Tracks 17-21 were LIRR tracks, Seldom used by the PRR If the LIRR ventured below 17 track they had to pay a fine to the PRR.
Track 17 is the division point for Line 2. any higher track must use Lines 3 and 4.
Track 17 also has a single platform to the north, 18 track which has it's platform also to the north and has access to the 17 track platform to the south but cannot be used due to the locations of stairs and columns.
18 track is the only track in Penn Station NYC that has a platform on both sides, thought for reasons stated above only the north platform is used and labeled 18 track. Also track 18&19 has the widest platform in the station and was designed to be a commuter platform.
As stated in the previous post, the stub track between Lines 1 and 2 is indeed the "kelly" track named for an engineer who put the train into the block. (I guess he was trying to tunnel "line 5")
C yard was predominantly used by Long Island trains to lay up during the day in preparation for the evening rush.
E or D yard was mainly used by the PRR but I don't know for exactly what. The laying up of mail cars waiting to be loaded and un loaded would make sense but I don't know.
I don't know what A yard was used for. Remember in the PRR days you did not have the leads to the LIRR's west side yard and you did not have the "empire connection" so the yards stub ended in that open (soon to be covered) area west of the Farly post office.
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