Grand Central Terminal: 100 Years of a New York Landmark by Anthony W. Robins & NY Transit Museum

Author:Anthony W. Robins & NY Transit Museum
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stewart, Tabori & Chang
Published: 2016-01-06T00:00:00+00:00

Current stationmaster’s office, Photograph by Frank English

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Red Caps

“There were but thirteen tracks running into what is now Grand Central Station, and but ten porters, when George Schuman went to work there, almost half a century ago, at unloading mail and baggage.… ‘About the time the station was finished I went over and asked for a job. They needed porters and I got a job at $42.50 a month unloading and loading mail and baggage.… The first uniforms were green and gold. Then they put us into blue blouses and brown corduroy pants. Finally one of the officials of the New York Central brought back twelve red caps from London, so we all put on red caps, the first ones in New York City. I remember that the timetables were marked with the words ‘Do not tip the Red Caps.’ We got few tips in those days; just our salary.’ ”

—NEW YORK TIMES, JUNE 1, 1924

“Even the humble, red-capped porters, whose chief business is to wait on travelers, are carefully drilled until they can supply readily and courteously all ordinary information about trains. Should they be unable to answer a question, they do not direct the inquirer to some one else; instead, they escort him to one of the attendants in gray frock coats and white caps, who are walking encyclopedias.… In short, personal service is the keynote to which everything in this railroad palace is attuned. While facilities have been provided for handling a quarter of a million persons a day, each one is made to feel that he is the only passenger the New York Central has, and that it is afraid of losing him.”

—RAILWAY AND ENGINEERING REVIEW, JANUARY 25, 1913

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