St Pancras International partners with Grand Central Terminal

From the 14th of May, St Pancras International and Grand Central Terminal in New York will become station partners.

As well as marking the first transatlantic station twinning, the partnership sees two internationally recognised landmarks, Grand Central Terminal – otherwise known as the ‘world’s loveliest station¹’ – and St Pancras International – voted the UK’s favourite train station² – join forces to share experiences about how the stations work, share knowledge on how they can be improved even further , and host joint-events.

The stations have followed a similar path since their construction. Both are considered engineering feats of their time with stunning architecture (beaux-arts at Grand Central Terminal and Victorian at St Pancras), eye catching clocks and reputations as romantic meeting destinations.

Wendy Spinks, commercial director of HS1 International ltd (owners of St Pancras International) says: “To be the first UK train station to partner with a US station is a significant moment for us. Grand Central Terminal was one of the inspirations behind our own refurbishment so this partnership further cements our already close bond. The station is heralded across the world for its stunning architecture and fantastic facilities so it is a perfect match for St Pancras International.”

The mid-1960s saw both Grand Central Terminal and St Pancras face closure before devoted members of the public fought to save and protect the buildings from future demolition. Subsequent renovations have resulted in the creation of two of the world’s busiest transport hubs and renowned tourist destinations.

Spinks continues: “London and New York are two of the greatest cities on earth and this agreement is a big step in consolidating the capital’s special relationship with the Big Apple. We look forward to working closely with the team across the pond to share knowledge throughout the year.”

To mark the launch of the historic agreement, Randy Fleischer, vice president of Grand Central Terminal, made a trip to the UK on 14th May to sign the paperwork and see St Pancras.

He said: “To be able to visit the station and witness everything underneath the iconic Barlow Shed roof first hand is fantastic. Both stations are a must see destination for commuters, tourists and locals whether they are travelling, eating or just taking in the atmosphere so this partnership will no doubt lead to a number of exciting developments for both stations.”

References

1. BBC News – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21353825
2. Passenger Focus survey – http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/press/81-of-passengers-satisfied-with-rail-journey