The cover story on NY Penn Station inspired me to explore even more on a recent visit. My suspicions about NJ Transit wanting a new commuter terminal were confirmed. The LIRR platforms are much, much wider and safer for commuter rush. Recall that NJ Transit uses the Amtrak intercity platforms which are horribly inadequate for crush crowds.
Still I wanted to see more, and my train was delayed, so I went to the western end of some LIRR platforms and noticed the clear view of the complex tracks and angled platforms out to the open cut.
Then I exited the platform on the western side. There’s a corridor called the West End Corridor which I never knew existed. This corridor has high-level views of all the specialwork that is best seen during the daylight from the cut and many of the platform ends. It gives you a great view.
I did not take pictures this time as this is a notoriously security-conscious station and the source of most of the rail photography complaints in Trains magazine and this forum. Suffice to say the West End Corridor does have windows, and while they’re the old-school security glass with chicken wire inside it, it will at least let you satisfy your curiosity about the really busy part of NY Penn Station.
I believe this cut will be covered within several years. Enjoy it as you can.