American Experience

The Rise and Fall of Penn Station, Chapter 1

Clip: Season 26 Episode 5 | 8m 42s

The enormous engineering feat and one of the greatest architectural achievements of its time, Pennsylvania Station was torn down after just 53 years. Premieres on PBS American Experience February 18, 2014.

Aired: 02/18/14

Rating: NR

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Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Consumer Cellular. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

More Extras From This Episode

Video thumbnail: American Experience Preliminary Worries with the Pennsylvania Railroad Tunnels

American Experience

Preliminary Worries with the Pennsylvania Railroad Tunnels

The Pennsylvania Railroad announced they would be tunneling into Manhattan.

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 2m 6s

Preliminary Worries with the Pennsylvania Railroad Tunnels

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 2m 6s

Video thumbnail: American Experience The Destruction of Penn Station

American Experience

The Destruction of Penn Station

In 1961 the Pennsylvania Railroad announced it had sold the air rights above Penn Station.

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 2m 59s

The Destruction of Penn Station

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 2m 59s

Video thumbnail: American Experience Constructing Pennsylvania Station

American Experience

Constructing Pennsylvania Station

Two city blocks, or 28 acres, were initially cleared for Penn Station’s construction.

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 1m 35s

Constructing Pennsylvania Station

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 1m 35s

Video thumbnail: American Experience Hudson River Tunnel Shifting

American Experience

Hudson River Tunnel Shifting

Measurements showed that the Pennsylvania RR Hudson River tunnels were shifting.

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 2m 3s

Hudson River Tunnel Shifting

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 2m 3s

Video thumbnail: American Experience The Rise and Fall of Penn Station Preview

American Experience

The Rise and Fall of Penn Station Preview

The engineering feat would last, the architectural masterpiece did not. Premiering Feb 18.

Preview: S26 Ep5 | 30s

The Rise and Fall of Penn Station Preview

Preview: S26 Ep5 | 30s

Video thumbnail: American Experience Inside the MTA's East Side Access Project

American Experience

Inside the MTA's East Side Access Project

An exclusive look at New York MTA's subterranean East Side Access project.

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 8m 9s

Inside the MTA's East Side Access Project

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 8m 9s

Video thumbnail: American Experience Mapping Engineering in America

American Experience

Mapping Engineering in America

Map history with us! See how engineering has changed America with our new map!

Preview: S26 Ep5 | 2m 15s

Mapping Engineering in America

Preview: S26 Ep5 | 2m 15s

Video thumbnail: American Experience Compressed Air in the Tunnels

American Experience

Compressed Air in the Tunnels

Compressed air was used to keep the water out of the Pennsylvania RR's Manhattan tunnels.

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 2m 42s

Compressed Air in the Tunnels

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 2m 42s

Video thumbnail: American Experience Penn Station Rising

American Experience

Penn Station Rising

The masonry work on Pennsylvania Station began in 1908.

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 2m 14s

Penn Station Rising

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 2m 14s

Video thumbnail: American Experience Tunneling the East River

American Experience

Tunneling the East River

Tunneling under the Hudson river proved easy, but the East River was becoming a nightmare.

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 2m 17s

Tunneling the East River

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 2m 17s

Video thumbnail: American Experience Confined Labor in the Tunnels

American Experience

Confined Labor in the Tunnels

Excavation workers, called “sandhogs,” faced many dangers working in a confined space.

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 1m 24s

Confined Labor in the Tunnels

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 1m 24s

Video thumbnail: American Experience Penn Station Central Control

American Experience

Penn Station Central Control

Behind the scenes at the country's busiest transportation hub - NYC's Penn Station.

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 3m

Penn Station Central Control

Clip: S26 Ep5 | 3m

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