Train station
A train station or railway station (also called a railroad station, rail station, or depot) is a place where passengers can get on and off trains and/or goods may be loaded or unloaded.
Early stations were usually built to handle passengers and goods. Today, goods are usually only unloaded at big stations. Stations are next to a railway line, or they are the terminus for a route. Usually there are platforms to let passengers get on and off the train easily and safely. Many stations have things such as shelters, ticket sales and benches.
The busiest railway station in the world is Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, Japan. The largest station is Nagoya Station in Nagoya, Japan. The busiest station in Europe is Clapham Junction in south London in the United Kingdom. At peak times, there is one train every 13 seconds there.
Different types of railway stations
Luxulyan railway station in Cornwall, a very basic railway station. Trains stop only on request. People who want to get off here must tell this to train staff. The station is used by about 1.000 people per year..jpg.webp)
Terminal station (seen here is the Gare de Lyon, one of six in Paris). Trains that go through (and do not terminate) here must change direction. On the other hand, passangers can walk from one track to another without the need to cross tracks.
Interchange station in Birmingham, England. Passengers can change from one train route to another, often without having to leave the station or even the platform, or pay an additional ticket.
Station facilities
Railway stations usually have either ticket booths, or ticket machines. Ticket sales can also be together with an information desk or a shop. Many stations have a shop or a kiosk.
Bigger stations often have fast-food or restaurants. In some countries these stations also have a bar, or a pub. Other station facilities are: toilets, luggage rooms, lost-and-found (lost property office), timetables, trolleys, waiting rooms, taxi ranks and bus stops.
