Grand Central: Crisis Leads to Opportunity

Chief Engineer William Wilgus solved the issue of capacity by using electric trains. More

Following a deadly train crash in 1902, steam locomotives were banned in Manhattan. Grand Central's Chief Engineer William Wilgus pioneered a new technology by harnessing electricity to power the New York Railroad's trains. By using electric trains, he could do away with Grand Central's massive train shed and dig tunnels below ground, cover the train yards, and have an underground station.

AIR DATE 2/4/08