ELECTRICAL FACILITIES

Electricity plays an increasingly important part in the construction of the new station. Electric service includes the most modern and efficient design. Ample lighting is provided throughout the building, on stairways and on train platforms,

In the main waiting room, illumination is furnished by four combination glass and metal spheres, suspended high above the floor and of five feet diameter, beautifully ornamented and dependent from chain and steel cables which allow these spheres to be lowered to the floor level for cleaning and lamp renewals. Each of these contains three groups of lamps allowing three different intensities of illumination to be supplied at will.

Where lower ceiling heights prevail, the lights are recessed into the ceiling with flat diffusing glass covers set flush with the ceiling and enclosed in metallic frames. The lighting current is supplied by generators operated by current from the train power circuits, stepped down through suitable transformers.

As an added precaution, these motor-generator sets, in case of emergency, may be fed from two other power sources, Emergency lights are installed throughout the station at strategic points and arranged to furnish illumination at important locations such as stairways etc. This emergency system is kept burning constantly as part of the general lighting and is fed from a separate current supply line at 9~2/3 cycle, which line is used for signal operation.

The power required for the operation of motors, such as on the ventilating system, pumps, escalators, etc, is secured direct from the railroad current and is passed through step-down transformers placed in a special room enclosed in concrete and located in the basement of the building. Adjacent to this room is the switchboard room where all of the electric services to the building are controlled.

Provision is made for supplying electric service for special purposes, such as show window lighting in the shops, operation of baggage lifts, the recharging of baggage truck batteries, etc

The time element has been given unusual attention, and includes a system of electric clocks which are controlled by two master clocks, which in turn are synchronized with the clock system in the Pennsylvania Station in New York City. A large illuminated dial clock is mounted over the main entrance to the station and a number of other clocks are spotted around the interior of the building in useful locations. Telephone booths are located in groups at several points.

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