What is your favorite Station and Why?
Jun 29, 2011, 7:20 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: Amtrak S+, Kimpton IC
Posts: 298
What is your favorite Station and Why?
If I had to rank the stations I've been to recently in order, I'd go with the following
1. Philly 30th - Architecture, clean for a big station.
2. KC Union - History and Preservation
3. Richmond, Main St - Great preservation, but not a lot of train options and suffers from slow performance of the Norfolk line and adjacent train yeard.
4. Thurmond, WV - It's a ghost town on the New River
5. Harrisburg, PA - They've done their best to keep up the old building
6. Chicago - Remember the Christmas Day Heating Failure?
7. New York - Penn Station has suffered from years of neglect
8. Charlotte - This place is a dump in a not so great part of town away from downtown
1. Philly 30th - Architecture, clean for a big station.
2. KC Union - History and Preservation
3. Richmond, Main St - Great preservation, but not a lot of train options and suffers from slow performance of the Norfolk line and adjacent train yeard.
4. Thurmond, WV - It's a ghost town on the New River
5. Harrisburg, PA - They've done their best to keep up the old building
6. Chicago - Remember the Christmas Day Heating Failure?
7. New York - Penn Station has suffered from years of neglect
8. Charlotte - This place is a dump in a not so great part of town away from downtown
Jun 29, 2011, 8:30 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: CMH/CVG
Programs: Marriott, Southwest, American, Delta, Amtrak,Multiple others
Posts: 564
I would add Cincinnati Union Terminal to the list (although I have never used it for Amtrak). This was the last major train station built in the Art Deco era. I have many fond childhood memories of using it as a child. It is now a museum and includes a small section for Amtrak. Unlike Kansas City, however, I don't think there are any restaurants/bars in the complex and the area surrounding the station has deteriorated.
I also really like the Glenwood Springs, CO station. Although there is not too much to the station, the resort is across the tracks and the surrounding area takes you back in time.
I also really like the Glenwood Springs, CO station. Although there is not too much to the station, the resort is across the tracks and the surrounding area takes you back in time.
Jun 29, 2011, 9:01 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
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Posts: 14,185
Union Station in Los Angeles was quite impressive - felt more like waiting in a public library than a train station (ditto on the surrounding station areas not so much).
Jefferson City, MO was interesting, being the basement of a historic building.
Unfortunately, the St. Louis station has really bad vibes. Milwaukee's not much better.
Jefferson City, MO was interesting, being the basement of a historic building.
Unfortunately, the St. Louis station has really bad vibes. Milwaukee's not much better.
Jul 4, 2011, 7:30 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 801
Originally Posted by cblaisd:16670988
San Diego
Other stations I enjoy..
Anaheim, CA- located behind Angels Stadium
Los Angeles Union- always something going on. Wish they had a lounge
Boston South- historic
PDX- for the lounge.
Jul 5, 2011, 6:56 am
#9
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Colorado Western Slope USA
Posts: 157
Los Angeles Union Station: Unique, vibrant, well maintained facility
Philadelphia 30th Street: Classic RR Station, seems like Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint might be standing in line
Jackson, Michigan: Well done restoration of Amtrak's oldest depot still in use
Philadelphia 30th Street: Classic RR Station, seems like Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint might be standing in line
Jackson, Michigan: Well done restoration of Amtrak's oldest depot still in use
Jul 5, 2011, 10:18 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: New York
Programs: AA, WN, BA, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 313
Yup, I agree with San Diego. The station is in middle of downtown, you can walk anywhere. Plus the station is wide and airy, with high ceilings and almost always empty.
Jul 5, 2011, 8:35 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: PHL, EWR
Programs: UA Gold; AA; Amtrak Select Plus;HH Diamond;Hyatt Disc;Hertz PC; Total Wine Grand Reserve!
Posts: 2,401
Of course, since it's my home station, I like 30th St. Never get tired of walking into the station and looking up to take in the soaring expanse. Great taking the elevator directly down from the lounge to the platform and avoiding the long queue.
Also like Washington's Union Station for the good dining options.
Also like Washington's Union Station for the good dining options.
Jul 6, 2011, 9:59 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: TN
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP, SC, Avis PC, HH Gold, Hyatt DM, SPG Gold
Posts: 61
Washington for its lounge, food options, and location for site seeing.
Chicago for its location
Portland for its excellent transportation options, looks, and location.
Denver for its location
Chicago for its location
Portland for its excellent transportation options, looks, and location.
Denver for its location
Jul 6, 2011, 2:05 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: DL Plat. 2V Guest Rewards
Posts: 70
Small Town Stations
It's the small town stations - frozen in time. Park free, walk across the platform- all's quiet, just me and the rails - wait a while, hear the whistle, see the engine's light. The train brakes - spots the car a few yards from my feet. The car attendant steps out the open door and asks, "Goin' to Chicago?" "Yes, I am."
Last edited by HRS; Jul 6, 2011 at 3:23 pm