Estación Central (railway station)

Estación Alameda (unofficially Estación Central) in Santiago, Chile, is the city's only railway station after the closure of the Estación Mapocho, serving southern Chile (passenger trains no longer serve northern Chile). It is on the Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, facing Matucana avenue.

Overview

It opened in 1885, with the building designed by Gustave Eiffel in 1897, and its metallic structure built by the French firm Schneider of Le Creusot. It was declared National Monument in 1983 by the government,^[1] protected by law against being demolished or remodeled. It has long been a reference point for travellers and locals; it is so well known that it gave the name to the municipality and commune where it is located, Estación Central.

It has experienced a revival as the government railway Empresa de los Ferrocarriles del Estado has been modernized to restore the bygone appeal for train travel. These efforts have met with moderate success.

It is an important hub for public transportation, with a Santiago Metro station and three intercity bus terminals within walking distance. Many local bus lines stop at the station and a medium-sized shopping center is adjacent.

The nearby San Borja Bus Terminal is within walking distance and connected by a medium-sized complex of shopping centers.

The central gates of the station are a transfer point to the underground Santiago Metro Line 1 Estación Central metro station.

Lines and trains

The following lines and trains terminate here:

• Red Sur EFE
  • TerraSur inter-city service (Alameda - Chillán)
  • Expreso Maule inter-city service (Alameda - Linares)
  • Metrotrén commuter service (Alameda - San Fernando)
• Ramal Cartagena
  • FEPASA freight transport

Surroundings

• University of Santiago
• San Borja Bus Terminal
• Estación Central metro station
• Mall Plaza Alameda (shopping center)
  • Falabella, Ripley, La Polar & Johnsons retail stores.
• Paseo Arauco Estación (shopping center)
  • Almacenes París and Fashion's Park retail stores, Sodimac (warehouse store).
• Cinemundo, a 6 screens Movie theater.
• Planetarium "Universidad de Santiago".

Adjacent stations

Gallery

• 
  The station in 1897
• 
  Main hall
• 
  Night view
• 
  Platforms
• 
  External view

References

Station History

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Estación Central de Santiago.

• Empresa de los Ferrocarriles del Estado
• Metrotrén
• TerraSur

Coordinates: 33°27′07″S 70°40′44″W / 33.45194°S 70.67889°W / -33.45194; -70.67889