SPRINGFIELD, Missouri (KY3) – Inside the Plaza Towers, on the third floor, sits an office with quite a proclamation from 28 years ago.
“I was very proud to be part of something quite unique,” said 88-year-old Irwin Cohen.
Cohen now advises companies on transportation issues. He worked for the New York City Transit Authority for almost 40 years. He knew everything about elevated trains and trains in tunnels. That led him to Atlanta in the mid-90s, where he was director of automobile transportation for the Summer Olympics.
“I was obviously aware of the impact of people moving,” Irwin said, “but the Olympics made me think twice.”
Four years before the Atlanta Olympics, Irwin was hired to help plan logistics in Georgia. His experience, coupled with his calm demeanor, made him the perfect person to lead the MARTA rail system. The trains had to be prepared to carry a million fans a day.
“We’ve taken seats out (of the wagons). It’s like transporting cattle,” Irwin said. “So the wagon rests on the truck. It lives on the springs. There’s no padding, none at all.”
From the cars themselves to the crew, Irwin was the leader of the parade fans and the people of Atlanta. He also came up with the idea of having technicians at the stations so that if problems arose, they could be quickly fixed.
“We had a derailment during the Olympics and I needed that like a hole in my head,” Irwin said.
But thanks to his planning, the train was back on the tracks after an hour and 15 minutes. Irwin ensured that rail traffic in the city ran like clockwork.
Irwin was a sought-after voice during these Olympic Games. Four years of preparation were accomplished in two weeks.
“The only thing I remember is the opening,” Irwin said, “and you know why? Muhammad Ali. I never forgot that. That was the only thing that made me cry.”
“I didn’t see anything except Muhammad Ali, the people and the trains. So I missed a lot. But I was glad to be there because when you’re part of the Olympics, it never goes away.”
To report a correction or typo, please send an email to [email protected]. Please include the item information in the subject line of the email.
All rights reserved.
