Grand Central Depot

Grand Central Depot was completed in 1871 and united three railroads. business magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt had the idea of a central depot in Manhattan, eliminating the need for transfers between the major lines going in and out of the city. 42nd street was decided upon as the location for it as steam locomotives were banned south of that street, although the area was very undeveloped. the depot had 3 separate waiting rooms and ticket offices for each railroad, and an enormous glass and iron train shed. the station reached it's capacity quickly and an annex with more tracks was added across the street, but this was not enough and the station was expanded with additional 3 floors added to the building. the renovated depot replaced the three mansard roof towers with two neo-renaissance style towers. the tracks into the station were problematic and a crash in 1902 resulted in electrification and replacement of Grand Central Depot with today's Grand Central Terminal in 1913.