Metro-North Railroad, starting the job in 1979.

“My father was an engineer,” he says. “His father was an engineer, and his father’s father was an engineer. We all worked on trains in the state of New York.”

The most challenging part of King’s job — which entails starting, stopping and running trains — is navigating the labyrinth of tracks below Grand Central.

But King’s favorite part of the terminal is above ground. The “whispering wall” near the ramp to the Oyster Bar allows one person to whisper into a wall on one side of a dome, while another can hear it from a

wall more than 20 feet away.The sound’s wave will travel right over

the dome so that it is like we are talking face to face,” King says. “Before the refurbish-ment, you couldn’t do this because the wall smelled like urine. But they did a marvelous job of rebuilding the terminal. Thank you, Jackie Kennedy.”

I don’t go to work, I go to play. I play with big trains...

He takes the same glee in operating trains.“I still can’t believe I have this job after

34 years,” he says. “I don’t go to work, I go to play. I play with big trains and when I’m done playing, my mother can’t make me pick the tracks up.”

Assistant Director of Crew SchedulingFrom the ticket booth to the railyards, Gerry

Geisler has seen it all.By his count, the 34-year MTA vet has

had at least six jobs working for the MTA in and around Grand Central.

He started in the freight yards, sold tickets and even worked as a janitor before eventually climbing up the ranks to become the assistant director of crew scheduling.

From his office building high above the main concourse, Geisler basically determines which crews work on which trains. Seems simple enough, until you factor in that more

than a thousand trains come and go from Grand Central each day and there are at least a thousand conductors, engineers and crew members he has to properly put on those trains.

“Basically, you are trying to cover seven-day-a-week service with five-day-a-week assignments and people need to have two days in a row off,” says the 54-year-old Chatham resident. Of course, Geisler can handle it. After all, if he could work the ticket booth in Grand Central in the early ’80s, he can certainly handle a few spreadsheets.

“The strangest things would happen back then,” he says. “One time, a woman’s dress fell off when she was buying a ticket. She was going to a costume party and was wearing a football jersey and it just fell off. I made sure I gave her the correct change.”

“This building basically takes you

back to the very beginning of rail transportation in New York City...”

Beyond the occasional nudity, what Geisler really loves about his job is the sense of history he feels while he’s working in Grand Central.

“This building basically takes you back to the very beginning of rail transportation in New York City,” he says. “People used to come in by steamship and they would take a hansom cab to Grand Central and then head out to anywhere in the country. Even though we are only a commuter operation now, you still get that sense.” n

Long-time Metro-North Employees Reveal Grand Tales to

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Published for the employees of MTA Metro‑North Railroad by Corporate & Public Affairs, 345 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Executive Editor: mark mannixEditor/Writer: Joe antonacci

Managing Editor/Writer: nancy HuieWriter: mary di landro

Senior Graphic Designer: Barbara Sarcich Contributors: patrick cashin

meredith conti Kyle mccarthy

places to go,’” Permut said.Grand Central also received a number of

awards from organizations around the world, including the Guinness World Book of Records; American Society of Civil Engi-neers; National Railway Historical Society; international transportation agencies from Japan, Spain and England; U.S. Department of the Interiors-National Parks Service; and, the United State Postal Service.

Closing the official ceremony was delivery of a special Centennial shaped like the world-recognized Information Booth clock.

Topping off the morning event were afternoon music and dance performances by Keigwin + Company, The Westchester Philharmonic Brass Octet, and The Knicks City Dancers and Kids. In the evening, entertainment was provided by Grammy winner big band Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, and by Rhythm Collective.

And the party was going on in many corners of the Terminal throughout the day as visitors soaked up the lively atmosphere, while others made way for the special price rollbacks offered by some Terminal retailers. They also paused to view the special photo slideshow on the Terminal dioramas, marvel at the replica of the Terminal made of Lego bricks, and look overhead at the gigantic “100” that covers the eastside “catwalk” windows.

Grand Central’s celebration continues throughout the year with special events that highlight the facility’s past, present and promising future, which is perhaps best captured by Permut’s closing remarks:

“Grand Central is 100 today and Metro-North Railroad turned 30 this year. Our age pales a bit in comparison to the Terminal’s.

“But just as younger generations look to older ones for inspiration, caring for them as they age, Metro-North takes great pride in being the steward for Grand Central and continuing to ensure this wonderful facility lives and thrives for another 100 years and beyond,” Permut added. n

Looking Good @100!continued from page 1

Grand Central The city orbits around eight million

centers of the universe

and turns around the golden clock at the still point of this place.

Lift up your eyes from the moving hive and you will see time circling

under a vault of stars and know just when and where you are.

M TA’s Arts for Transit & Urban Design commissioned Billy Collins, poet laureate of the United States from 2001 through 2004 and New York State poet from 2004 through 2006, to write a poem for Grand Central Terminal’s rededication ceremony on February 1. Collins clearly drew inspiration from the Terminal’s Main Concourse.

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