'Majestic Like A King's Palace': Inside World’s Largest Railway Station With 44 Platforms, 67 Tracks, An Architectural Grandeur

Grand Central Terminal boasts 44 platforms, more than any other station in the world. It accommodates 67 tracks, with 41 located on the first level and 26 on the second underground level. The terminal's vastness allows it to manage a massive flow of daily passengers and trains. 

The station has two underground levels, making it a complex structure. These underground levels not only handle passenger movement but also serve as a hidden maze beneath the bustling city of New York.

 

One of the terminal's most intriguing features is its secret platform located beneath the nearby Waldorf Astoria Hotel. This hidden platform was reportedly used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to discreetly enter and exit the city without being seen.

The construction of Grand Central Terminal was a massive undertaking. Built between 1903 and 1913, it took ten years to complete this architectural marvel. It is not only the largest railway station but also a historic symbol of American engineering and vision.

Grand Central Terminal is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest railway station by platform count. It covers over 48 acres of land, making it the largest railway terminal in terms of area.

Each day, approximately 125,000 people pass through Grand Central Terminal. Around 660 Metro-North trains arrive and depart from the terminal daily, making it one of the busiest transit hubs in the U.S.

With such a massive influx of people, it’s no surprise that over 19,000 items are reported lost in the terminal every year. From umbrellas to wallets, the lost-and-found office is always busy with passengers trying to recover their belongings. (Pics: Unsplash)