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End of the line: amazing abandoned train stations



Slide 1 of 33: From grand central terminals left to crumble to rural stop-offs reclaimed by nature, we take a look at some of the most beautiful abandoned railway stations around the world that offer a glimpse into the past.
Slide 2 of 33: Since it opened in 1913, this vast train station has towered over Detroit's historic Corktown neighborhood. But in more recent decades, it became a symbol of the city's decline. The former intercity passenger rail depot was built for the Michigan Central Railroad, but after Amtrak finally stopped using the station, it was closed in the late 1980s and left empty. However, hope has returned as the historic building has recently been bought by the Ford Motor Company.
Slide 3 of 33: The grand architecture of Detroit's famous ruin means it has been used as a set for numerous films, including Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice. The 18-story landmark was designed by the Warren & Wetmore and Reed and Stem firms, who also designed New York City's Grand Central Terminal. The Detroit terminal once had gleaming marble floors, soaring arched ceilings and ornate tile work.
Slide 4 of 33: After its closure, the building was heavily vandalized and began to crumble away over the years. However, echoes of its grand interior still remain. Ford has announced that its mixed-use redevelopment plans will include restoration of the former station's grand lobby for public use. Take a look at these incredible images that capture the history of train travel.

Slide 5 of 33: A striking example of railway architecture, the once large and elaborate Anhalter Bahnhof station sits just southeast of Potsdamer Platz. Opening in 1841, it was the Berlin terminus of a line that went to Jüterbog and later on to Dessau, Köthen and beyond. Today, people pass by the remains of the station as they wander through a park that sits near the modern Anhalter Bahnhof S-Bahn station.
Slide 6 of 33: The station was notoriously used to transport thousands of Jewish people to concentration camps during the Second World War. It was severely damaged during the war and finally closed in 1952. Only parts of the station’s façade remain today, but they give a glimpse of the building’s former beauty and are a poignant reminder of the city’s past. The elaborate sculptures at the top of the building are one of its most striking features.
Slide 7 of 33: Now left to decay and decline, this still impressive railway station can be found in Gary, Indiana. Built in 1910 in classic Beaux-Arts style, just a few years after the town itself was founded, the station was used primarily to aid the booming steel industry. The station served several major railway lines, but was shuttered in the 1950s as local industry declined.
Slide 8 of 33: The exterior of the station remains amazingly intact, but the interior, including its once grand and cavernous hall, has been gutted and vandalized. Gary has several other notable ruins, including the City Methodist Church, each telling of the town's slump from a thriving center of industry.
Slide 9 of 33: This picturesque railway station can be seen in the small town of Kácov in Czech Republic’s Central Bohemia region. Though abandoned and neglected, the disused station building has plenty of charm. It has even been used as a filming location for movies such as the 2001 Czech drama Dark Blue World.

Slide 10 of 33: The Sutherland to Wollongong train line was built in New South Wales between 1884 and 1886 to service the coalfields and farms. There are seven abandoned tunnels between Waterfall and Otford, together known as the Helensburgh Tunnels, as well as the desolate Helensburgh station. The area is now popular with walkers, rail enthusiasts and ghost hunters, and there have even been reported sightings of a ghostly figure in the dark tunnels. It's said to be Robert Hails, a miner hit by a train in 1895.
Slide 11 of 33: After becoming disused and neglected for many years, the tunnels were drained and the site excavated in 1995, and a large stretch of the original platform was found intact. Now heritage listed, the tunnels are famed for their colony of glow worms. However, they are currently closed due to flooding that happened in May 2020, but if you're ever in the area, keep an eye on the website for a reopening date.
Slide 12 of 33: The old station of Monte Romano can be found on the disused Orte-Capranica-Civitavecchia railway line, which was constructed to connect Rome’s sea port in the late 19th century. The link was discontinued in 1961. Today the old railway track is used as a route by walkers and mountain bikers, and some of the handsome but faded station buildings, such as the one in Monte Romano, remain.
Slide 13 of 33: Decaying and overgrown, the forgotten railway line that encircles Paris has an eerie beauty about it. It was a vital means of transport for urban Parisians traveling on steam trains from 1862 until 1934, after which the network of tunnels, bridges, and tracks turned to waste land. It lay mostly forgotten for decades, taken over by weeds, wildflowers, urban wildlife and graffiti artists.
Slide 14 of 33: The once bustling railway line, which also served steam freight trains, originally had 29 stations, but today there are only 17. It was forced into decline by the advent of the underground Paris Métro and the growing popularity of motor vehicles.

Slide 15 of 33: In 2007, however, the section between the Porte d’Auteuil and the Gare de la Muette in the 16th arrondissement was opened to the public as an urban walkway. People can also follow nature trails along sections in the 12th arrondissement and the pathways between the Place Balard and the Rue Olivier de Serres in the 15th arrondissement. The latest sections opened in 2015 in the 13th arrondissement and in June 2020 between rue de Thionville and 2 bis rue de l'Ourcq.
Slide 16 of 33: No one has alighted onto the platform at this remote and rural station in Buckinghamshire since 1968, though the buildings remain, derelict and unused. The station, which is actually a mile away from the village of Swanbourne, was on the Oxford to Bletchley line and operated by Buckinghamshire Railway when it opened in the 1800s.
Slide 17 of 33: The route was closed by the British Railways Board after the introduction of new diesel trains in the 1960s. The need for a cross-country service also declined, as passengers found it quicker to travel via London rather than on the old Varsity Line, which ran between Oxford and Cambridge. Take in the ruined ticket office and you can glimpse a bygone age of rail travel.
Slide 18 of 33: West Oakland's decaying historic landmark dates back to 1912 and is a wonderful example of Beaux-Arts-style architecture, with its huge arched windows. At its peak, the significant Southern Pacific Railroad station saw an estimated 400 trains come along its tracks every day. But, over the years, the face of transport changed and passengers declined. The station was also badly damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989.
Slide 19 of 33: After many subsequent years of neglect, the grand disused building was bought by non-profit, affordable housing developer BRIDGE. It’s now used as a film set and an atmospheric events space, plus major redevelopment plans are underway.
Slide 20 of 33: It’s not just the railway station that lies abandoned and ruined in this settlement at the southeastern tip of Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu. The entire village of Danushkodi was deserted after a powerful cyclone devastated the town and its buildings in 1964. According to some reports, as many as 2,000 people perished during the natural disaster.
Slide 21 of 33: Among the ruins are the town's once bustling railway station building, of which only part of the façade remains. Tragically, the devastating cyclone caused a huge tidal wave which hit an incoming train to Danushkodi, washing it away and reportedly killing all 115 people on board. Take a look at more treasured places under threat due to climate change.
Slide 22 of 33: One of the oldest towns in Uruguay, Colonia del Sacramento in the southwest of the country is known for its cobbled historic center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the city's fascinating old buildings is this abandoned railway station with its faded and graffiti-daubed exterior and its overgrown tracks.
Slide 23 of 33: On the banks of the Hudson River, the overgrown ruins of the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Building may not look like much, but the station was once a prosperous place with millions of passengers passing through. The Bush train shed, which is still standing today, housed 20 tracks and was, at the time, the largest ever built. Discover more with our round-up of the world's eeriest abandoned hotels and airports.
Slide 24 of 33: Built in 1889, the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal signified new beginnings for many of its passengers. In fact, it welcomed as many as two thirds of the immigrants from Ellis Island as they went via New Jersey to start their new lives. However, the Great Depression and the rise of the motorcar spelled the end of the railroad age in the US, and the station finally closed in 1967.
Slide 25 of 33: Built in 1904 by renowned architects Heins & LaFarge, City Hall was the very first subway station that opened to the public in New York City. Services were discontinued in 1945 as passengers found the nearby Brooklyn Bridge station, which had access to both express and local tracks, more convenient. The city's “lost” station is an incredible space that remains remarkably well preserved.
Slide 26 of 33: With its curved platform, vaulted tile ceilings, skylights, and chandeliers still largely intact, the station may have been abandoned, but it remains a vital piece of America's rail history. Its track is still used as a turnaround spot for the 6 line, but the station is closed off to the public. However, members of The New York City Transit Museum can usually book into the semi-regular guided tours it runs into the abandoned station.
Slide 27 of 33: Abkhazia, a disputed territory on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, has several abandoned railway stations, including this one in Gudauta. The dilapidated but beautiful railway station was established during the Soviet era and has stood unused since the early 1990s.
Slide 28 of 33: Despite the overgrown platforms and rail tracks, worn exterior and fading interior, this abandoned station still retains a little of its former grandeur. Some of the station’s ornate details, including its carved archways, are still visible inside the wrecked building. Locals are keen to restore it to its former glory, with development work to repair the roof in progress.
Slide 29 of 33: The decrepit Psyrtskha Railway Station in Novy Afon, overlooking a lake and surrounded by mountains, is another stunning stop in Abkhazia that has been left to waste away. Although the station is abandoned, the surrounding tracks are still in use.
Slide 30 of 33: Inside some of the glass windows are broken and the wooden paneling has been damaged but the ceiling remains intact. Today, the station has become something of a magnet for photographers keen to picture the pavilion's unique shape. 
Slide 31 of 33: Once the second biggest train station in Europe, Canfranc International Railway Station sits high in the Pyrenees mountains in a small Spanish village on the border with France. It was jointly owned by the two countries and much celebrated, until it was beset by financial troubles and war. The station finally closed in the 1970s after a train derailed, crashing into a bridge. The opulent building was left to slowly decay.
Slide 32 of 33: The station's official opening in 1928 was attended by the King of Spain and the French president, no less, and the landmark was known as the "Titanic of the Mountains". But it has a checkered history. It was a key hub for transporting many Jewish people to liberty during the Second World War. However, when the Nazis took control of the Canfranc municipality station from 1942 until 1944, they reportedly used it to smuggle looted gold.
Slide 33 of 33: Today the haunting ruins of the decrepit station and its beautiful mountainous setting have become a popular tourist destination, with guided tours of the site available with social distancing rules in place. It was also recently bought by the local government in Aragon and major plans are afoot to restore Canfranc to its former glory, in the form of a luxury hotel with a working railway. Now discover these photos of the world's coolest metro stations

Last stop

Michigan Central Train Station, Detroit, USA

Since it opened in 1913, this vast train station has towered over Detroit’s historic Corktown neighborhood. But in more recent decades, it became a symbol of the city’s decline. The former intercity passenger rail depot was built for the Michigan Central Railroad, but after Amtrak finally stopped using the station, it was closed in the late 1980s and left empty. However, hope has returned as the historic building has recently been bought by the Ford Motor Company.

Michigan Central Train Station, Detroit, USA

The grand architecture of Detroit’s famous ruin means it has been used as a set for numerous films, including Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice. The 18-story landmark was designed by the Warren & Wetmore and Reed and Stem firms, who also designed New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. The Detroit terminal once had gleaming marble floors, soaring arched ceilings and ornate tile work.

Michigan Central Train Station, Detroit, USA

After its closure, the building was heavily vandalized and began to crumble away over the years. However, echoes of its grand interior still remain. Ford has announced that its mixed-use redevelopment plans will include restoration of the former station’s grand lobby for public use. Take a look at these incredible images that capture the history of train travel.

Anhalter Bahnhof, Berlin, Germany

Anhalter Bahnhof, Berlin, Germany

The station was notoriously used to transport thousands of Jewish people to concentration camps during the Second World War. It was severely damaged during the war and finally closed in 1952. Only parts of the station’s façade remain today, but they give a glimpse of the building’s former beauty and are a poignant reminder of the city’s past. The elaborate sculptures at the top of the building are one of its most striking features.

Union Station, Indiana, USA

Now left to decay and decline, this still impressive railway station can be found in Gary, Indiana. Built in 1910 in classic Beaux-Arts style, just a few years after the town itself was founded, the station was used primarily to aid the booming steel industry. The station served several major railway lines, but was shuttered in the 1950s as local industry declined.

Union Station, Indiana, USA

Kácov Station, Czech Republic

This picturesque railway station can be seen in the small town of Kácov in Czech Republic’s Central Bohemia region. Though abandoned and neglected, the disused station building has plenty of charm. It has even been used as a filming location for movies such as the 2001 Czech drama Dark Blue World.

Helensburgh Railway Station, Australia

Helensburgh Railway Station, Australia

After becoming disused and neglected for many years, the tunnels were drained and the site excavated in 1995, and a large stretch of the original platform was found intact. Now heritage listed, the tunnels are famed for their colony of glow worms. However, they are currently closed due to flooding that happened in May 2020, but if you’re ever in the area, keep an eye on the website for a reopening date.

Monte Romano, Italy

La Petite Ceinture, Paris, France

La Petite Ceinture, Paris, France

La Petite Ceinture, Paris, France

In 2007, however, the section between the Porte d’Auteuil and the Gare de la Muette in the 16th arrondissement was opened to the public as an urban walkway. People can also follow nature trails along sections in the 12th arrondissement and the pathways between the Place Balard and the Rue Olivier de Serres in the 15th arrondissement. The latest sections opened in 2015 in the 13th arrondissement and in June 2020 between rue de Thionville and 2 bis rue de l’Ourcq.

Swanbourne Station, Buckinghamshire, England

Swanbourne Station, Buckinghamshire, England

16th Street Station, California, USA

16th Street Station, California, USA

Danushkodi Railway Station, India

Danushkodi Railway Station, India

Among the ruins are the town’s once bustling railway station building, of which only part of the façade remains. Tragically, the devastating cyclone caused a huge tidal wave which hit an incoming train to Danushkodi, washing it away and reportedly killing all 115 people on board. Take a look at more treasured places under threat due to climate change.

Colonia del Sacramento Railway Station, Uruguay

One of the oldest towns in Uruguay, Colonia del Sacramento in the southwest of the country is known for its cobbled historic center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the city’s fascinating old buildings is this abandoned railway station with its faded and graffiti-daubed exterior and its overgrown tracks.

The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Building, USA

On the banks of the Hudson River, the overgrown ruins of the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Building may not look like much, but the station was once a prosperous place with millions of passengers passing through. The Bush train shed, which is still standing today, housed 20 tracks and was, at the time, the largest ever built. Discover more with our round-up of the world’s eeriest abandoned hotels and airports.

The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Building, USA

City Hall Subway Station, New York, USA

City Hall Subway Station, New York, USA

With its curved platform, vaulted tile ceilings, skylights, and chandeliers still largely intact, the station may have been abandoned, but it remains a vital piece of America’s rail history. Its track is still used as a turnaround spot for the 6 line, but the station is closed off to the public. However, members of The New York City Transit Museum can usually book into the semi-regular guided tours it runs into the abandoned station.

Gudauta, Abkhazia

Gudauta, Abkhazia

Psyrtskha Railway Station, Abkhazia

Psyrtskha Railway Station, Abkhazia

Inside some of the glass windows are broken and the wooden paneling has been damaged but the ceiling remains intact. Today, the station has become something of a magnet for photographers keen to picture the pavilion’s unique shape. 

Canfranc International Railway Station, Spain

Canfranc International Railway Station, Spain

Canfranc International Railway Station, Spain

Today the haunting ruins of the decrepit station and its beautiful mountainous setting have become a popular tourist destination, with guided tours of the site available with social distancing rules in place. It was also recently bought by the local government in Aragon and major plans are afoot to restore Canfranc to its former glory, in the form of a luxury hotel with a working railway.

Now discover these photos of the world’s coolest metro stations

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