Railway Passenger Terminals

RAILWAY PASSENGER TERMINALS Most large passenger stations are popularly referred to as "ter minals," even though, strictly speaking, they actually are not ter minals, that is, the end or terminus of the railroad. Specifically, a passenger station consists of the group of tracks, platforms, build ings, etc., which furnish the means of contact between the railroad and the public for the purposes of travel. Where more than one railroad is so served the term "union station" is often used. In addition to the building for the waiting room and other station facilities, the platforms also are housed. This housing in many earlier stations was a high shed covering both tracks and plat forms. Later this type was practically abandoned in favour of a low shed over each platform. Many large passenger stations are constructed in combination with office buildings or hotels—an arrangement which increases the station's concession business.

Classification into Types.

The types resulting from the arrangement of the tracks and from the manner of operation or working are as follows :—Through type is that where the tracks and trains run and are operated through the station to points beyond. Most stations are of this type. Stub type is that where the tracks terminate in or near the station. Loop.—At stations which would be normally of the stub type, a loop arrangement of one or more tracks is sometimes made, thus permitting a train, by running around the loop either before or after entering the sta tion, to move forward at all times. This operation results in the conversion of the stub type into the through type, in principle, so that suburban or other trains carrying passengers only, can pro ceed through the station with the same despatch that would obtain in a normal through station. But for through or long dis tance trains made up of passenger cars and cars carrying other kinds of traffic, it is found that the advantages of the train being moved in one direction are largely offset by the delay occasioned in handling the traffic other than passengers (mail and express) on the platforms and in shifting and classifying the cars containing the non-passenger traffic. Composite.—As most stations where the

loop principle is applied must handle a mixture of suburban and through traffic, the composite type which is a combination of the stub and through, is used. The suburban part of the traffic is handled around the loop and the through traffic largely on stub tracks. Where suburban and through traffic are handled together, and the suburban business is large, there is a tendency to handicap seriously the through traffic; this fact suggests the desirability of their segregation either in the same or separate stations.

Types resulting from the topography or the relative levels of the track and streets, are : Single Level.—This type, representa tive of the early stations built when low costs were vital and grade crossings permissible, has the tracks and adjoining streets at the same level. Double Level.—This type has the tracks and adjoining streets at different levels. The gradual elimination of grade crossings increases the number of this type. The better ar rangement is afforded with the streets below rather than above the track level. Multi-level.—The multi-level type is a combination of three or more levels and usually results either from the topog raphy or from the area available being limited by physical con ditions or high land values. This type lends itself to the segrega tion of suburban traffic.

The types based on the arrangement of the principal station facilities are :—Waiting Room Type.—A general waiting room is made the focus of the station traffic, the major facilities opening therefrom. Concourse Type.—A general concourse is made the focus of the station traffic and facilities, the ticket offices, train gates and major facilities opening therefrom. Composite Type.— A service lobby is provided for sale of tickets, checking baggage, etc., with waiting rooms and passenger train concourse separate therefrom.