by PC1100
Does anyone recall when the procedure ended of the Gatemen at Grand Central Terminal checking passengers tickets at the train gates on the Upper Level? After doing a little research I have found that this was still being done, at least for long distance trains, as late as 1953. If Hollywood is accurate it was still being done when Hitchcock's North by Northwest was filmed there in the summer of 1958, as it is a Gateman who asks the character Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) to show his ticket when he tries to board the 20th Century Limited. This is the last evidence I can find of this seemingly forgotten procedure (incidentally if you look carefully above many of the Upper Level gates, to this day you can still see some of the letters on the marble that once spelled out "ALL PASSENGERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SHOW THEIR TICKETS AT THE GATES".)
As a note I already know that this procedure was completely separate from the "gate collection" of tickets on the lower level for rush hour commuter trains. That started around 1964 and lasted into the 1970s.
As a note I already know that this procedure was completely separate from the "gate collection" of tickets on the lower level for rush hour commuter trains. That started around 1964 and lasted into the 1970s.