Episode 11 Moynihan Train Hall Part 2

Because of all the twists and turns before Moynihan Train Hall was finally built, there is lots of repetition in this episode about delays, plans and funding looking good before hitting a wall, and outsize personalities putting themselves ahead of the public good. This is a long episode! 

In episodes 10 and 11, we dive into the history of Moynihan Train Hall or, as it’s actually known, Moynihan Station. We cover:

1. A very brief history of the original Penn or Pennsylvania Station in NYC and its destruction.
2. History of the building in which Moynihan Train Hall is situated and its original purpose.
3. Who was Daniel Patrick Moynihan that we have a train station named after him?
4. How Moynihan Train Hall came to be built.
5. A tragedy intimately connected to the realization of the long-delayed dream of this train station. 
6. Short epilogue - plans for refurbishing Penn Station, natural light and all.

Episode 11 begins part way through the planning - and search for sufficient funding - to build the train hall in the chosen location and the episode covers developments up to the present plans for redoing Penn Station.

In episodes 10 and 11, instead of a moment in equity, there are several moments scattered throughout the two episodes, mostly quotes from Daniel Patrick Moynihan, for whom Moynihan Train Hall is named.

Sources

 

Killer’s Kiss (Movie scenes filmed on location at the original Penn Station in New York City) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN6bl9IqwAQ [Relevant scenes are the opening scene and the final scene. The final scene shows more of the station and it begins at 1 hour, 4 minutes into the film.)

 

Miracle on 34th Street (Movie scene filmed on location at the sorting room of the General Post Office, then Farley Post Office, that was transformed into Moynihan Train Hall. The scene features veteran actor Jack Albertson) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeqOkYDqNw8 

 

Robert Khederian, The birth, life, death of old Penn Station, Curbed New York (Nov. 7, 2017) (Shows many photographs of the old Penn Station) – https://ny.curbed.com/2017/11/7/16616314/old-penn-station-history-photos-mckim 

 

Ian Volner, The Moynihan Train Hall’s Glorious Arrival, New Yorker (Jan. 13, 2021) – https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-moynihan-train-halls-glorious-arrival 

 

James A. Farley Building, Wikipedia (Updated July 26, 2022) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_A._Farley_Building 

 

Kelly Winters, Daniel Patrick Moynihan Biography, Encyclopedia of World Biography (Undated) – https://www.notablebiographies.com/newsmakers2/2004-Ko-Pr/Moynihan-Daniel-Patrick.html 

 

Michael Kimmelman, A Grand Step Toward a Better City, NY Times (Jan. 14, 2021) – available via Gale OneFile with a library card.

 

MIL-OSI USA: Moynihan Train Hall Grand Opening, ForeignAffairs.co.nz (Dec. 31, 2020, (p. NA. Gale OneFile: News, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A647061556/STND?u=rock21695&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=16213c15)

 

Marilyn Jordan Taylor, Wikipedia (Updated Feb. 22, 2022) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Jordan_Taylor#Gallery 

 

Jared Brey, Marilyn Jordan Taylor on Moynihan Train Hall, Weitzman News (Apr. 8, 2021)

 

Moynihan Train Hall, Wikipedia (Updated Aug. 17, 2022) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moynihan_Train_Hall 

 

Joseph J.Fins, When Pat and Bob nearly saved health care reform: A lesson in Senatorial bedside manner, The Conversation (July 26, 2017) – https://theconversation.com/when-pat-and-bob-nearly-saved-health-care-reform-a-lesson-in-senatorial-bedside-manner-81649 

 

Robin Toner, The Health Care Debate: News Analysis; The Moynihan Puzzle, NY Times (June 29, 1994)

 

David Dunlap, Amtrak Unveils Its Design To Transform Post Office, NY Times (May 2, 1993) via ProQuest (available through library card access).

 

Clinton for New Station, NY Times (Oct. 28, 1993)