Rewind: Grand Central Station (60 Minutes - 1990)

Out On The YouTube ^

[SamAdams76]

This "60 Minutes" piece is now nearly 35 years old.

Grand Central in 1990

As a daily Grand Central commuter for ten years now, this video is both historic and contemporary.

The station itself is much the same, except many less commuters are looking for information at the booth (we have apps for that now).

The homeless are still around and still getting rousted, however not as brusquely as seen in this video.

The bar carts are now shut down but you can still bring alcoholic beverages onboard the commuter trains for the way home.

Grand Central is now triple the size due to the Long Island Railroad now coming three levels below. For those who haven't been to Grand Central recently, miles of subterranean passages have been added. On rainy or cold days, I can leave my office and get a 3 or 4 mile walk indoors without any overlap.

Also, the classical violin players are back during rush hours.

[nopardons]

It may depend on what generation was is from AND how long one’s family has lived in NYC. I can only say what I know from growing up there and the people I knew.

[Fuzz]

I’ve lived around here for ,ost of my life and I hear grand central and that’s it.

[Empireoftheatom48]

When I was 13 my parents let me visit my Grand Parents in Lake Ronkonkoma ,on Long Island. I took the Reading to Philadelphia then got a Trailways Bus to NYC. I remember that the Port Authority Bus terminal was pretty seedy even in the early 60’s. Walked through the Garment District on the way to Penn Station,while not as big Grand Central it was pretty huge. I don’t think I could do that trip now without being mugged several times.

[Chode]

Such a classic and super functional building!

Amen... it could never be built today

[End Times Sentinel]

As the father of two, born and raised in Philadelphia kids, who took public transit most of their school years, we've got a certain level of safety (and awareness).

But a trip like that even in the 60's (which, admittedly, was before my time by a few years) for a 13 year old? I'd never allow that, and I almost never say no.

Good outta you that you had the fortitude to make that trip, and a hat tip to your parents for trusting you enough!

"Feral kids" grow up to be our best citizens if they get parenting at home.

[Clemenza]

It’s a beautiful place - I am there 4 days a week.

[goodnesswins]

I thought you were going to post something old!..lol...1990? I am getting old, as 1990 seems like yesterday to me. But, thanks for the look back.

[SamAdams76]

Yes, it's a shock to realize that 1990 was a LONG time ago for many people. That was 33 years ago. My grown children were either babies or not born yet that year.

To put it in perspective, I turned 21 years old in 1983 and so the year 1950 back then would have seemed to me like a totally different era - which it was.

[goodnesswins]

Yes...like 1939 would have looked to me ....:?)

[SamAdams76]

Speaking of Grand Central, the Rite-Aid that sits in Grand Central on the Southeast corner bordering 42nd Street, is closing this week.

This was the one place in Grand Central where commuters could get a cheap beer for the ride home. Otherwise, you are paying $7 a can minimum. I usually got a 24 oz can of Yeungling or Modelo for just $5 ($2.50 per 12 fl oz).

Anyway, I stopped in there this morning and they are down to just five beers on the shelf. I found it humorous that a can of Bud Light was one of them!