When I set out to redesign my model railroad, I faced a significant challenge: fitting a passenger station into the limited space I had available. Determined to find a solution, I delved into the world of stub-end stations, also known as terminus stations, to seek inspiration. This journey led me to explore 16 unique stub-end stations across North America, ranging from modest stops to bustling hubs. In this blog post, I’ll share my findings and how they have shaped the direction of my new layout.
Understanding Through Stations vs. Stub-End Stations
Before diving into the stub-end stations, it’s essential to understand the difference between through stations and stub-end stations.
Through Stations: These stations allow passenger trains to come and go in either direction without needing to turn around. They’re common in major transit hubs like Toronto’s Union Station, New York’s Penn Station, and Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station. However, they require a lot of space, which isn’t always feasible for model railroads.
Stub-End Stations: Also known as terminus stations, these require trains to pull in and out from the same direction, making them ideal for space-constrained layouts. They are perfect for model railroads because they occupy less space while still offering operational complexity.
Train Operations at Stub-End Stations
In stub-end stations, train operations vary significantly between push-pull trains and traditional passenger trains:
- Push-Pull Trains: These have a locomotive and a control cab car, allowing them to travel in both directions without turning around. Examples include GO Transit and Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor.
- Traditional Passenger Trains: Trains like VIA Rail’s Canadian need to turn the locomotive and parts of the consist, typically using a wye track—a triangular setup that enables reversing direction.
The 18 Unique Stub-End Stations
Exploring real-world examples was crucial for designing my layout. Here’s a look at the 18 stub-end stations that inspired me:
1. Riverside Downtown Station (Riverside, CA)
Opened in 1993, this station serves as a key commuter hub in California’s Inland Empire with just one stub-end platform. It handles several trains daily, serving around 5,161 passengers on weekdays.
2. Pittsburgh Union Station (Pittsburgh, PA)
Also known as Penn Station, this 1903 Beaux-Arts landmark has two stub-end platforms. It primarily serves Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian route, connecting Pittsburgh to the East Coast.
3. Gare du Palais (Quebec City, QC)
Built in 1915, this station resembles Quebec’s iconic Château Frontenac. With two stub-end platforms, it serves VIA Rail’s Quebec City-Windsor Corridor and handles up to 10 trains daily.
4. Halifax Railway Station (Halifax, NS)
Opened in 1928, it’s the eastern terminus for transcontinental rail travel in Canada. The station features two stub-end platforms and serves VIA Rail’s Ocean route, connecting Halifax to Montreal.
5. Seattle King Street Station (Seattle, WA)
This historic 1906 station features three stub-end platforms and serves Amtrak’s Cascades, Empire Builder, and Coast Starlight routes, connecting Seattle to key destinations like Portland, Vancouver, and Chicago.
6. San Francisco 4th and King Street Station (San Francisco, CA)
Opened in 1914, this bustling commuter hub has six stub-end platforms and is the northern terminus of Caltrain, serving around 15,427 weekday passengers.
7. Vancouver Pacific Central Station (Vancouver, BC)
Opened in 1919, this station has seven stub-end platforms and serves VIA Rail’s The Canadian and Amtrak’s Cascades, connecting Vancouver with destinations across Canada and the U.S.
8. Denver Union Station (Denver, CO)
First opened in 1881 and redesigned in 1914, this station features eight stub-end platforms and serves Amtrak’s California Zephyr, regional rail, and bus lines.
9. Long Island City Station (Queens, NY)
One of the oldest in the Long Island Rail Road network, this 1854 station features nine stub-end tracks and primarily serves diesel-powered trains on the Hunterspoint Avenue and Oyster Bay branches.
10. North Station (Boston, MA)
Opened in 1893, this station features ten stub-end platforms and serves both MBTA Commuter Rail and Amtrak’s Downeaster service, handling approximately 50,000 passengers daily.
11. Montreal Central Station (Montreal, QC)
Opened in 1943, it’s Canada’s second-busiest train station, handling nearly 11 million passengers annually. The station offers easy access to the Underground City and serves as a hub for the new Réseau express métropolitain (REM).
12. Union Station (Los Angeles, CA)
Opened in 1939, this is the largest passenger rail terminal in the Western United States. With 12 stub-end platforms, it handles around 110,000 passengers daily.
13. South Station (Boston, MA)
Boston’s largest transportation hub, opened in 1899, features 13 stub-end platforms and handles around 128,000 passengers on an average weekday.
14. Ogilvie Transportation Center (Chicago, IL)
Originally opened in 1911, this station serves as the terminus for all three of Metra’s Union Pacific lines. With 16 stub-end platforms, it handles approximately 100,000 daily riders.
15. Hoboken Terminal (Hoboken, NJ)
Opened in 1907, this major transportation hub for NJ Transit features 18 stub-end platforms and serves around 50,000 passengers daily.
16. Washington Union Station (Washington, D.C.)
Opened in 1907, this iconic station with 20 stub-end platforms handles around 100,000 visitors daily, serving Amtrak, MARC, VRE, and various bus services.
Bringing It All Together
Exploring these 18 unique stub-end stations has been instrumental in shaping my new model railroad layout. Each station offers distinct architectural features, operational nuances, and historical contexts that provide a wealth of inspiration. By studying these real-world examples, I’ve gained insights into efficient space utilization, aesthetic design, and operational authenticity.
Why Stub-End Stations Are Perfect for Model Railroads
- Space Efficiency: They require less space compared to through stations, making them ideal for home layouts.
- Operational Interest: They introduce operational challenges like turning locomotives and rearranging consists, adding depth to your model operations.
- Design Variety: The diversity of stub-end stations allows for creative freedom in designing a station that fits your theme and space.
Join Me on This Journey
I’m excited to continue sharing how these inspirations come to life in my model railroad. The process of integrating these real-world elements into a miniature landscape is both challenging and rewarding. If you’re a fellow hobbyist or simply intrigued by the world of railways, I’d love for you to follow along as the project unfolds.
Check Out the Video
For a more immersive experience, including visuals of these stunning stub-end stations and a closer look at how they’re influencing my model railroad, be sure to watch the accompanying video:
