Re: (rshsdepot) Terminals before 1900

["James Kelling" <james.kelling_@_nara.gov>]

Concerning Indianapolis, I should have said, "according to some sources"
(Trains Magazine, Jan. 2007) and Janet G. Potter's book on American
railroad stations.  Did they get it wrong?  

J. Kelling

>>> ribear_@_cox.net 3/12/2007 11:54 AM >>>

- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James Kelling" <james.kelling_@_nara.gov>
To: <rshsdepot_@_lists.railfan.net>
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 9:47 AM
Subject: Re: (rshsdepot) Terminals before 1900


>I think Portland (OR) Union Station also predates 1900.  The first
> "Union Station" was at Indianapolis in 1853.
> 
> J. Kelling

There were numerous Union Stations before 1853. A "union" station was 
any one where the lines of two or more railroads intersected and
exchanged 
passengers. They were usually jointly owned and operated by the RRs
involved. 
I know for a fact that the Providence & Worcester/Boston & Providence/
Providence & Stonington (the P&S later became the New York, Providence

& Boston) Union Station in Providence opened in 1847. At the time, it
was 
reputed to be the largest railroad station in the world, nearly 700
feet long, with 
four tracks under a shed on the west (New York) side, and four more
under an 
identical shed on the east (Worcester/Boston) side. It was destroyed by
a fire 
in 1892.

Photo here :
http://www.artinruins.com/arch/stillinuse/unionstation/ 

NOTE : the historical account from the RI Foundation's website has
numerous
errors and omissions

Jim.
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