Grand Central Centennial

CENTENNIAL CONTINUES

The Grand Central Terminal Centennial celebration continues throughout 2013, with a wide variety of events and activities that underscore the Terminal's impact on New York, as well as the history and enduring appeal of rail travel.

Grand Centennial Parade of Trains

May 11 – 12, 2013 | 10AM-4PM
Vanderbilt Hall, Tracks 34-37, and other locations in Grand Central

Join us for a free, family-friendly weekend filled with an extraordinary assembly of historic train cars, a model train collectible show, and fun activities at "Kid Junction," sure to appeal to railroad enthusiasts of all ages.

Historic Railcar Collection On Display | Tracks 34 thru 37

Grand Central's first "Railroadiana" antiques and collectibles event includes a wide variety of buyers and sellers lining one half of Vanderbilt Hall, offering sales and appraisals of unique railroad and train-related items.

Kid Junction | Vanderbilt Hall

The other half of Vanderbilt Hall will be full of free activities for children and families to enjoy, including exhibits and activities from Disney's beloved Chuggington animated train series, the LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Westchester, and The New York Transit Museum. Other activities will include train-themed story time, musical performances and more!

Ride to Grand Central in style!

Vintage 1940s and 1950s subway cars will be running on Track 4 of the Times Square Shuttle during the Parade of Trains!

Please note: No backpacks will be permitted in event spaces during the Parade of Trains, including Vanderbilt Hall and on the platforms serving Tracks 34 to 37. There will be no bag check available.

Schedule of Events – Vanderbilt Hall

SATURDAY, MAY 11

10:00 a.m.– 10:30 a.m.: Music Under New York performance
10:40 a.m.– 11:00 a.m.: Metro-North's robotic mascot, Metro Man,Talks Railway Safety
11:00 a.m.– 12 p.m.: MTA Arts for Transit Tour of Art in Grand Central Terminal (meet at NY TM annex)
11:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m.: Radio Disney Music, Games, & Prizes
12:30 p.m.– 1:15 p.m.: Guinness world record build & presentation to Chuggington™ for "World's Tallest Track"
1:30 p.m.– 2:30 p.m.: MTA Arts for Transit Tour of Art in Grand Central Terminal (meet at NY TM annex)
2:00 p.m.– 2:20 p.m.: LEGOLAND ® Discovery Center Westchester Master Lego Builder
2:30 p.m.– 2:50 p.m.: Metro-North's robotic mascot, Metro Man, Talks Railway Safety
2:50 p.m.– 3:05 p.m.: MTA Police Department K-9 Unit Presentation
3:10 p.m.– 3:25 p.m.: "Ankle Soup" Author Reading
3:30 p.m.– 4:00 p.m.: Music Under New York performance

SUNDAY, MAY 12:

10 a.m.– 10:30 a.m.: Music Under New York performance
10:40 a.m.– 11:00 a.m.: LEGOLAND ® Discovery Center Westchester Master Lego Builder
11:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.: MTA Arts for Transit Tour of Art in Grand Central Terminal (meet at NY TM annex)
11:10 a.m.– 11:55 p.m.: Railroad History Q & A Panel
12:00 p.m.– 12:15 p.m. : MTA Police Department K-9 Unit Presentation
12:20 p.m.– 12:40 p.m.: Metro-North's robotic mascot, Metro Man, Talks Railway Safety
12:50 p.m.– 1:20 p.m.: "Ankle Soup" Author Reading
1:30 p.m.– 1:50 p.m.: LEGOLAND ® Discovery Center Westchester Master Lego Builder
1:30 p.m.– 2:30 p.m.: MTA Arts for Transit Tour of Art in Grand Central Terminal (meet at NY TM annex)
2:00 p.m.– 2:30 p.m.: "Two Little Trains" Reading by a NY Central Century Girl
2:40 p.m.– 3:00 p.m.: Metro-North's robotic mascot, Metro Man,Talks Railway Safety
3:00 p.m.– 3:15 p.m.: MTA Police Department K-9 Unit Presentation
3:30 p.m.– 4:00 p.m.: Music Under New York performance

*All timing and programming subject to change.

Click here for more information

CENTENNIAL SPONSORS

Target is the presenting sponsor of the Grand Central Terminal Centennial celebration. Additional sponsors include The Westin New York Grand Central Hotel, global commercial real estate services firm CBRE, Inc., New York-based food brand Carvel Corporation, and Columbia Business School. WABC-TV and The New York Times are media partners. "We are pleased that so many private companies with ties to New York City have stepped forward to provide funding that makes this day, and many of our Centennial year activities, possible," said Metro-North President Howard Permut.

ABOUT GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL

MTA Metro-North Railroad is the steward of Grand Central Terminal, which stands as one of America's greatest transportation hubs and one of New York City's most iconic buildings. It is both a national institution and an international example of the success that can be achieved giving new life to a historic building that otherwise may have been destroyed. Over the course of a colorful and vibrant 100-year history, Grand Central has gone from being among the 20th Century's most significant start and end points for long-distance rail travel, to being both the flagship home of MTA Metro-North Railroad and a global destination for commuters, tourists and residents alike. The Grand Central "brand" includes boutique restaurants and cocktail lounges, a gourmet market, and many specialty shops. It draws thousands of national and international tourists each day and wows them with its varied offerings and tour programs. Storied Vanderbilt Hall, once the waiting room for long-distance travelers, is among the most-desired public event spaces in the city.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Full details on Grand Central Terminal Centennial activities in 2013, including dates, times, ticket prices and reservations (if required) are available at Grand Central Terminal's brand-new website, www.grandcentralterminal.com. Information and updates are also available via social media, including Facebook (facebook.com/GrandCentralTerminal) and Twitter (@GrandCentralNYC and #GCT100)

MEDIA CONTACTS

For Grand Central Terminal, including event and retail activities:

John Michael Kennedy, Goodman Media International, gct@goodmanmedia.com or 212-576-2700

For MTA and Metro-North Railroad, including Arts for Transit:

Marjorie Anders, MTA, manders@mtahq.org or 212-878-7440