Railroad terminals serving New York City facts for kids

New York City has always been a busy place, and trains played a huge part in making it that way! For over a hundred years, many different railroad lines helped people and goods travel in and out of the city. These trains used special places called terminals or stations where their journeys began or ended. Think of them as big train hubs!

This article will tell you about the main train lines that served New York City and the important terminals they used. Some of these terminals are still super busy today, like Penn Station and Grand Central.

Major Train Terminals in NYC

New York City and the nearby areas in New Jersey have been home to several very important train terminals. These were the main spots where passengers got on and off trains, and where goods were loaded and unloaded.

Penn Station: A Busy Hub

New York City Railroads around 1900. You can see how many lines connected to the city!

Penn Station opened in 1910 and is still one of the busiest train stations in the world. It's located right in Manhattan. Many different railroads have used Penn Station over the years. Today, it's a major stop for Amtrak and NJ Transit trains.

Grand Central: A Beautiful Landmark

Grand Central Terminal opened in 1871 and is famous for its beautiful architecture. It's also in Manhattan and is a very popular spot for commuters using Metro-North trains. Many historic railroads, like the New York Central, used Grand Central as their main terminal.

New Jersey Terminals: Connecting Across the River

Before tunnels made it easier to get trains directly into Manhattan, many railroads ended their journeys in New Jersey. Passengers would then take ferries across the Hudson River to reach New York City. Some of these important New Jersey terminals included:

• Hoboken Terminal: Opened in 1863, it's still a busy station for NJ Transit.
• Exchange Place: This station was used by the Pennsylvania Railroad from 1834 to 1961.
• Communipaw Terminal: This was a major hub for the Central Railroad of New Jersey from 1864 to 1967.
• Pavonia Terminal: Used by the Erie Railroad from 1861 to around 1956.
• Weehawken Terminal: This was the main terminal for the West Shore Railroad from 1884 to 1959.

Who Owned Which Terminal?

Sometimes, a railroad company owned a part of or even the whole terminal they used. In the table below, if a railroad's connection to a terminal has a light red background, it means that railroad had a special ownership stake in that terminal. This was a big deal because it gave them more control over their operations.

Railroads and Their Terminal Connections

Here's a look at some of the major railroad lines that served New York City and which terminals they used. You'll see how some lines used multiple terminals over time or shared them with other companies.