Friends of the Rail Forum

Lead us not into Penn Station – but deliver us from poor architecture

What's the most depressing thing in America? Arriving in New York. Perhaps that answer requires some amplification. I've nothing against the city, one of the most thrilling destinations on earth. It's just the feeling you get on arriving by train from Washington DC, Boston or Philadelphia, only to be confronted by the unspeakably miserable ordeal of navigating Penn Station...

Arriving at Penn Station is like arriving at Johannesburg station - only darker and for passengers who have never been there before at least the exiting masses to point the way to fresh air and and daylight. At least the upper concourse has a decent waiting area and a reasonable, but expensive restaurant.

Grand Central is impressive. Vying to impress the visitor like so many of Europe's grand stations. I can't say I was impressed by NYC - but I really loved Grand Central.

On the other hand, after spending time in the concrete jungle, Penn Station was a welcome exit to get back home to Vermont.