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Denver Union Station, Travel by Train

Purely on aesthetics Denver Union Station is one of the most appealing and interesting railroad stations in the country. While part of this is due to the structure’s beautiful Beaux-Arts, Neoclassical design the other part is the station’s impressive and distinctive arched neon-lit sign, Union Station, Travel by Train. Thankfully, Denver Union Station has had quite a happy and productive life (unlike some of its other counterparts across the country) and has been in continual use since it opened in 1914. Even better, the station’s future looks very bright as the City of Denver begins its major commuter rail project throughout the city (which the station will be a very important part of).

The station that is so well known today is not actually the original, which was destroyed by fire, although interestingly today’s building was partially constructed from the rubble of the original. Denver Union Station was designed by architects Taylor, Van Brundt & Howe and was completed in 1914. One of the building’s more interesting distinctive features, at least regarding rail operations, is that it was one of the few stations still standing that served both standard and narrow gauge trains as well as interurban, trolley service.

During the station’s heyday which lasted from the time of its opening in 1914 to roughly 1950 it served some eighty daily passenger trains of the Union Pacific; Denver & Rio Grande Western; Burlington; Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific; and Santa Fe. It was the 1950s that Denver Union Station’s decline (as with almost all other railroad stations nationwide) as a major rail hub took place and by the 1970s few trains still called there including the famous California Zephyr.

Other trains may have been more luxurious and for the well-to-do but none could compare to what the California Zephyr offered in the way of friendly service and breathtaking scenery. Operated jointly by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad (the Burlington Route), Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, and Western Pacific the train traveled through some of the most spectacular scenery in the country and it was not surprising that it continued to do well even when train travel by the 1960s and 1970s was waning with the public.

The train would eventually be operated only by the Rio Grande (which was then renamed as the Rio Grande Zephyr) and after it relinquished the train to Amtrak in the 1980s it was not only retained but also returned to its original name and today the CZ remains one of the most popular long distance trains in the country.

Rail service, though, would not cease altogether. After Amtrak took over the station’s passenger operations following its creation in 1971 it retained service there including the Rio Grande Zephyr (the follow-up to the CZ), which it began to oversee in the 1980s (following the Rio Grande’s exit altogether from passenger operations).

Today, while a few of the station’s most decorative pieces have been removed including chandeliers, candelabras, and a large welcome-arch it mostly remains intact and just as it appeared following its opening. The station also remains quite active with all floors filled with offices, business, or entertainment including the area immediately surrounding the building, which is quite prominent itself.

Today, in the 21st century, Denver Union Station is slated by the City of Denver as a major hub for mulimodal transportation, including commuter rail which is to be expanded throughout the local area.

For more reading about railroad stations you might want to consider a copy of Railroad Stations from author Brian Solomon. While the book is just a very general overview of some of the great stations that once stood in this country it is quite good with lots of historical photographs, including that of Grand Central Terminal and the late Pennsylvania Station (it also gives a history of the thousands of small depots that existed in most communities). All in all if you’re interested in stations and depots you’re sure to enjoy Mr. Solomon’s book on the subject.

Also, for an in-depth publication about Denver Union Station consider the book Denver's Railroads: The Story of Union Station and the Railroads of Denver from author Kenton Forrest. The book details the station from its earliest beginnings through the end of the "Golden Age" of passenger rail travel. If you have any interest in the station and the railroads that once served Denver you should certainly enjoy the book. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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