AUDIO DESCRIPTION
THE INFORMATION BOOTH – GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL
The Information Booth is in the middle of Grand Central’s Main Concourse. The booth is a round structure about 15 feet in diameter.
The base is about 4 feet high with walls made of white marble. Its upper section is made of clear glass windows that go all the way around the structure. At the point where the base meets the glass windows is a white marble shelf. It runs all around the booth. Go ahead and touch the shelf if you like. The Info Booth is one of the most important spots in the Terminal. Want a train schedule? Pick one up right there on the white marble shelf. Need to know what time your train leaves? Or maybe what track it’s on? The clerks inside the booth can tell you. Plus, they can tell you where the nearest restroom is, how to find the Stationmaster’s Office, or how to get to Lost and Found, in case you left something on a train. Each clerk handles a thousand questions in the course of a day. Here’s what it sounds like. Listen to a veteran clerk helping Grand Central customers in 1982. You’ll notice he gives people advice for both commuter trains and for a long distance Amtrak train. Amtrak used to run out of Grand Central, but not any more.
COLLAGE FROM 1982 RECORDING
Where do i get the train for Utica? Which line is that?
That’s the Amtrak. Train departs at 12:15, track 24.
White Plains?
11: 48, downstairs, track 108
New Canaan?
New Canaan is 12:05, track 29.
The 12:05 to Darien?
Track 29.
Pleasantville?
11:48, downstairs, track 108
Rye?
11:40, track 11.
Stanford?
11:40, track 11, straight ahead to your left.
Sometimes people ask about a lot more than trains. You’d be amazed how many times people want to know: where can I rent a horse in New York City? What’s more amazing is that the clerks know the answer! Before you move on, I want to share a little secret with you. It’s hidden inside the central core of the Booth. The core looks like a shiny golden brass tube. Press the Green Button to find out about it.
THE INFORMATION BOOTH – GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL
The Information Booth is in the middle of Grand Central’s Main Concourse. The booth is a round structure about 15 feet in diameter.
The base is about 4 feet high with walls made of white marble. Its upper section is made of clear glass windows that go all the way around the structure. At the point where the base meets the glass windows is a white marble shelf. It runs all around the booth. Go ahead and touch the shelf if you like. The Info Booth is one of the most important spots in the Terminal. Want a train schedule? Pick one up right there on the white marble shelf. Need to know what time your train leaves? Or maybe what track it’s on? The clerks inside the booth can tell you. Plus, they can tell you where the nearest restroom is, how to find the Stationmaster’s Office, or how to get to Lost and Found, in case you left something on a train. Each clerk handles a thousand questions in the course of a day. Here’s what it sounds like. Listen to a veteran clerk helping Grand Central customers in 1982. You’ll notice he gives people advice for both commuter trains and for a long distance Amtrak train. Amtrak used to run out of Grand Central, but not any more.
COLLAGE FROM 1982 RECORDING
Where do i get the train for Utica? Which line is that?
That’s the Amtrak. Train departs at 12:15, track 24.
White Plains?
11: 48, downstairs, track 108
New Canaan?
New Canaan is 12:05, track 29.
The 12:05 to Darien?
Track 29.
Pleasantville?
11:48, downstairs, track 108
Rye?
11:40, track 11.
Stanford?
11:40, track 11, straight ahead to your left.
Sometimes people ask about a lot more than trains. You’d be amazed how many times people want to know: where can I rent a horse in New York City? What’s more amazing is that the clerks know the answer! Before you move on, I want to share a little secret with you. It’s hidden inside the central core of the Booth. The core looks like a shiny golden brass tube. Press the Green Button to find out about it.