"All around New York City, hidden behind unassuming historic facades, sits the gigantic machinery of the power stations that once moved the subways. For almost a century, the 125,000-pound rotary converters and related equipment of the substations remained largely unchanged, but in 1999 the last manually operated direct current substation was shut down. Since then they have been systematically dismantled and sold as scrap, echoing the tragic loss of other New York landmarks.".

"In 1997, author Christopher Payne was introduced to the substaions by an official of the New York City Transit Authority's Power Department. He then rushed to photograph, draw, and write the history of these buildings and their machines before they are completely gone. With virtually unlimited access to the substations, he has developed an intimate knowledge of the buildings that most people don't even recognize in their own neighborhood.

His photographs and detailed drawings bring these lost treasures to life, while his text tells their story. Anyone interested in the art of industrial America will find this book a delight."--BOOK JACKET.