Abandoned railway station

An abandoned (or disused) railway station is a building or structure that was constructed to serve as a railway station but has fallen into disuse. There are various circumstances when this may occur – a railway company may fall bankrupt, or the station may be closed due to the failure of economic activity such as insufficient passenger numbers, operational reasons such as the diversion or replacement of the line. In some instances, the railway line may continue in operation while the station is closed. Additionally, stations may sometimes be resited along the route of the line to new premises – examples of this include opening a replacement station nearer to the center of population or building a larger station on a less restricted site to cope with high passenger numbers.

Abandoned railway stations have a complicated role in city growth. Some people think they show decay, while others see them as a chance to start new development. As cities change, these empty buildings can be used in new projects that bring fresh money and culture to the area.

Apart from their previous role, abandoned stations are visible echoes of local history. Their unusual design and old style strengthen social ties among residents to their past and make people want to preserve these heritage sites as part of their heritage.