The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-01-09
GRAND CENTRAL ALTERATION
THE GREATEST SINGLE M
PROFICIENT


In the Roads History-To Cost TWEEN
iy-dve Million DolIars-The New
York, Kew Haven and Hartford Rail-
road Carries More Passengers Into
New York Than Either the New York
Central the Harlem Division,
New York. January SIT was made
known officially yesterday that the New
York Central railroad company and
the board of estimate and apporton-
ment are in practical agreement upon
the sweeping changes in the Grand
Central terminal of the Railroads.&c.
much so, in fact, that bill is being
drawn for presentation to the legisla-
ture giving power to the railroad COM
pany to change from steam to electric
ity, and authorizing other improve
ments that will make through and SUI
burban traffic swift and pleasant.
Not merely hundreds of thousands,
but millions have vital interest in
this, one of the biggest terminal I'M
provements ever projected in this of
any other city. The official statistics of
the New York Central just compiled
show that in 1902 the number of incom-
ing and outgoing passengers handled in
the Grand Central station was 1885,
S57. Of this mighty host of travellers
the New York, New Haven and Hart
ford railroad carried 6,109,431 the New
York Central and Hudson River rail-
road 5,117,05 and the Harlem division
417037S.
For the accommodation of these mil
lions 1928 trains were run in and out
of the station in the year. being divided
as follows: New York, New Haven
and Hartford, 37,346; New York Cen
trail, ALTOS; Harlem division, 36421;
shop trains, $3.50; light engines, 49,
2S9
Realizing that something must be
done and having its hands forced by
local New York Central trains loaded
by the powers of the machinery of mu-
nicipal government, several plans were
prepared and discarded by the con1pa-
ny, and finally the one now under con-
sideration was decided upon, with
amendments forced by protesting prop
erty owners.
From Croton, on the Hudson River
division, 3442 miles from the Grand
Central station, and White Plains on
the Harlem division, 22.44 miles from
the terminal, all trains, express and To-
cal will be operated by electricity. BY
the new plan it is believed trains will
IN mir
utes, and from White Plains in thirty
two minutes. Big yards will be built In
Croton and White Plains, into which To-
comotives will be run after they have
surrendered their trains to powerful
electric motors, and also for the accom-
mediation of the hundreds of locomo-
tives which await outgoing trains. Not
even shifting engine will be permit
ted to pollute the air of Park avenue
tunnel.
While the number of tracks in the
tunnel itself will not be increased, three
additional tracks will be laid on each
side of those already existing in the
wide cut south of the tunnel, making
ten tracks in all. In the yard proper
and the shed dozens of new tracks will
be laid. For the enlargement of it's
yard the company has spent millions
of dollars for the acquisition Of prop
erty, and it is stipulated by the city
this enlargement shall be made be-
meath the surface of Park avenue and
adjacent streets, and so far as the
present surface conditions are concern
ed, they shall be improved rather than
impaired. All cross streets are to be
carried across the yard at grade or
nearly so for the accommodation of
persons afoot and vehicular traffic.
Many Of these streets now are 'practi
cally close to both. Park avenue is to
be carried down from Forty-ninth
street to Grand Central station by
yiaduct, where two wings will be
thrown out around the station to ac-
commodate it's vehicular traffic A
portion of the surface of Park avenue
on the west side is to be restored.
But by far the most important thing
to commuters is that in consequence of
the depression of the tracks in the
yard and the station to carry out these
plans it will be possible to connect not
only the Grand Central station with the
subway station in Forty-second street,
but the two track systems as well. By
this arrangement, which has the APP
prevail of the board of estimate, the
Rapid Transit commissioners and the
New York Central Railroad company,
local New York Central trains loaded
with commuters will be able to run
down to the Battery and even over to
Brooklyn, discharging passengers at
all the stations along the line. Out
ward-bound traffic also can be handled
in the same way in the downtown and
Brooklyn districts.
The Grand Central waiting room is
to be nearly doubled in width, extend