Washington Union Station, Central railway station in Northwest Washington, D.C., United States.
Washington Union Station is a central railway station in Northwest Washington, D.C., combining multiple train services and urban transit under a single complex. The entrance hall displays high vaulted ceilings in white marble, while the long facade on Massachusetts Avenue emphasizes the width of the entire building.
The station opened on New Year's Day in 1908 after architect Daniel Burnham submitted the design as part of a citywide modernization campaign. Decades later, extensive renovations adapted the building to meet contemporary passenger needs.
The name refers to the consolidation of several railroad lines under one roof, a common concept in American cities of that era. Travelers today use the hall as a meeting point and transit space, with arcades and shops connecting the historic room to contemporary urban life.
The main entrance sits directly on Massachusetts Avenue, making orientation straightforward, while the platforms and metro access are located in the rear section of the building. Those arriving with heavy luggage should use the elevators and ramps distributed throughout the complex.
During the Second World War, up to 200,000 people passed through the building in a single day, pushing the platforms and waiting areas to their limits. This extraordinary use left marks on the structure that later required comprehensive renewal.
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