America's best rail Passenger Terminal

[Anonymous]

What do you think is America's best rail Terminal?

DOGGY
GO CUBS

[Anonymous]

For my money, 30th Street Philadelphia. It functions smoothly, it's within walking distance to downtown, it has a lot of trains, it has in-station transit connections, and best of all, it's practically identical to the way it looked and worked when it was built. It's like walking into 1940, and it's wonderful.

Chicago Union Station is OK, but lost a lot of its character when the concourse was torn down in the 1960s. Grand Central Terminal is beautiful and busy, but is solely a commuter station. Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal is attractive, but not busy enough.

[jeaton]

Actually, I kinda like the St.Louis Amshack. It is right in the middle of the action and it is a very short walk from the cab stop to the train. (I have been living in the country too long).

[Anonymous]

Mr. Hemphell,
I agree CUS lost it charm even thoguht I wasan't born yet and I was at LAUPT this summer and it's attractive but It isin't busy enoght.

Now Jeaton ARE YOU CRAZY FOR LIKING THE AMSHACK? the desinger who desinged it should live in it.

DOGGY

[Modelcar]

I suppose we need a post for the most beautiful ones that aren't with us anymore...and if this was that...I would have to say the NYC location of Penn Station...Awesome...!!! Like a cathedral...!

[jeaton]

Doggy, Just yanking chains.

[daveklepper]

I agree the old ny Penn was best and now 30th is the next best thing. What I particularly like about 30th is its convenience of access. It actually has decent parking for those who continue to guzzle gas, taxis are convenient, there is a passegway to the Market Street rapid transit and streetcar subways, and the suburban train connections are also good, including direct service to Phili's airport. The building is handsome and has been restored to be as beautiful as it was in the PRR days. If your outbound train lacks decent food service, there are some places you can buy decent food and drinks to take with you on the train. If you are waiting for a train, there are usually enough seats to sit down, and if you're an Amtrak first class passenger, there is a nice lounge. The lighting is decent and you can read while you wait. There are enough pay phones to use. The ticket agents are knowledgable and helpful. The temperature never seems to hot or too cold. And it still looks great and the memorial statue at the East End reminds one of our soldiers' sacrifices. Dave Klepper

ps I just hope the intelligibility and naturalness of the PA announcements is better!

[M636C]

Although the commercial development is a bit overdone, Washington Union gets my vote every time. It even has a good hobby shop on the concourse (or it did when I was last there in 1997!) It has a good mix of long distance trains, fast NEC trains, and commuter traffic, and you can catch the metro there and back! There has always been a good variety of motive power, particularly with MARC.

Peter

[CShaveRR]

If you take the word "Terminal" literally, you're stuck with New York's Grand Central Terminal, LA, and the Ogilvie Transportation Center (old C&NW Station) as the top contenders today. I would have loved to see Grand Central Station in Chicago (another true terminal) survive.

[Modelcar]

...Believe TRAINS had a feature on 30th St. Station several years ago...And I too agree the Washington D C station is beautiful since restoration some years ago...and very useful being located where it is and with lots of traffic through it.

[coalminer3]

South Station - Boston
GCT - New York
Union Station - Washington
Old Penn Station - New York
Cincinnati Union Terminal (back in the day)

work safe

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

If you take the word "Terminal" literally, you're stuck with New York's Grand Central Terminal, LA, and the Ogilvie Transportation Center (old C&NW Station) as the top contenders today. I would have loved to see Grand Central Station in Chicago (another true terminal) survive.

I should of Said Union Stations or Termials

DOGGY

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I'll vote for Grand Central Terminal. It's quite an impressive structure even though it may be commuter only. The signs of the Zodiac on the ceiling and the clock on the information booth add to its appeal

For an outlying station, Joliet Union Depot merits serious consideration.

[ironhorseman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

I suppose we need a post for the most beautiful ones that aren't with us anymore...and if this was that...I would have to say the NYC location of Penn Station...Awesome...!!! Like a cathedral...!

Not to detract from this thread but I started a topic over in Classic Trains on all the old Union Stations http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/8391570.htm

I was only allowed to use a maximum of 15 blanks for choices and some were disappointed I didn't include some stations. Also, my topic is a little flawed. I called it grand stations to little depots but found out that that question was too broad and should have just left it as grand stations. Live and learn, I guess.

[vsmith]

For BEST stations still standing and in use...

1. Grand Central Terminal NYC[:D]

2. Los Angeles Union Station[8D]

The WORST...

1. the pocelien tile bathtub they replaced Penn Station with...[xx(]

[espeefoamer]

My vote for best station goes to Washington Union Station.They did an awsome job rebuilding it.It has a good variety of Amtrak, MARC, and Metro.Philly 30th St.comes very close for some of the same reasons.Grand Central Terminal is an icon in the industry. As a station,Newark is also very good.It has Amtrak,NJT,& PATH. It even has a subway in the basement that ran PCCs until recently.[:)]

[espeefoamer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

I suppose we need a post for the most beautiful ones that aren't with us anymore...and if this was that...I would have to say the NYC location of Penn Station...Awesome...!!! Like a cathedral...!

The old C&NW station in Chicago was really beautiful.One time I asked for directions from a man on the street, and he told me,then added,"You can't miss it, it LOOKS like a railroad station.[:)]The old time train sheds were really great.These were replaced about 10 years ago.[:(]

[eolafan]

For looks I'd go with Grand Central in NYC (I used to commute in and out of there every day back in the seventies), but for sheer excitment and lots of action you have to go with Chicago Union Station! You just can't beat it for diversity and lots of trains.

[Modelcar]

....I wonder if I that is the Chicago station where I connected with a troop train back in 1953....It was a grand structure with massive marble like spaces...and seemingly dark inside....but I don't remember if it was the union station being discussed here...If I had to guess, I'd say it was....Haven't been in it since.

[Anonymous]

Eolafan,
My dad on when he was on Business in NYC he sometimes use to go to GCT to ride a Train

DOGGY

[Anonymous]

Sorry Iron Horse Man,
I don't check Classic Trains

DOGGY

[passengerfan]

My vote goes to Toronto Union Station and a good second choice would be Montreal where in the winter one could travel throughout the city without the need for a coat from the station.

[Anonymous]

Whenever I visit Washington D.C. I think, this is the way it used to be in all the big cities. The station is big, beautiful and always busy. Trains coming and going all the time. Yes, Washington has my vote.

[Modelcar]

....Perhaps the environment is similar as it use to be, but there would be at least one difference....Waiting on platforms at trackside and other spots around the Depots and Union Stations....one would have cinders and smoke blowing around and everything would be much dirtier...Steam would be part of the makeup as freight trains would pass on a parallel track too...and of course the noise from the steam engines. Some of this not all bad for the fan....but Washington Union is beautiful.

[Anonymous]

I like Toronto Union Station also

DOGGY