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And just like that, The Shaft is gone from view. However, it will still be in our memories.
More photos from the demolition are posted at http://www.steamphotos.com/Railroad-Photos/Drexel-Shaft-Demolition/
Good bye fossil Philadelphia, hello solar economy.
Good riddance. This building served no purpose for many decades. Maybe now the space can be used for something more useful. By the way, why doesn't the Inquirer have any pictures or videos of this?
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I liked that smokestack. :)
If it was listed on the registry of historic places, how was it able to be demolished?
One would think that the land between the river/expressway and Drexel would be pretty valuable as a sort of 30th street station TOD. Then one realizes that Penn's similarly situated land to the south is now slated for big park. There would also need to be be some platforms built over the train tracks. Truly, that area at 32nd Street north of Race needs some love from someone. Some of the best views of the city, close to Universities, employment centers, cultural institutions and transit.
I am against it being demolished...
Philly...the only thing you got going for it...is your historic buildings...and you are tearing them down at a feverish pace...
Bad...
Look, I appreciated this building as much as the next guy, but there was no way it could stay. The thing was a safety hazard. I'm sad to see it go, I have to admit. I respected it in its decaying, yet still dignified state. However, the plant was becoming structurally unsound, as well as the fact that these old steam plants often are full of asbestos. It's NOT prime real estate, since its sandwiched between freight and passenger rail yards. It was an industrial building, existing in a city that's lost its industrial heart. The only things you could have done were let it fall down on its own, or help it on its way. Either that or turn it into a museum, but honestly, where would you find money for that these days?
Made me think of my Dad, who lovingly worked for the venerable Pennsylvania Railroad for 52 years; many, may of them at the 32nd street office. Think he would have taken this harder than the merger with the NY Central.
Clear the land and build a new prison for the good people of Philadelphia.
I live out in Drexel Hill, was working outside at that time this morning, heard a big crash in the distance...this explains it.
What was burned there to power the overhead power systems? Tell the story of how the Pennsylvania Railroad electrified the Northeast Corridor so trains could come into inner cities underground using electric power. Tell the story of how this technology made old above ground stations like the Broad Street Station (remember that?) outdated. That would be a great story for Philadelphia.
This lead had great potential to tell a story about our city's past but just fell flat. Let's see some research before publishing a garbage blurb like this. Gonna bring the African-American slant into the story? Why not also report that the Pennsylvania Railroad gave these individuals jobs in the midst of the Great Depression...
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