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Saturday, October 6, 2012

REVISITED photographs of abandoned railway stations

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, and further afield.

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

Falling apart: Michigan Central Depot, pictured, has been empty since 1988
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 another.
But railroads have fallen from their previous glory days as other forms of transportation such as air travel have come to the fore.

One of the most stunning casualties of this cultural shift is the ghost town-like Michigan Central Train Station in Detroit.

Gutted: Michigan Central Depot is bare and unkempt inside
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
Redlands: The abandoned station in Redlands, Santa Fe, was built in 1910, but is still in fairly good condition

Spooky: This former railway station in Galacia, Spain, has been left to fall to pieces
Spooky: This former railway station in Galacia, Spain, has been left to fall to pieces

Impressive: The small Spanish town of Cantranc Estacion is known for its decrepit train station
Impressive: The small Spanish town of Cantranc Estacion is known for its decrepit train station
Historic: Anhalter Bahnhof Station in Berlin was opened in 1841
Historic: Anhalter Bahnhof Station in Berlin was opened in 1841


Subway: A subway station underneath New York's City Hall is now a 'ghost' terminal having been abandoned
Subway: A subway station underneath New York's City Hall is now a 'ghost' terminal having been abandoned

Beautiful: This station in Abkhazia, Spain, has been left to fall to pieces

California: The interesting West Oakland 16th Street Station sits empty

Bare: The beautiful beams of the West Oakland 16th Street Station in California are still on show
Bare: The beautiful beams of the West Oakland 16th Street Station in California are still on show

Arch window: The Oakland station's stunning arched windows are still in place
Arch window: The Oakland station's stunning arched windows are still in place

Green: This beautifully derelict train station is located near Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New Jersey
Green: This beautifully derelict train station is located near Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New Jersey

Casualty: The Union Station in Gary, Indiana, was built in 1910, just four years after the city was founded but now sits unoccupied
Casualty: The Union Station in Gary, Indiana, was built in 1910, just four years after the city was founded but now sits unoccupied


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2180156/Spectacular-photographs-abandoned-railway-stations-left-fall-pieces-world.html#ixzz28YXbCAFE

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