Just like airports, a train station is often a city's chance to make a great first impression. And in the first half of the Twentieth Century, called the Golden Age of Rail Travel, cities took this duty very seriously. A train station wasn't just a place to board a train; it was a statement about the city's wealth and personality. In an age renowned for its breathtaking architecture, this translated into ornate palaces all over the country, full of vaulted ceilings, Corinthian columns, chandeliers, and fanciful flourishes in every detail, right down to the brass doorknobs. After World War II, when trains were replaced with cars and planes, many of these stations fell into disrepair. However, as respect for both historic preservation and the environmental benefits of train travel grew, many of these stations have been lovingly restored to their former glory. Now, they are thriving transportation hubs, full of shops, restaurants, art, and expos, and often the centerpiece of future development projects. So, in the spirit of appreciation for what’s been accomplished, here’s my take on what just might be the most beautiful train stations in the country.
Grand Central Terminal, New York, NY
Only one station on my list is truly "grand," and people the world over will know exactly which one I mean. Grand Central Terminal, a Beaux-Arts masterpiece in the heart of Manhattan more commonly known as Grand Central Station, is both the largest train station in America and arguably the most well-known and awe-inspiring. It's so much more than just a pretty train station: it's a cultural monument on par with New York City's greatest landmarks.The 49-acre station was built in 1913 to great fanfare. In its first decades, the nation's busiest train station was also home to a museum, movie theater, art gallery, and even an art school. After World War II, when train ridership plummeted, Grand Central was nearly demolished, a tragic fate that befell the equally opulent Pennsylvania Station in 1964. However, thanks to the Landmarks Preservation Act and the high-profile lobbying of former First Lady Jackie Kennedy, the station was saved and refurbished for $435 million. Today, Grand Central serves as a gleaming monument to both transit and careful, loving historic preservation. It is both the gargantuan hub of the Metro-North Railroad, several subway lines and, as of 2023, the Long Island Railroad. It hosts 44 platforms, more than any other station in the world. But more than anything, Grand Central is known for its astounding beauty: the soaring constellation ceiling of the Main Concourse, the iconic clock atop the information booth, and the stunning exterior facade with statues of Greek gods and the largest stained-glass Tiffany clock in the world. Grand Central is also home to more than 65 stores, and the delectable Grand Central Market, a European-style market famous for its local gourmet eateries.
30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA
Standing outside the William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, one could be forgiven for mistaking it for another grand Philadelphia museum, the City Hall, or even the Lincoln Memorial. The majestic, 115-foot tall Art Deco station is flanked by six regal 70-foot limestone Corinthian columns, a fitting entrance to a station Architectural Digest once included in its list of the 37 most beautiful train stations in the world. The 30th Street Station opened in 1933. At the time, it was renowned for both its beauty and exciting new technological innovations, which included using underground tracks for long-distance trains. It also contained a chapel, a mortuary, a hospital, and even a space on its roof for aircraft to land. Today, as the hub for Philadelphia's metro and commuter lines, the 30th Street Station is Amtrak's third busiest train station. It’s also one of the nicest. The Main Concourse features soaring 95-foot high coffered ceilings with massive cathedral windows separated by gilded Corinthian columns, which give the station an airy, opulent ambiance. The Tennessee marble floors make passengers feel as though they're walking a red carpet to get to their train. Like many of the best train stations, 30th Street is a destination unto itself. Outside, The Porch offers a lush, shaded park full of food trucks, pop-up performances, and cultural events. The station is also the center of a proposed $2 billion development plan that will build 18 million square feet of new development and 40 acres of new green or open space.
Union Station, Wshington, DC
While many stations are noteworthy, how many have hosted Presidential Inaugural Balls or Britain's Queen Elizabeth II? Union Station, another turn-of-the-century Beaux-Arts masterpiece located just steps from the United States Capitol, relishes its role as the unofficial capital of the nation's great train stations. The 200-acre station, larger than the Capitol building it overlooks, was designed by Daniel Burnham, the architect behind the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and the Flatiron Building in New York. When Union Station was completed in 1908, it was the largest train station in the world, and the Washington Monument could lay sideways in its concourse. In its heyday, Union Station featured a bowling alley, mortuary, baker, butcher, a YMCA, and even Turkish baths. It also offered an opulent Presidential Suite that hosted several US presidents and royalty from around the world. Anyone who's been to Union Station will tell you it's fit for a king. The station is renowned for its Main Hall, whose 30-foot barrel vaulted ceilings adorned with 23-carat gold leaf were modeled after the Baths of Diocletian in ancient Rome. The ceiling forms a series of elegant domes that curve graciously over a gleaming marble floor. The station also contains several event spaces that have hosted inaugural balls and other elite gatherings. During the day, Union Station is Amtrak's second busiest station after Grand Central, accommodating about 70,000 passengers. It also offers three levels of retail and food, with everything from fast casual fare to Presidential Suite-worthy gourmet meals.
Main Street Station, Richmond, VA
As a smaller city, Richmond doesn't have an abundance of well-known landmarks like New York or Washington, but one of its best-known symbols is the grand, 110-foot Second Renaissance Revival tower of the Main Street Station, completed in 1901. While many stations of the era are best known for their grand interiors, Main Street Station is most celebrated for its fanciful, creative exterior facade. Rather than the limestone common for the time, Main Street Station is made of Pompeiian brick decorated with fanciful embellishments like stone roses. Main Street Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and named a US National Historic Landmark in 1976. The timing was lucky, though bittersweet. In 1972, the station was flooded during Hurricane Agnes at a time when it was already suffering from low usage. Amtrak discontinued passenger service in 1975. The following year, it was damaged in a fire, and in 1983, a six-alarm fire destroyed its upper floors and roof. In 2001, an extensive rebuilding and refurbishment campaign began, and in 2003, the station began welcoming trains again for the first time in nearly 30 years. Today, in addition to offering train and bus services all over the Northeast, the Main Street Station is one of Richmond's premier event venues. In 2017, its 100,000-square gable-roofed train shed was refurbished into a two-level event space offering sweeping city views.
These stations are wonderful examples of how restoration projects can create economic opportunities, attract tourists, preserve history, connect people and communities while addressing future challenges. And there’s more. I’ll tell you about several other noteworthy examples in a future post.
Until next time…safe travels.
Comentários