Five Notable Transit Hubs to Check Out
In the bustling city of Mumbai, India, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (often still referred to as VT) serves as the main commuter hub, offering a fusion of Italianate Gothic Revival architecture and traditional Indian elements, such as domes, turrets, and pointed arches. This grand structure often presents visitors with their first impression of the city.
Across the Pacific Ocean in Los Angeles, Union Station bears a striking resemblance to the Christian missions that opened California to settlers. The station's colonnade, each column weighing a hefty 75 tons and rising to 40 feet, is a testament to its impressive design. The names of cities served by the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Grand Trunk Railway are displayed on the north and south walls, adding to its historical charm.
Union Station has become an integral part of the city's subway system, but it continues to play a role in everyday life beyond transportation. It is available for hire for films, TV series, weddings, and concerts, showcasing its enduring relevance in Hollywood.
In Toronto, Canada, Union Station occupies an entire city block, its facade made of Indiana and Queenston limestone, creating a vast and magnificent appearance. The inside walls of the lobby are fashioned in Zumbro (fossilized) stone, while the splendidly tiled ceiling arches to avoid dark shadows.
Meanwhile, in Vladivostok, Russia, the station serves as the end of the line for the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Its faux-17th-century facade is a near replica of Yaroslavsky station in Moscow, resembling a palace fit for a tsar rather than a utilitarian terminus. The panel of bright mosaic tiles, which once adorned the station's facade, was unfortunately destroyed by the Soviets. However, the outside of the station was painstakingly restored in 1994, and the grand interior was restored two years later in 1996.
Lastly, Grand Central Terminal in New York City, often referred to as Grand Central Station, boasts a clock made of Tiffany glass, surrounded by sculpted figures of Minerva, Hercules, and Mercury. The ceiling was painted in 1912 and depicts an astronomical sky.
These iconic train stations around the world stand as testaments to the beauty and grandeur of architectural design, each with its unique history and charm.
