Have you ever been to a "Union" station? That's a station shared by more than one railroad. For me I have visited Union Stations in Cincinnati, Wash DC, Indianapolis and Burlington Vermont.
I've boarded trains at "Union" stations in New Orleans, Chicago, Washington DC, Atlanta, Troy NY, and Elkhart IN. They didn't call Elkhart "Union", but by your criteria "shared by more than one railroad" it was a "Union" station. Elkhart had the Central on one side of the platform and the Pennsy on the other. That was also where I first saw the Pennsy T-1. I thought that was (almost) more exciting than being next to a Niagara. Oops ... I forgot Tucumcari, NM, where the Rock Island and the SP connected at the station. And Gulfport, MS which was served by the L&N (now by Amtrak) and the Illinois Central (direct from Chicago) until 1950(+/-). I guess Grand Central Terminal doesn't count because the New Haven only had trackage rights on the Central. But what about New York's Penn Station serving the Pennsy, New Haven, and the Long Island? [ 05 May 2002, 14:28: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]
I have been on trains to Washington, DC, Troy, NY, St Louis, MO, Jacksonville, FL (SAL & FEC) Penn & GCT in NYC if they count. What about Denver, CO?
As usul the answer is more complex that a simple yes or no. In one aspect I've been to union stations in Seattle, Portland, Denver, Chicago, Pasco, Omaha, New Orleans, Boston, and many more I'm not sure were Union. On the other hand, as I was born years after the inception of Amtrak, it could aso be said that I've never been in any! (Ok, maybe except Chicago and Boston)
Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, and Tacoma. Chicago has Amtrak and Metra...but the lines radiating from it's confines are Milwaukee Road, CBQ, Pennsy, Rockisland. If you want to say that the roads that went to union Station after Dearboarn and Central Station shut down then add ATSF, C&O/B&O, Wabash, GMO and a host of others.
Hmmmmm. I was thinking on the lines of stations that are called "Union Stations", but smaller ones are fine too! I left out Worcester, Ma. too.
Regards Boston ... South Station could be considered a "Union" station in that it served both the Boston & Albany (NYC) and the New Haven. But North Station only served the Boston & Maine. Now a few more obscure "union" stations .... North Adams, MA serving the Boston & Maine and the Boston & Albany, also Pittsfield, MA serving the Boston & Albany and the New Haven. And now for the really obscure ... Chatham, NY (in the 20's) served the Boston & Albany, the New York Central Harlem Division, and the Rutland Corkscrew Division. Yes, the Rutland actually ran passenger trains from/to GCT on the Harlem Div through Chatham to Montpelier, Burlington, and Montreal. I promise not get started listing the many stations throughout New Hampshire that jointly served passengers on two or more of the following ... B&M, Claremont & Concord, CP, CV, MEC, Mt. Washington Cog, NH, Rutland, St. J & LV, etc. (I think I forgot a few ) [ 06 May 2002, 00:56: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]
Hank, I've been to several of the places you have just mentioned too. Nothing like seeking out trains or stations while traveling! Pittsfield was a neat old industrial town. It's home to the METS farmclub too. We also went to the Cog Railway, but the weather was so bad we opted to drive up Mt. Washington. I don't think the car was ever the same after that climb! It was amazing to reach the summit and be in bright sunshine and to have clouds below us that looked like waves crashing over the mountain peaks! I got out of the car and took a couple of deep breaths and nearly ended up on the hood! I must be too used to the thick air here in the city!
I have visited or traveled through many "Union" stations. I doubt I could remember all of them, so I won't attempt to list them. The Danbury Railway Museum, is in the former Danbury Union Station. It served the New Haven and the Housatonic. As for Grand Central Terminal, didn't New York Central also come in there? That would make it a "Union Station," even though that is not reflected in its name.
none of you folks ever been to Los Angeles??? LAUPT. thats one of mine along with Chicago(where I am at every day I work) and Washington DC. just to mention a couple more! CT
PEIRCE, YOU ARE SO RIGHT! Back in the mid 40's after the war, there were so many people on the move that the 20th Century left one day in 16 sections! But now, even Amtrak has pulled out. The only thing left is the Metro North RR, which is the remains of the NYC and NH passenger lines. Charlie, I've never been to LA. I was in Chicago a couple of times, but just changed planes. Massive RR yards below as we were landing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I boarded an Amtrak train in Toronto Union Station some years ago, and also arrived back there one month later after a holiday in Michigan.
Chicago, Kansas City, Indianapolis, and New Orleans are the "Union Stations" that I've been to. I've driven past Houston Union Station many times, but haven't gone in (I was late to the only Astros game that I've gone to since the new ballpark opened, so I just went in the closest entrance instead of going around to the Union Station entrance). Dwight
Joliet, Illinois (back in Santa Fe, GM&O and Rock Island days) Union Station in Chicago (Amtrak & Metra) Union Station in Denver (UP, DRGW, CB&Q/C&S, ATSF) Grand Junction, CO (still called a "union" station, even though the RR has been DRGW/SP/UP for years and Colorado Midland is long gone)
HooBoy ... the Mt Washington carraige road is lousy even in good weather! And to think you gave up a ride on the Cog to go by car????? When we rode the Cog ... it was a warm 55 degrees with overcast at the base station, but a howling(!) BLIZZARD on the Summit ... 25 degrees and 70 knot winds Oh yeh, and the tender derailed 3 times on the way up
Johnny, I traveled in and out of St. Louis Union Station many a time as a youth and young man. It is/was a wonderful station. Thank god they saved the main portion of the station. It's now a mall/entertainment complex. All trains backed into St. Louis. You should have seen the puzzle switches in the yard in order for the trains to get into the station. It was a maze of tracks. If you ever get a chance to visit St. Louis, be sure to spend a few hours wandering around the old station. It is wonderfully preserved. Alas, Amtrak doesn't stop there......... as in most cities served by Amtrak. All the best, Ed
