Favorite Amtrak Stations?

[pennyk]

My favorite is Washington Union Station (maybe because I have spent so much time there).

 

[the_traveler]

Good golly...did everybody forget about Beaumont?

The question said "STATION" - it did not say "SLAB OF CEMENT"!

 

[jimhudson]

Good golly...did everybody forget about Beaumont?

The question said "STATION" - it did not say "SLAB OF CEMENT"!

Is RI still in the Union? Last I heard people missed it when the trains blew through on the way to BOS and NYP! We down here resemble that attitude on the part of you Yankees even if we do agree (my pick as the worst in a three way tie)that Beaumont is THE WORST!! :lol:

 

[JayPea]

Just for the interior architecture alone, I like Kansas City. Portland (PDX) rates high on my list as well. And I will throw in an honorable mention to Spokane only because most of my Amtrak adventures start and end there!

Least favorite? For those I've actually been inside, I'd have to say San Antonio. It's hot and crowded. Far too small, IMHO. For dishonorable mention, for stations I've not been in but have observed from the outside, the Sanderson, TX flag stop station looks like it could use a can of gas and a match. So they can start over! I'm surprised it's still standing from the looks of it.

 

[the_traveler]

Is RI still in the Union?

Actually, RI is not even the name of the state!

(But that may change!

)

The state's proper name is "Rhode Island and Providence Plantations"! (For those of you into trivia questions, that is the state in the US with the longest name!

) In case you're wondering, "Rhode Island" is technically only the island where Newport is located.

 

[Shawn Ryu]

Is the building thats in Cleveland and Rochester called the Amshack?

 

[A.J.]

favorite: washington union station, for being architecturally beautiful, as well as easy to navigate inside and out.

albuquerque, if only for the chance to walk around a bit and buy some souvenirs (I have a thing about gift shops!)

least favorite: schenectady ny; nominally less scary than the greyhound station in albany, which isn't saying much! it's not in the best neighborhood, but I guess that's true for a lot of stations

whatever station happens to be the last one on a trip...I never want to go home!

 

[ButFli]

It has to be Washington Union Station. Kansas City Union Station comes in a close second.

I know there are probably worse stations out there but the one in Albuquerque gave me the creeps. Someone tried to mug me there.

Really? I stopped by Albuquerque station while riding on the Southwest chiefs. It was a very nice little station, with Railrunner yard next to it.

When things are busy in ABQ when the Southwest Chief is there an passengers are off the train and hanging around it is OK. But outside these times it seemed like a very seedy place which is kind of strange because it is right in downtown which is a nice enough place. Maybe it is just my personal preference though. It was the second Amtrak station I had ever visited so my only comparison was with Los Angeles Union Station.

I almost got mugged outside the Minneapolis station trying to catch the westbound towards Saint cloud... late at night.. its not necessarily in a good part of town.

It has to be Washington Union Station. Kansas City Union Station comes in a close second.

I know there are probably worse stations out there but the one in Albuquerque gave me the creeps. Someone tried to mug me there.

Aha yes I had forgotten about Minneapolis. I have only been there while cruising through on the Empire Builder. The train arrived early so I had plenty of time to wander off into the snow. It was only after I was back on the train that the Sleeping Car Attendant told me it is the place to be if you are interested in drugs and prostitution! I guess I gave the dealers and hookers the company of a few snowmen that night!

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Sorry y'all don't like SAS. I never guessed it would be considered among the worst stations out there. I'd volunteer to help fix it but I'm not sure what can be done or how to go about doing it. Any suggestions?

 

[railiner]

My current favorite is 30th Street station, Philadelphia. For its classic architecture, for its scenic location along the Schuykill river, with downtown skyline backdrop, for its separation of Amtrak on lower level and SEPTA on perpendicular upper level, for variety of electric and diesel power. For convenient rapid transit service to it, and for direct train to PHL airport, and also interstate highway exit at it. Not to mention, lots of trains in all directions, first class lounge, lots of other ameneties.

My favorite from years past is the Cincinnati Union Terminal, with its spectacular art deco architecture, of which I am a great fan.

My least favorite large station is the old IC station in Memphis, mainly because it was so decrepit the last time I was there, many years ago.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

Faves:

BOS

NYP

PVD

PDX

LAX

Least Faves:

ALC

CHI

SEA

SAC

WFD (Wallingford, CT)

 

[jimhudson]

Interesting! Why Seattle ?(it's a nice old station being remodeled back into a really grand place, Ill admit the work is slow and piecemeal but getting there!)And we all know CHI but why do you consider it in the worst?

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

But is isn't remodeled yet. I don't much care for what it MIGHT look like, right now it it barely functions, it's dirty, looks like a wreck, and is difficult to get to by cab or bus.

And CHI, the waiting areas alone make it one of the worst in the system.

 

[Guest]

But is isn't remodeled yet. I don't much care for what it MIGHT look like, right now it it barely functions, it's dirty, looks like a wreck, and is difficult to get to by cab or bus.

And CHI, the waiting areas alone make it one of the worst in the system.

Ill grant you what you said is true, but there are lots that are much worse and NYP as a Favorite? It s my most unfavorite of all the Big stations, a real pit as others have said! :excl:

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

NYP has direct connections to the NYC subway, NJT, and LIRR. It is easy to reach by cab, bus, or subway. The OTP of trains coming in and out is incredible.

People complain when they have to wait, when they think that they have to arrive an hour before departure and stand under the big board. I don't do that. I get off a 1 train probably 20 minutes before departure-- I usually get up to the Amtrak level and go right to my track. No fuss. I'm in and out in under a half-hour.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

Is the building thats in Cleveland and Rochester called the Amshack?

CLE is not an Amshack, it feels more like a bus terminal. An Amshack is a building that was thrown up, it usually holds five to ten people, has a couple chairs, and maybe a pay phone.

CLE is a staffed station with seating for dozens, vending machines and cab service, as well as parking for IIRC, forty to sixty vehicles.

 

[had8ley]

My least favorite large station is the old IC station in Memphis, mainly because it was so decrepit the last time I was there, many years ago.

You need to see it now; you probably wouldn't recognize the place...now we need to get Birmingham the same face lift

 

[BigRedEO]

Is the building thats in Cleveland and Rochester called the Amshack?

I've heard the Alliance, OH station called the "Amshack", not Cleveland. Cleveland's isn't really a shack, but it's nothing special either. Doesn't help that ALL of our trains ARR and DEP between 1am and 5:30am (as you can tell it's my "main" station). The one thing I do like about Cleveland is that there have always been Amish people every time I've been there and they make for interesting people watching - especially the kids who are wired because they're up at 3 in the morning.

I was so excited at the prospect of our 3C Amtrak train (connecting Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati, hence the "3C"), because we'd finally get some daytime departures back. But now that Kasich has the lead for governor and has pledged to "kill" the 3C Train, it may never happen. Yep, that's a smart move, kill something that will bring jobs and growth in a bad economy.

 

[AlanB]

But is isn't remodeled yet. I don't much care for what it MIGHT look like, right now it it barely functions, it's dirty, looks like a wreck, and is difficult to get to by cab or bus.

I'll grant that it's not quite as convienent as say NYP, but Seattle isn't that terrible for connections. The walk from the light rail train is only slightly longer than the walk from PDX to its light rail system. There are probably at least a dozen buses that stop within 2 blocks of SEA, maybe more. And every time I've ever been there cabs were waiting outside.

.

 

[Cristobal]

The hometown favorite: San Jose/Diridon, SJC! Our handsome 1935 "SP Renaissance" and National Register-listed station is home to ACE, Amtrak, CalTrain, and Capitol Corridor trains; Amtrak Thruway, Monterey-Salinas Transit, Santa Cruz Metro and Valley Transit Authority buses; VTA light rail.. *and* the friendly volunteer Station Hosts!

I'm kinda fond of that one as well.

As a matter of fact, I'll be there later this week to catch the n/b CS to TAC.

 

[user 3575]

...

As a matter of fact, I'll be there later this week to catch the n/b CS to TAC.

Awesome...let us know if you received cheerful helpful assistance from the Station Host on duty. Travel on Saturday mornings and I'll guarantee good service!

And PS to anyone in San Jose/South Bay: volunteers are welcome in the Station Host program! See the program's website for info!

 

[had8ley]

Good golly...did everybody forget about Beaumont?

The question said "STATION" - it did not say "SLAB OF CEMENT"!

I dunno Dave...everytime I fly bye KIN it looks like a BIG slab of CONCRETE !!! h34r: :lol:

 

[jis]

Good golly...did everybody forget about Beaumont?

The question said "STATION" - it did not say "SLAB OF CEMENT"!

I dunno Dave...everytime I fly bye KIN it looks like a BIG slab of CONCRETE !!! h34r: :lol:

Hey! KIN does have a mini-high in addition to the con crete slab with a bit of roof over part of it

 

[railiner]

My least favorite large station is the old IC station in Memphis, mainly because it was so decrepit the last time I was there, many years ago.

You need to see it now; you probably wouldn't recognize the place...now we need to get Birmingham the same face lift

They fixed it up? That would be great news. Did you ever see that Jim Jarmusch film from 1989 "Mystery Train"? It was filmed in some old station in Memphis, I figured it must have been the IC station, but it could have been another.

I was at that station myself, and it was in a very sorry state when I was there.

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

My least favorite large station is the old IC station in Memphis, mainly because it was so decrepit the last time I was there, many years ago.

You need to see it now; you probably wouldn't recognize the place...now we need to get Birmingham the same face lift

They fixed it up? That would be great news. Did you ever see that Jim Jarmusch film from 1989 "Mystery Train"? It was filmed in some old station in Memphis, I figured it must have been the IC station, but it could have been another.

I was at that station myself, and it was in a very sorry state when I was there.

Way too late for a 1989 movie, but, for the historical record, there used to be two stations in Memphis.

One, Union Station, was torn down around the time Amtrak came into being. Amtrak never used it.

The station being referred to as the Illinois Central Station was originally known as the Central Station. It is th Amtrak station today. And I seem to recall there was some kind of problem a few years back and the Amtrak trains had to be boarded at different places. In any case, that is not what I mean by two stations in Memphis. There really were two distinct stations before Amtrak,about half a mile from each other

Several railroads served each station,though certainly IC was the biggie at Central Station.

George Harris, of this forum, could probably fine tune the above as to actual dates, etc.