A train station (also called a railway
station, railroad station, or depot)
is a facility at which passengers
may board and alight from trains and/or
goods may be loaded or unloaded. It
consists usually of at least one building
for passengers (and possibly goods)
plus other installations associated
with the functioning of the railway
or railroad. Early stations were usually
built with both passenger and goods
facilities (though there was very
often a separate freight terminal
nearby, even in quite small communities).
This dual purpose is less common today,
and in many cases goods facilities
are restricted to major stations.
Generally stations are sited next
to a railway line, or form the terminus
for a particular route. Usually platforms
are present to allow passengers to
access trains easily and safely.
|
|
