Union Station (Oklahoma City)
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| Union Station | |
|---|---|
| Station statistics | |
| Address | 300 Southwest 7th Street Oklahoma City, OK |
| Other service | COTPA offices |
| Other information | |
| Owned by | Central Oklahoma Parking and Transit Authority |
Contents |
[edit] Location
300 SW 7th, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
[edit] History
Oklahoma City Union Station, opened in 1931, was built to move surface rail lines and two separate rail company depots out of downtown Oklahoma City. Rail traffic was so dense at the time that it was reportedly hard to get a fire truck across downtown. Grade separating the rail lines and streets was the critical issue for Oklahoma City business and downtown growth. The Rock Island and Frisco railroad companies consolidated their station operations at the new Union Station. The depot closed to the public in 1967 following the discontinuance of the last Frisco passenger train serving Oklahoma City. In the 1980's the station was purchased by the city of Oklahoma City to become a multimodal transportation center. Plans changed, and the station physical plant is scheduled to be destroyed as a part of the 4.5-mile Interstate 40 relocation. Interstate 40, known locally as the Cross-town Expressway, currently runs on an elevated bridge through downtown Oklahoma City. A 12-track, six-block-long passenger rail yard existed until circa 2000 when a scrapper removed all but two main track rail routes, currently operated by the Union Pacific and BNSF railroads, from the property. The right of way and former passenger rail handling facilities are scheduled to be removed and replaced by the relocation of Interstate 40.
[edit] Architecture
The terminal building, with 55,000 square feet on its main floor, is a sprawling, generous California Spanish Mission Revival style. The structure included many elegant touches (small courtyards and alcoves with fountains and gardens surrounding the station terminal).
[edit] Station Facilities
Passengers accessed the 12-track rail yard through subterranean tunnels via a gentle ramp from the grand waiting room. Mail and express were also routed under the tracks to the surface passenger platforms. Hudson and Harvey street traffic met the trains "at grade," enabling easy passenger access and seamless exchange of time-sensitive mail and express freight between trucks and trains. Arterial traffic on Robinson and Walker streets flowed freely under rail yard underpasses built as an integral part of the station complex. Massive freight warehouses and material handling areas were located behind the passenger facilities.
[edit] Strategic Location: Oklahoma City Carriers
Union Station served and still serves as the center of Oklahoma's rail lines.
- The Rock Island's east-west Memphis and Tucumcari route hosted several passenger trains, including the Choctaw Rocket and Twin Star Rocket connection throughout the years.
- The Frisco railroad operated trains such as the Meteor, Oklahoman, Firefly, and Will Rogers all through Tulsa. Additional, lesser know passenger extensions operated between Oklahoma City and Lawton.
- Direct connection was made with the Katy railroad just northeast of Union Station in the warehouse district. The Katy, along with tenant railroad, Oklahoma City Ada and Atoka (OCAA), operated a passenger depot in the warehouse district. The Katy route operated between Oklahoma City and Parsons, Kansas. The OCAA operated limited passenger rail doodlebug service to the southeast Oklahoma community of Atoka.
- The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe, now BNSF, north south Texas mainline elevated tracks are accessed to the east of the station. Many large Oklahoma communities such as Ponca City, Guthrie, and Edmond (to the north of Oklahoma City) and Moore, Norman, Purcell, and Ardmore (to the south of Union Station) are located on the longer Chicago to Houston BNSF route. The portion south of Oklahoma City serves as Amtrak's Heartland Flyer route. The Heartland Flyer however stops at the privately owned Santa Fe depot.
[edit] Current Passenger Services
Bus None
Rail None
Business Central Oklahoma Parking and Transit Authority (COPTA) offices.
