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In the "20th Century" thread, someone asked about memories of the great railroad stations, particularly Penn Station, NY. I have some that I'd like to share.
"Very few places are large enough to hold the sound of time", said Thomas Wolfe about Penn Station. That's true. The glass-roofed concourse was immense, and a bit of gray haze always seemed to linger around the latticework columns, about halfway from the floor to the roof.
It always seemed quiet in there, like a church, even at rush hour.
I used to look forward to our train trips when I was a child. We'd usually get a taxi or limo into New York from Westchester, and it would take us directly to Penn Station, driving into the covered driveway on the 7th Ave. side. We would walk through the waiting room (which was very large, but we never waited there) and into the concourse, which was enormous. Rumblings through the floor indicated the movement of trains somewhere below. An incongruously modern ticket counter had been built between the waiting room and concourse; sometimes we would stop there to negotiate some aspect or other of our trip.
But finally it would be time to descend to platform level. As a child, I didn't understand why the electric locomotives had Heinz ketchup labels on them, but it was always exciting to see the train pull in (from Sunnyside, but I didn't know that at the time). We would board our Pullman (we always traveled Pullman or, on shorter trips, in a parlor car drawing room) and the porter would help us stow our luggage. I would sit at the window, alert for that first little tug of motion as the train began to head south...and we were on our way to Florida once again.
All gone now.
Posts: 614 | From: Merchantville, NJ. USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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I have fond memories of two stations, both in Southern California and both owned by different railroads.
My first long distance train trip (El Capitan to Chicago) left from the Pasadena, CA, Santa Fe Station. It is a wonderful Mission Style building that is currently being restored although sadly not for railroad use. The trains don't go that way anymore but the Metro Gold Line stops nearby. I spent many hours of my youth down there watching the big name Santa Fe trains come in including the Chief and the Super Chief. I also remember going through the first Hi-level El Cap when it was on display there. Pasadena was a favorite stop for Hollywood stars hoping to avoid the press at LAUPT. I never saw any stars...
The Glendale, CA Southern Pacific Station, now beautifully restored but about lose its Starlight service was a where my mother and I left when we made our annual trip to San Francisco (Third and Townsend) on the Coast Daylight. I remember the real excitement that the arrival and departure caused. I was fascinated by the elevators that were at the end of each car for the porters to load luggage. I also made many trip to Glendale when my father would travel to San Francisco on the Lark, the deluxe all Pullman overnight train. The lights in the diner and lounge always made it look really glamorous and I always insisted on waiting until we could see the neon drumhead sign at the rear of the train disappear into the night.
Frank in SBA (Now my favorite station because it's the start of great trips and a welcome sight when I return.)
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Two favorite railroad stations.......then and now;
THEN would be Union Station in Louisville, KY. As a child a favorite aunt living there took me to 'look at the trains' at Louisville Union Station. I remember being awed by the interior balconies and stained glass windows. I remember seeing two trains arrive and be combined into a single train before departing. (I didn't know it at the time but through reading and timetable collecting I've determined that these trains would have been the southbound 'Pan American' and 'South Wind' which by the late 1960's operated as a combined train between Louisville and Montgomery. It was here that I first realized that it wasn't just freight trains switching in the yards near my grandfather's house but that there were trains you could get on and ride to the end-of-the-line.......the fun could last for hours......days even.
By the time I took my first solo rides on Amtrak's 'Floridian' Union Station had been forsaken for that aluminum Auto-Train facility way south of town. Though it was doomed almost from the start, the short-lived Kentucky Cardinal FINALLY afforded me the opportunity to board a train at Louisville Union Station.
NOW would be the former Southern Railway station in High Point, NC. After years of neglect it has been lovingly restored and is a living example of all those small town Southern stations which didn't survive. The wood inside gleams and it practically smells like 1925 inside. Outside there is a new staircase and elevator down to a new center platform trainshed where you can still (for now at least) board the Piedmont, Carolinian, or Crescent. The fun can last for hours.........days even.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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I recently took the tour of Penn Station in New York. It really allowed me to visualize the current track and waiting area from what it once was. Perhaps the old station was to big and once the Long Distance Service declined, but the current station with its thriving commuter trains is much to small. Like the old PRR Exec's the pictorials of the old station has very few photo's of the old commuter areas. Thanks for all the memories I love those old stations
Posts: 516 | From: New Haven, CT USA | Registered: Feb 2005
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I recently took the tour of Penn Station in New York. It really allowed me to visualize the current track and waiting area from what it once was. Perhaps the old station was to big and once the Long Distance Service declined, but the current station with its thriving commuter trains is much to small. Like the old PRR Exec's the pictorials of the old station has very few photo's of the old commuter areas. Thanks for all the memories I love those old stations
Posts: 516 | From: New Haven, CT USA | Registered: Feb 2005
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While in Chicago I visited Chicago's Union Station. The Great Hall was majestic, it is unfortunate it seems many of the passangers have been squeezed into smaller waiting rooms, though many people found the brightness and room in the hall was much a better place to wait. The Capitol Limited was boarding. Don't know why the "renovators" of some of these great stations went from the origional vaulted cielings to the maze like tunnels they replaced.
Posts: 516 | From: New Haven, CT USA | Registered: Feb 2005
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I would have to say that my favorite station, although it is not one anymore, is Jacksonville Union. Although I not old enough to have ever ridden the train to the station, I have been to two state science fairs (2003 and 2004) that were held there. I thought that it was the most amazing experience to be judged while hearing a train pass outside. During lunch, my friend and I explored the station, including the main atrium, which is completely restored to it passenger glory days. I also think that it's really nice how the convention center has preserved the past of the building and still has displays, signs, etc. from the railroad era. I just wish they'd use it again some day, what a beautiful, and memoriable place...
Posts: 82 | Registered: Aug 2004
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I'll be in JAX the weekend of 04/22-25 at the Hilton Riverfront. If I remember correctly the old station is near there. Is it generally open to the public?
Frank in sunny SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Yes, the station is located right near down town, and is open to the public. However there is a parking fee, but the people mover is very convenient. It is a nice place to spend a some time at, strolling through the halls, and glimpsing at freight trains as they pass outside.
Posts: 82 | Registered: Aug 2004
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