REWIND: Union Station Holidays (DC, 2008)

The facade of Union Station stretches 600 feet in total.
The unusual background was taken strictly by accident.

With New Year's Eve just around the corner, let's keep the Christmas feeling alive a bit longer with a look back at Union Station in Washington, DC all decked for the holidays. These photos are from a visit in December 2008.

Union Station opened in 1907 and is visited by over 32 million people each year. The terminal is served by commuter railroads such as Amtrak, the Washington Metro and buses.

The main hall ceiling reaches 96 feet above the floor.

Of particular note is the beaux-arts style architecture and vaulted ceiling of the main hall and concourse. As of this writing the train concourse level is being renovated. More than 100 shops and 35 food establishments from fast food to fine dining are located on three levels within the station. In austere downtown DC, this is one the few contained "shopping mall" experiences near the National Mall. During freezing winters or hot summers, the indoor comfort of this landmark becomes even more attractive.

More info at unionstationdc.com.

The three level concourse. 

Main Hall. Like an airport, boards announce rail schedules.

Holiday model train display in the main hall