PlacesPages: Portland Places: Union Station

I originally posted the PORTLAND PLACES: Union Station page on my old website on May 21, 2008, and last updated it on May 16, 2010.

Union Station on August 19, 2007

Portland's Union Station is one of the oldest railroad passenger stations in the United States and has remained in continuous operation since it opened in 1896. It continues to serve Amtrak trains today.

Union Station on May 27, 2007

This page includes links to historical photographs from the Oregon Historical Society, the Salem Public Library's Oregon Historic Photograph Collections, the University of Washington Library's Digital Collections, Multnomah County Genweb, Postcard Views of Southern Pacific's Shasta Route, the Amtrak Photo Archive, RailPictures.Net and RRPictureArchives.net. The historical photographs on this page are displayed at Union Station and were photographed there.

Union Station Yards & Switch Tower, Pre-1914
University of Oregon #P2654

Portland Union Station was conceived in the mid-1880s by Henry Villard, president of the Northern Pacific Railway when it reached Portland in 1883. An early design would have been the largest railroad station in the world.

Main Entrance of Union Station, Circa 1915
Oregon Historical Society #17468

This more modest Richardsonian Romanesque proposal was designed by the Boston/Kansas City architectural firm of Van Brunt & Howe.

Front View of Union Station, Date Unknown
Wesley Andrews Collection, Oregon Historical Society #OH17263

The station was built by the Northern Pacific Terminal Co., beginning in 1890. It opened as Grand Central Station on February 14, 1896.

Union Station on June 10, 2007

As other railroads started using the station, it became known as Union Station.

Union Station on June 10, 2007

In the 1920s, the depot served five railroads and over 120 arrivals and departures a day.

Union Station on June 10, 2007

The 150-foot tower's Seth Thomas clock, made in Thomaston, Connecticut in 1895, features 14 foot diameter opalescent glass faces with bronze hands, a 14 foot pendulum and 1,000 pounds of counterweight that drops almost 50 feet over 7 days.

Union Station on May 27, 2007

The neon "UNION STATION GO BY TRAIN" signs, added in 1948 & turned off in 1971; were restored in 1985 by the efforts of Rich Carlson.

Union Station on June 10, 2007

The following group of pictures showing the lighted neon signs on the clock tower were taken on the evening of October 20, 2009.

Union Station on October 20, 2009

Union Station on August 19, 2007

Union Station is the oldest major railroad passenger terminal on the West Coast and is one of the oldest continuously operating railroad passenger stations in the United States.

Union Station on June 7, 2009

Union Station was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It has been owned by the Portland Development Commission since 1987.

Portland Terminal Railroad Company Herald on June 7, 2009

Though the depot itself is now owned by the Portland Development Commission, the tracks through Union Station are owned and maintained by the successor of the Northern Pacific Terminal Company: the Portland Terminal Railroad Company, whose current herald is shown here.

Streetcar Lofts on August 19, 2007

The neon "GO BY TRAIN" signs on Union Station's Clock Tower inspired this similar "GO BY STREETCAR" sign at the Streetcar Lofts Condominiums, which opened in 2001 at 11th & Lovejoy on the new Portland Streetcar route, just a few blocks west of Union Station.

Streetcar Lofts on August 19, 2007

Though passenger train service has decreased dramatically since Union Station's heyday, there are still a number of trains arriving and departing from Union Station throughout the day. Union Station is served by Amtrak's Coast Starlight, Empire Builder and Cascades service.

The Coast Starlight is a daily train operating between Seattle, Washington and Los Angeles, California. The Empire Builder is a daily train operating between Chicago, Illinois and Portland, Oregon or Seattle, Washington. At Spokane, Washington, the westbound Empire Builder splits in half, with part going to Seattle and part going to Portland. The eastbound Empire Builder reverses the process, with separate trains leaving Portland and Seattle and joining together at Spokane. Both trains use double-deck Superliner equipment and feature both coach and sleeping car accommodations dining cars and Sightseer Lounge Cars. (On the Empire Builder, the Sightseer Lounge does not operate between Spokane and Seattle and the Dining Car does not operate between Spokane & Portland.) The Coast Starlight includes an additional Pacific Parlour lounge car for sleeping car passengers only.

Amtrak's Cascades service operates several times a day between Vancouver, British Columbia and Eugene, Oregon. The trains are low-slung Talgo trains of a Spanish design assembled in the United States. The trains have a special suspension system that allows the train cars to lean slightly into curves and travel safely at higher speeds. The Cascades trains offer Coach Class and Business Class accommodations and feature a Bistro Car and a Dining Car.

The following schedule lists the arrivals and departures at Portland's Union Station on a typical day in 2008 in chronological order. The times are the scheduled times listed in Amtrak's Spring-Summer 2008 System Timetable. (The schedules have since changed; visit Amtrak’s website for current information.) Some of these trains had extra time built into their schedules and occasionally arrived somewhat earlier than scheduled. Sometimes trains also ran late, and arrived and/or departed later than scheduled. The direction refers to which direction the train passes through Union Station. In the case of the Empire Builder, which is an east-west train, #27 is westbound and #28 is eastbound.

Time	Action	Direction	No.	Name
8:05	Arrival	Northbound	500	Cascades
8:30	Departure	Northbound	500	Cascades
10:10	Arrival	Southbound	27	Empire Builder
11:00	Arrival	Southbound	501	Cascades
11:35	Arrival	Northbound	504	Cascades
12:15	Departure	Northbound	504	Cascades
13:50	Arrival	Southbound	11	Coast Starlight
14:25	Departure	Southbound	11	Coast Starlight
14:50	Departure	Northbound	516	Cascades
15:00	Arrival	Southbound	513	Cascades
15:40	Arrival	Northbound	14	Coast Starlight
16:20	Departure	Northbound	14	Coast Starlight
16:45	Departure	Northbound	28	Empire Builder
17:50	Arrival	Southbound	507	Cascades
18:15	Departure	Southbound	507	Cascades
18:15	Departure	Northbound	508	Cascades
21:00	Arrival	Southbound	509	Cascades
21:10	Departure	Southbound	509	Cascades

The chart below is a graphical representation of the above schedule showing when trains were at Union Station. The red bar is the Empire Builder, blue bars are the Coast Starlight & green bars are Cascades trains. (As with the schedule above, this information is no longer accurate; visit Amtrak’s website for current schedule information.)

Note that the Empire Builder and Cascades trains had layovers in Portland that lasted several hours, so the trains could be found at Union Station for long periods in the middle of the day.

Amtrak Oregon Thruway Bus on August 19, 2007

In addition to trains, Union Station is also served by Amtrak's Thruway bus service, which connects to communities that do not have direct Amtrak rail service. This bus, #232, is owned by Oregon Coachways and is decorated with a special paint scheme depicting a Cascades Talgo Train.

Plaque at Union Station on May 27, 2007

A historical plaque is mounted on the exterior of Union Station near the main entrance. It was placed by the National Railway Historical Society's Historic Plaque Commission in 1996.

PORTLAND UNION STATION
HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORICAL PLACES BY THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Opened on February 14, 1896, Union Station is one of the oldest
continuously-operated railroad passenger stations in the
United States. The building was designed by the Boston/Kansas
City architectural firm of Van Brunt & Howe and is owned by
the Portland Development Commission.

NATIONAL RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Historic Plaque Commission
1996

Union Station Main Concourse on May 27, 2007

The main concourse was renovated in the 1930s by Pietro Belluschi.

Union Station Main Concourse on May 27, 2007

The walls and floor are covered with travertine marble, giving the waiting area an Art Deco look.

Union Station Main Concourse on May 27, 2007

Historical Photo:
News Stand (now Ticket Counter) (shastaroute.railfan.net/)

South Wing of Union Station on May 10, 2008

The south wing retains more of the station's original Victorian Renaissance Revival architecture.

South Wing of Union Station on May 10, 2008

Part of the 1930s renovation of the main concourse included a built-in clock in the wall at each end.

Union Station Interior Clock on May 10, 2008

As of 2008, the clock above the ticket counter at the west end of the waiting room was no longer functional and has lost its hands, but the one above the doors to the platform still tells the time.

Union Station Interior Clock on May 10, 2008

By May 2009, both clocks were again functional.

Neon Sign inside Union Station on May 10, 2008

The main waiting room features neon directional signs that may have been installed when the interior was renovated, but more likely were added in 1948 with the neon signs on the clock tower.

Neon Signs inside Union Station on May 10, 2008

The neon signs point the way to the Baggage Department, the Telephones, Railway Media, and the Restrooms.

Neon Signs inside Union Station on May 10, 2008

The sign for Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge for sleeping car passengers is a more recent addition.

Oil Painting by J. Craig Thorpe at Union Station on May 10, 2008

This small oil painting is on display in Union Station's main concourse. It was painted by J. Craig Thorpe in 1996 in honor of Union Station's 100th Anniversary. The plaque beneath the painting reads as follows:

Portland Union Station
Oil Painting by J. Craig Thorpe © 1996

This painting was commissioned by Rail Sensation Events, Inc. (RSE, Inc.), a non-profit, volunteer organization, for the 1996 centennial celebration of Portland Union Station. RSE, Inc. worked with AORTA¹, PNWC-NRHS² and PRPA³ to produce events celebrating the past, present and future of rail transportation.

This painting was donated by these organizations to the City of Portland in 2003 for permanent display at the station for public enjoyment. This gift celebrates the city's and the Pacific Northwest's success in preserving and enhancing rail transportation and the importance of citizen's involvement in that accomplishment. This gift is also made in memory of Rich Carlson (1929-2002), a long-time leader in the above citizen groups.

The building and shelters are on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. The platform shelters were built in 1904 and were saved from demolition in 1990 by the same citizen groups. The neon "Go by Train" signs were added in 1948 and are both historically significant and effective in attracting attention to this architectural gem. In 1985, Rich Carlson led a successful citizen effort to restore the neon signs (which had been turned off in 1971).

The rail equipment shown in the painting represents the railroads or their successors operating at the station during its first century: Baldwin steam locomotive SP&S 700, UP's "City of Portland" observation car, Amtrak's "Coast Starlight" with "Genesis" diesel-electric locomotive and Lima steam locomotive SP 4449. Both steam engines are now owned by the City of Portland and are maintained and operated, respectively, by PRPA and Friends of the 4449.

The station was purchased from the railroads by the Portland Development Commission in 1987 and has been extensively refurbished. The station is now operated by the City of Portland, which is continuing to renovate it, with major help from donations and volunteer efforts.

¹ AORTA, Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates
² PNWC-NRHS, Pacific Northwest Chapter - National Railway Historical Society
³ PRPA, Pacific Railroad Preservation Association

Empire Builder Display at Union Station on May 10, 2008

Amtrak's Empire Builder, a continuation of the Great Northern Railway's Empire Builder, celebrated its 75th anniversary on June 11, 2004. Two large displays depict Great Northern E7 locomotive #502.

Empire Builder Display at Union Station on May 10, 2008

The color display is a colorized version of the black & white photo used in the other display.

Union Station Vestibule on May 10, 2008

This view shows the vestibule between the concourse and the platforms. An antique baggage wagon is on display.

Neon Sign on Union Station Platform on May 10, 2008

Outside on the platforms, this neon sign indicates the entrance to the station concourse.

Union Station Platforms on May 10, 2008

The shelters over the passenger platforms were built in 1904. They were saved from demolition in 1990.

Union Station Platform Close Clearance Sign on October 29, 2011

The ends of the platform shelters feature vintage “Close Clearance” signs like the one pictured here. They were originally lighted but don’t seem to be operational anymore.

Amtrak’s Coast Starlight pulling into Union Station on May 10, 2008

This video shows the southbound Coast Starlight pulling into Union Station on May 10, 2008.

Amtrak P42DC #73 at Union Station on May 10, 2008

Amtrak P42DC #73 is waiting with the Portland Section of the eastbound Empire Builder, which isn't scheduled to depart until later in the day.

Union Station Platform on May 10, 2008

This view down the platform shows a Cascades Talgo train on the left and Superliner cars of the Portland Section of the Empire Builder on the right.

Union Station Clock Tower on May 10, 2008

The Union Station Clock Tower peeks through between the platform shelter and the Cascades Talgo train.

Amtrak P42DC #169 at Union Station on May 9, 2009

On another day, P42DC #169 departs Union Station with the Portland Section of the eastbound Empire Builder.

Amtrak Cascades trains at Union Station on May 9, 2009

Two Cascades Talgo trains sit side-by-side on Tracks 2 and 3. The one on the right has a typical F59PHI while the one on the left has a P42DC.

Union Station on May 27, 2007

Amtrak Trains at Union Station on May 27, 2007

These views from the pedestrian bridge show the northbound Coast Starlight, southbound Cascades 507 and northbound Cascades 508.

Union Station on May 10, 2008

These views show the southbound Coast Starlight, the northbound Portland Section of the Empire Builder, a Cascades Talgo Train and extra Superliner coaches.

Amtrak Trains at Union Station on May 10, 2008

Amtrak F59PHI #470 at Union Station on May 27, 2007

Train 507, a southbound Cascades, is shown departing Union Station from the pedestrian bridge.

Amtrak NPCU #90340 at Union Station on May 27, 2007

F59PHI #470 leads the train while NPCU #90340 brings up the rear.

Amtrak Coach #34133 at Union Station on August 19, 2007

Amtrak #34133 is a Superliner II Coach. On the roof are the words "FOR THE TWENTY." This car was part of a special train for Bill Clinton's Presidential Campaign, and a campaign slogan was spelled out on the rooftop of the train's cars. The full slogan was "Clinton: On the right track for the twenty first century," or something similar.

Union Station on August 19, 2007

Here are some pictures of the Coast Starlight stopped at Union Station.

Union Station on August 19, 2007

Shown here are Pacific Parlour Car #39974 and Superliner I Coach #34046.

Union Station on August 19, 2007

Union Station on June 7, 2009

Other Starlights on other days in 2009, with Pacific Parlour Car #39975 Willamette Valley in a new paint scheme and Superliner II Sightseer Lounge #33037 still remaining in an older one.

Union Station on October 23, 2009

Union Station on May 10, 2008

At the south end of Union Station are F59PHI #469 with a Cascades Talgo Train and P42DC #119 with the southbound Coast Starlight.

Amtrak P42DC #119 at Union Station on May 10, 2008

Amtrak’s Coast Starlight at Union Station on August 19, 2007

Amtrak P32-8BWH #505 & F59PHI #470 made for an unusual motive power consist on this southbound Coast Starlight.

Amtrak’s Coast Starlight at Union Station on May 9, 2009

These photos show another southbound Coast Starlight consist, this one featuring deadheading Cascades F59PHI #467.

Amtrak P42DC #90 at Union Station on May 9, 2009

Amtrak P42DC #55 at Union Station on May 9, 2009

Amtrak F59PHI #467 at Union Station on May 9, 2009

Amtrak P42DC #199 at Union Station on June 7, 2009

Here is another southbound Coast Starlight, shown departing from the south end of Union Station.

Amtrak P42DC #199 at Union Station on June 7, 2009

VC Tower on August 19, 2007

VC Tower, at the south end of Union Station, replaced a wooden interlocking tower here around 1914.

VC Tower on May 9, 2009

VC Tower was one of the last operating interlocking towers in the United States when it closed on November 5, 1997.

VC Tower on May 8, 2010

The historic tower was reused to house automated electronic controls for the new Light Rail line in the Portland Transit Mall.

VC Tower on May 8, 2010

Here are some more views of VC Tower on May 8, 2010, following the completion and opening of the Transit Mall.

VC Tower on May 8, 2010

See New Life for Old Train Control Tower from PortlandMall.org now at the Internet Archive and Light Rail Gives Tower Second Life from the Portland Tribune.

Light Rail Construction at Union Station on May 10, 2008

Here are the tracks of the new light rail line to the Portland Transit Mall adjacent to Union Station, under construction on May 10, 2008.