Union Station

[dfwcre8tive]

Here are some photos from the Preservation Dallas tour of Union Station last week. Architexas did a good job restoring what remaining elements were left while making a usable event space (the 1970s renovations did the most damage to upper levels).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dfwcre8tive/sets/72157624321920670/

[NThomas]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

[tamtagon]

Really liked the virtual tour. Now, just need to find a way to fill up the place with train passengers.

[sdub]

Thanks for posting the pictures. I didn't realize how the whole layout was predicated on an elevated connection to the tracks.

Some convention is in town today and they are using the hall there, as well as just about everywhere else downtown as far as I could tell. They had people staying somewhere north of Bush as they had already packed the train when I got on. Must be a big deal.

[electricron]

Thanks for posting the pictures. I didn't realize how the whole layout was predicated on an elevated connection to the tracks.

Here's an 1923 era aerial photo of downtown Dallas with a good view of Union Station and its elevated walkway.
http://www.dealey.org/Photo3-1923.jpg
Source: http://www.dealey.org/dallash10.htm

And yes, that's the Trinity River at the bottom of the photo long before the floodway was built.

[Speedbump Joey]

That is an awesome photo.

[dfwcre8tive]

Thanks for posting the pictures. I didn't realize how the whole layout was predicated on an elevated connection to the tracks.

Some convention is in town today and they are using the hall there, as well as just about everywhere else downtown as far as I could tell. They had people staying somewhere north of Bush as they had already packed the train when I got on. Must be a big deal.

It was an interesting tour. I had never been upstairs and was always unimpressed with the station's lower levels (and why not? They were never anything more than baggage areas and check-in facilities). The upper level showed how travel hasn't changed all the much over the years... space for restaurants, lounges, shops, and waiting rooms were set up like they are in airports of today. This recent round of restoration uncovered a lot of features that had been forgotten over the years. Perhaps someday in the future some of those areas will be reclaimed for public use if rail transportation has a revival.

[vman]

Wow. I admit, I've only walked through Union Station probably twice years ago, and I remember how I thought it was plain and dull. After seeing those pics, it's worth another visit.

[msutton]

Man... I hope one-day we see a full-scale restoration, including more platforms at the station. Is that even possible with the layout of the surrounding area?

[electricron]

The only way I foresee more tracks at today's Union station is to remove the parking/drive behind Union Station.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2593380341_890337f5a1.jpg

That would add an additional two tracks and one platform, giving Union Station a total of 7 station tracks and four platforms.

new platform
new track 1
new track 2
platform
light rail track 1
light rail track 2
platform
commuter rail rail 1
commuter rail track 2
platform
amtrak track 1
There's also a two more freight tracks present at Union station, but neither has access to a platform.

Looking at the 1923 photo, I count just 4 platforms and there's not enough resolution for me to accurately count the number of tracks.

I don't think the City will want to remove the parking/drive behind Union Station today.

[mjblazin]

If you removed the parking, where would Wolfgang Puck park his truck? It's always there.

[dfwcre8tive]

From these pictures I count 9 tracks, 5 platforms. Remember, those stairs on the left at the back of the building once went down to the first side platform. Looks like there were a few other stub tracks to the side of the station too.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2549/3759268079_188aaa51ac_b.jpg

http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth28874/m1/1/high_res/

Union Station 1960s

http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/1/7/2/3172.1047835680.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/__VUiyFjcFJo/SqM4JZ99z4I/AAAAAAAABWk/N-LMGyvCZHM/s800/Dallas%20UTC%20ATSF4%201961.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/__VUiyFjcFJo/SqM4D2zsI4I/AAAAAAAABWY/YAM9b_fKdqQ/s720/Dallas%20UTC%20ASF1961.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/__VUiyFjcFJo/SXO0yv30IHI/AAAAAAAAAhw/fyfFJ07ckbA/s720/scan0012.jpg

This photo shows the long ramp that went to the underground tunnel (later replaced with the current elevators)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/__VUiyFjcFJo/SXkyXqTeslI/AAAAAAAAAwA/eskQIl0Ur2E/s512/scan0013.jpg

Then most of it was turned into parking lot in the 1970s:

http://www.railpixs.com/amt/Dallas_section_LoneStar_atDallas_Oct76a.jpg

http://www.trainweb.org/screamingeagle/other/garym/dallas-union_garym.jpg

http://www.railpixs.com/amt/Amtrak-TxEagle-DallasUnionSt-April90.jpg

Current layout:

http://pics4.city-data.com/cpicv/vfiles18036.jpg

[dfwcre8tive]

The only way I foresee more tracks at today's Union station is to remove the parking/drive behind Union Station.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2593380341_890337f5a1.jpg

That would add an additional two tracks and one platform, giving Union Station a total of 7 station tracks and four platforms.

new platform
new track 1
new track 2
platform
light rail track 1
light rail track 2
platform
commuter rail rail 1
commuter rail track 2
platform
amtrak track 1
There's also a two more freight tracks present at Union station, but neither has access to a platform.

Looking at the 1923 photo, I count just 4 platforms and there's not enough resolution for me to accurately count the number of tracks.

I don't think the City will want to remove the parking/drive behind Union Station today.

There's actually room for 4 additional tracks between the current LRT platforms and building. That would give a total of 9 tracks while still leaving the freight tracks untouched. Historically the tracks went right up to the back of the building (with the existing stairs going down to the side platform).

Here's what I think would be ideal for Union Station, long term.It would require some reposition but it would fit within the space. New approach bridges would need to be built at either end, though.

4 LRT tracks, 3 Commuter rail tracks, 2 high speed/intercity tracks. We know that streetcar from Oak Cliff will be running to Union Station, and Houston Street itself will be turned into 2-way operation soon. Creating a bus lane in front, a "kiss and ride"/taxi circle, and cafe/plaza with bicycle storage would help complete the station. Of course, the service dock at the Hyatt could be used to supply the station through the tunnel.

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/8540/union01.jpg


Alternatively, if the city didn't want to give up all the space to rail, a bus lane could remain for DART or intercity/Greyhound bus service at the first side platform.

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/7403/union02.jpg

[electricron]

I like the plan in your second photo better.
The problem with either plan is will Union Station ever need 4 tracks for light rail? I don't think so.
I think Union Station may need two more tracks for commuter rail, assuming all the Rail North Texas plans become a reality. It seems the commuter rail trains will terminate or originate at Union Station, and storage tracks for them will be needed at the station, at least very close. This will require moving the catenary wires for the new tracks closer to Union Station, so commuter trains could use the existing light rail tracks.
Or Union Station may need two tracks streetcars, assuming the streetcar lines are routed behind Union Station, which really isn't necessary, but could be done for better cross platform connectivity.
A HSR train will probably continue on to DFW Airport, if not all the way to Fort Worth. Therefore the existing Amtrak and/or commuter rail tracks should be a to handle them.

[dfwcre8tive]

I like the plan in your second photo better.
The problem with either plan is will Union Station ever need 4 tracks for light rail? I don't think so.
I think Union Station may need two more tracks for commuter rail, assuming all the Rail North Texas plans become a reality. It seems the commuter rail trains will terminate or originate at Union Station, and storage tracks for them will be needed at the station, at least very close. This will require moving the catenary wires for the new tracks closer to Union Station, so commuter trains could use the existing light rail tracks.
Or Union Station may need two tracks streetcars, assuming the streetcar lines are routed behind Union Station, which really isn't necessary, but could be done for better cross platform connectivity.
A HSR train will probably continue on to DFW Airport, if not all the way to Fort Worth. Therefore the existing Amtrak and/or commuter rail tracks should be a to handle them.

True, I just wanted to show what is possible; tracks will be designated as future demand warrants. It kind of surprised me how much can fit into that space now only occupied by one row of auto parking. Like you, I believe there will be more demand for commuter rail than LRT in the future as the region is slowly reconnected by rail.

Since Union Station will probably never be a terminus for high-speed/intercity rail, 2 tracks/1 platform should be sufficient for trains passing through to DFW Airport (thus little need to extend the other platforms).

But 2 new LRT tracks may be needed if MIG somehow convinces DART to run the D2 lines (Green/Orange) via Union Station. MIG recognizes Union Station's importance for the future of downtown Dallas, so hopefully the new Downtown Dallas 360 Plan encourages infrastructure improvements.

[tamtagon]

But 2 new LRT tracks may be needed if MIG somehow convinces DART to run the D2 lines (Green/Orange) via Union Station.

That's the way I think it should be. From Union Stations, commuter trains deliver people to streetcars for immediate downtown access and Light Rail reaches to the greater downtown area.

[mjblazin]

You mean the D2 lines that won't even start construction until 2030? As for HSR, if it ever happens, wouldn't it be more efficient to bring it to Leadbetter or Westmoreland and let DART bring people rest of the way? You might even be able to paint it as a boon to South Dallas, letting it be the entry point.

[NTexUnited]

Since Union Station will probably never be a terminus for high-speed/intercity rail...
I like to think 'never say never', but I'm afraid you may be right on this one. The Texas High-Speed Rail Corporation made a deal with the devil, the airline devil that is, in order to prevent another Southwest airlines-style filibuster of HSR. They promised AA, and Continental that their proposed "Texas T-Bone" would terminate at the airports of the major cities, presumably passing by old downtown rail stations such as Union Station. Why the airlines (and their lobbying groups in Austin) would agree to this arrangement, i don't fully understand. Perhaps they felt that making their airports major intermodal hubs would be a beneficial boon to their bottom line. Maybe they want to hamstring Southwest, but Southwest no longer cares enough to put up a fight. The Wright amendment will be long gone by the time any track is laid, and Southwest has bigger ambitions than holding on to the Texas shuttle market that got them started.

I also don't know why the THSRC would insist on hubs at the airports, other than to keep the airlines off their backs. They should think of the needs and wants of potential riders. Imagine an American traveler headed to Europe for a vacation tour: they fly across the pond to De Gaulle or Heathrow, and take a train (or cab) to, most likely, the central part of the city, where they would stay initially, for a day or two, then take the HSR to another European city. Those European stations are, for the most part, in the central parts of the city, where most cultural institutions are located, although culture abounds in pretty much every corner of Europe, urban and rural alike. Now, take that concept, and flip it around to the U.S.A. No, the U.S. is far too vast and sparsely populated to necessitate a country-wide HSR system, but Texas, similar in size to France and Spain, lower in density (but gaining on those countries in this regard), is perfect for HSR development. A European traveler, in a perfect HSR world, would fly into DFW, or IAH, travel by light rail to the center city, stay a few days and see the sights (again via light rail and/or streetcar), then hop on the HSR from a nearby accessible station and travel briskly to Houston, or Austin, or maybe even ole' San Antone. In the THSRC's world, that traveler would fly into DFW, take light rail downtown, stay a few, then go back to the airport to get on the HSR?? The driving principle in HSR's argument against air travel is convenience, which becomes inconvenience when one has to go back and forth to the airport to get around the state. We already have that. A station at the airports would mostly benefit people trying to reach businesses and tourist attratcions in DFW's vicinity, and the airport itself.

Another thing we already have is a station that is the hub of Dallas's light-rail spokes, with commuter and future streetcar access. It is also close to many businesses and cultural institutions that most of HSR's patrons will seek. Yes, the station is incapable of providing such service, but additions to Beaux-arts style train stations has been done, to dramatic effect. We could squeeze the tracks in there, and I think elevated tracks will be more feasible for any HSR coming into the central part of the city, so just make an elevated platform at Union. This would spur downtown's revitalization more than any other development, and fulfill many an urbanist's dream, in my not-so-humble opinion.

correction: The THSRC is actually called the THSRTC, or Texas High-Speed Rail and Transportation Corporation. www.thsrtc.com (http://thsrtc.com)

[mjblazin]

You can make a case that DFW is the true center of the Metroplex when including all the suburbs and Fort Worth. We near downtown Dallas are really at the SE corner. While I'm sure people would love high speed rail to make cars unnecessary, that's unrealistic for our area. Instead high speed rail is a replacement for shuttle airlines. By using the airports as hubs, we exploit the extensive parking and transportation services that grew around the airports. Yes, you will go to Houston via rail, but you'll likely drive to airport (probably off-airport parking) and leave your car.

Why would someone from the Colony or Allen want to drive downtown when she or he can cut across the northern suburbs to DFW?

[NTexUnited]

You're right, Downtown is not the center of population for the region, but it is the commercial and lodging nexus for the Dallas side of our bipolar region. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I assure you there's more offices, hotels, and tourist attractions downtown than there is in/around DFW.

And it's not unrealistic for us to strive toward car-free transport, especially since we built this expensive light rail network, which converges on Downtown, not DFW, and will be supplemented by streetcars and commuter rail, that will again travel toward downtown. There's also a glut of cabs downtown, if you need to get somewhere that's not served by rail.

Let's not pursue HSR for the purpose of replacing the airline shuttles. Let's pursue HSR because its a safe, reliable, clean, and exceedingly convenient form of travel, for tourists, businesspeople, and everyday Texans who want to take their family to see the Alamo, without having to brave the dreadful I-35. I took that road back from South Padre Island on Memorial day, and traffic was standstill in the middle of rural areas, because that horse trail of a road cannot handle today's traffic load. Admittedly, this was one of the year's most heavy travel days, but that's what we want our intercity highways to facilitate, especially highways that lead away from coastal areas.

The only thing that DFW has, that downtown doesn't have, is extensive parking. But the hassle of a trip to the airport is an argument for Union as a hub, not against it. Also, people from Allen and The Colony wouldn't drive downtown. They would get a ride to the nearest commuter station, and take that downtown, straight to Union, where they could walk across a couple platforms to a shiny, luxurious high-speed train. That is, of course, contingent upon a commuter line being built north of DARTs Red line, but that seems likely, if Texas lawmakers can find a way to finance NCTCOGs plans.

the THSRTC should do what the interstate people did: fork the line at Hillsboro and have a terminal in DT Fort Worth, a station at Union, with a Terminal at DFW (yes, I know, more expensive, but it's gonna be anyway). There, everybody's happy, right?

[mjblazin]

I actually thought it would be as easier to ride the Cotton Belt line right to DFW instead of taking the CB to the Red Line and the Red Line to Union Station.
We are in a decade when little if anything new will be built and we'll spend most of our resources repairing the existing stuff. Getting HSR to DFW is 95% of the battle. Nothing that we want to do with rail is rendered impossible by that location. In the thrifty decade that will be 2010-2020 that's good enough.