This article: America’s Finest Railroad Station By Kevin P. Keefe Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station has it all I really like the article - though the photos could have been chosen and edited better, I think, to be more representaive of the experience - and I’ve often thought that about the place, too, but I’ve always attributed that to familiarity and ‘hometown bias’. I still think it has several deficiencies and an outstanding attribute, as follows: Deficiencies: 1. No-Name: Come on, a great station has to have a worthy name. “30th Street” is a location, not an icon, and doesn’t cut it. It couldn’t legitimately be a “Union” station, and there are already 2 “Pennsylvania” or “Penn” stations further north at Newark and New York City. West Philadelphia isn’t quite right - and I think there was already one of those then, too. Maybe “Schuylkill River Station” - but who else other than a native could spell it ? Misrouted baggage by the carload ! “Consolidated Station” is too dry. How about “Quaker City Station” ? “Philadelphia Station” ? Better yet - “Commonwealth Station” !! 2. Dark platform area: They’re a little better now, but still only slightly better than a decrepit subway or sub-basement boiler room. As Daniel Patrick Moynihan said after the NYC Penn Station was demolished: “Now we enter the city like rats.” They need to be brightened and spruced up with colorful tile or wall treatm |
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What I like about the place is that it still has the PRR ambiance and atmosphere, so much more so than Newark and of course totally missing in New York. Do love the food court days. About 10 15 years ago came in from Atlantic City about 7 or 8 one evening expecting to be able to have a dinner but found only McDonald’s open; dissappointe, hope things are better now. As far as the name, 30th Street it is: distinct, it is Pennsylvania Railroad: what else and where else? It is pure Pennsylvania Railroad at its best, change the name and it is all is gone.