Concourse Shops, Union Station

The Concourse from which all trains depart was once the largest room in the world. Thirty tracks emanated from the long expanse, the boarding area separated from the rest of the concourse by 15 great iron gates. With the decline of the railroads in the US, most of the space became unnecessary. Union Station went through a long decline as well, but was reborn through a massive renovation project in 1989. The outer wings of the concourse were removed to bring the room into line with the station proper. The floor at the center of the concourse was carved out to reveal what was at one time the massive baggage room below, now given over to a huge food court and shopping arcade. Shops were installed on the main level and a second level built for additional shops. Train operations, including ticketing, were moved to counters at the center of the concourse.

The renovation project has been hugely successful. Union Station bustles with shoppers, diners and sightseers throughout the day and night. There is still fairly extensive rail traffic (in US terms, at least), but now passengers have a full range of services and diversions available to them.

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