Abandoned Railway Stations Crumble and Decay

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Once bustling transport hubs sending countless commuters in all directions, scores of spectacular railway stations now stand empty, having been left to fall to pieces as train travel in America, and around the world, declined.

These breath-taking photographs capture the ruins of the former railroad culture scattered across the United States.

But despite the buildings' gutted interiors, smashed windows and crumbling features, the beautiful often century-old architecture shines.

Falling apart: Michigan Central Depot, pictured, has been empty since 1988

 The installation of train tracks across America was a momentous occasion that made commercial trade and passenger travel possible from one coast to coast.

Sadly railroads have fallen from their glory days as modern forms of transportation including air travel have  evolved.

Most stunning of this cultural casualties is the ghost town of Michigan Central Train Station in Detroit.

Gutted: Michigan Central Depot is bare and unkempt inside

 The impressive structure, built almost 100 years ago in 1913, has been abandoned since 1988. It is now excessively vandalised and patrolled.

Another sad victim of the dwindling use of railroads is the Union Station in Gary, Indiana, which was built in 1910, just four years after the city was founded. It sits unoccupied and is slowly falling into greater ruin.

But it is not just in the U.S. that train travel was waned. Abandoned train tracks, tunnels and entire stations can be found around the globe, with these photographs capturing beautiful architecture in Spain and Germany left to fall apart.

Redlands: The abandoned station in Redlands, Santa Fe, was built in 1910, but is still in fairly good condition

And there is no reason for the abaondoment of historic structures.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2180156/Spectacular-photographs-abandoned-railway-stations-left-fall-pieces-world.html#ixzz21wwFTQbi