Los Angeles Union Station - Western Rail Archive

The historic heart of passenger railroading in Southern California and one of the most important transportation hubs in the American West.

Overview

Los Angeles Union Station serves as the principal passenger rail terminal for Southern California and functions as the centerpiece of the region’s rail network. Opened in 1939, the station consolidated several competing railroad terminals into a single facility and remains the largest railroad passenger terminal in the western United States.

Today, Union Station is the central hub for Amtrak, Metrolink, Metro Rail, regional bus services, and numerous intercity transportation providers. Every day, passengers, commuters, tourists, railroad enthusiasts, and historians pass through a building that remains both an active transportation center and a significant historic landmark.

For Western Rail Archive, Union Station represents the crossroads where the history of Southern Pacific, Union Pacific, Santa Fe, Pacific Electric, Los Angeles Railway, Amtrak, Metrolink, and modern transit all converge.

Quick Facts

Location	Downtown Los Angeles, California
Opened	May 7, 1939 (opening festivities began May 3, 1939)
Style	Spanish Colonial Revival / Mission Revival / Art Deco / Streamline Moderne
Original Railroads Served	Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway; Southern Pacific Railroad; Union Pacific Railroad
Current Passenger Operators	Amtrak; Metrolink; Los Angeles Metro Rail
Historic Designations	Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument; listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Historical Background

Before Union Station

Prior to 1939, Los Angeles lacked a unified passenger terminal. Major railroads maintained separate stations throughout the city, creating inconvenience for travelers and limiting operational efficiency.

As Los Angeles grew during the early twentieth century, civic leaders and railroad executives pushed for a consolidated station that would provide a grand gateway to the city while improving rail operations.

After decades of planning, legal negotiations, and political debate, construction finally began in the 1930s.

Opening in 1939

Opening celebrations began on May 3, 1939, with three days of parades and pageants attended by more than 500,000 people. The station was formally dedicated and opened for regular service on May 7, 1939.

The new terminal immediately became the primary rail gateway to Southern California. Long-distance trains arriving from Chicago, New Orleans, San Francisco, Seattle, and countless communities throughout the West brought tourists, migrants, military personnel, and business travelers into Los Angeles.

During the Second World War, Union Station experienced some of the busiest years in its history as military movements and wartime travel dramatically increased passenger volumes.

Postwar Decline

Like many American passenger terminals, Union Station saw ridership decline following the rise of automobiles, freeways, and commercial aviation after World War II.

Many once-famous passenger trains disappeared, and portions of the rail network that fed Union Station were reduced or abandoned.

Despite changing transportation patterns, Union Station survived thanks to continued passenger service and its importance as a regional transportation hub.

Revival and Modern Era

The arrival of Amtrak in 1971 preserved intercity passenger rail service in Los Angeles.

The creation of Metrolink in 1992 restored substantial commuter rail operations, while Metro Rail expanded rapid transit connections throughout Los Angeles County.

Today, Union Station is busier than it has been in decades, blending historic architecture with modern transportation services while remaining one of Southern California’s most recognizable landmarks.

Architecture

Union Station is often described as the last of the great American railroad stations.

The station combines:

Spanish Colonial Revival architecture
Mission Revival influences
Art Deco design elements
Streamline Moderne details

Notable features include:

The iconic central waiting room
Original wood seating
Massive arched windows
Decorative tile work
Historic chandeliers
Palm-lined courtyards
Streamline Moderne detailing

Unlike many historic stations that have been extensively modernized, Union Station retains much of its original appearance, providing visitors with a remarkably authentic glimpse into the golden age of rail travel.

Railroad Operations Today

Amtrak

Union Station serves as the Southern California hub for Amtrak operations.

Pacific Surfliner
Coast Starlight
Southwest Chief
Sunset Limited
Texas Eagle (through cars via the Sunset Limited)

These trains connect Los Angeles with destinations throughout California and across the United States.

Metrolink

Metrolink uses Union Station as the center of its regional commuter network.

Antelope Valley Line
Ventura County Line
Orange County Line
Riverside Line
San Bernardino Line
91/Perris Valley Line

Metro Rail

Union Station is also a major Metro transfer point, served by:

A Line (light rail to Pasadena and Long Beach)
B Line (subway to Hollywood and North Hollywood)
D Line (subway along Wilshire Boulevard)
J Line (bus rapid transit) and numerous regional bus routes

Why Union Station Matters

Union Station is significant because it represents multiple eras of Southern California transportation history.

It preserves the legacy of:

Transcontinental rail travel
Southern Pacific operations
Santa Fe passenger service
Union Pacific passenger trains
Postwar transportation changes
Amtrak’s creation
Metrolink’s regional revival
Modern transit development

Few locations in California offer such a concentrated view of railroad history spanning nearly a century.

Railfan and Photography Information

Public Access

Union Station is generally one of the most accessible railroad photography locations in Southern California.

Amtrak operations
Metrolink commuter trains
Locomotive movements
Passenger equipment
Platform activity
Historic architecture

Best Subjects

Metrolink locomotive-hauled trains
Pacific Surfliner equipment
Long-distance Amtrak consists
Historic station architecture
Passenger operations
Night photography
Seasonal holiday decorations

Safety

Western Rail Archive strongly encourages:

Remaining in public areas
Following all posted regulations
Respecting railroad employees and passengers
Never entering track areas
Using designated crossings and pathways

Photography should always be conducted legally, safely, and respectfully.

Notable Features to Explore

Historic Waiting Room

Often considered the architectural centerpiece of the station, the waiting room preserves much of its original 1939 appearance.

Ticket Concourse

The historic ticket area contains numerous preserved architectural details that reflect the station’s original design.

Platform Area

The long platform canopies provide classic railroad photography opportunities and showcase the continuing role of passenger rail in Southern California.

Nearby Freight Lines

Union Pacific and BNSF freight main lines along the Los Angeles River near the station highlight the ongoing evolution of rail transportation in Los Angeles.

Related Railroads

Related Locations

Gallery

Photo gallery coming soon.

Future gallery topics:

Station architecture
Metrolink operations
Amtrak operations
Historical comparison photographs
Night photography
Seasonal events
Equipment details

Western Rail Archive Notes

Union Station is more than a transportation facility. It is one of the few places where nearly every chapter of Southern California railroad history intersects in a single location. From the age of streamliners to modern commuter rail, the station continues to serve as a living piece of railroad history and remains an essential subject within the Western Rail Archive collection.

Archive Status

Page Status	Category	Region	Gallery
Foundational Article	Locations	Southern California	In Development