My expierience is that only the largest city stations such as Chicago or St. Louis had train sheds while individual covered platforms were more common in medium sized cities although I am sure there were exceptions. Length of platforms would vary depending on the length of train serviced but this is an area where selective compression is almost a must. few of us can model quarter mile long passenger trains which were not uncommon in the heyday of passenger trains.
I am building a freelanced diorama that includes a mid-sized city passenger station. My model is loosely based on the station in Bowling Green KY, but only because it is available on a semi-regular basis for research and comparison (when go visit my mother-in-law). My freelanced road is based in western Illinois. I found a great station made by Arnold. Size-wise, it has the right feel for the setting and surrounding buildings. It is served by two stub tracks to the west for mail and commuter trains, two dedicated through tracks and space planned for a platform to one of the mains.
My plan was to place the walthers butterfly platforms along the through tracks and on all sides of the mail tracks. This decision was based on the fact that the BG, KY station has a 10-car length covered platform. I would consider BG, KY and mid-sized city station at best.
In looking through numerous pictures, it would seem that train sheds were more common than shelters, especially in mid to larger cities. It would also seem that, in general, most stations only had a platform that extended 100 feet or so from the station house even if it served multiple tracks. The remaining tracks were simply wood or concrete platforms with some lamp posts, baggage carts, and rarely even a bench.
My question would be, does any one have any thoughts on covered platforms or not? What have you done on your pike?
Also, in looking at the box from walthers, the roofs are a dirty whote/concrete color. I found only a couple of overhead photos. It appears they were generally a dark color - I'm thinking grimy black. In one it shows numerous white blocks, presumably pathes and repairs. Any thoughts on color?
TIA, Bryan