I have yet to travel long-distance by rail, but from what I've heard, it is one of the most scenic ways to travel. Although not as efficient as flying, or in some cases even - driving, travelling by rail allowed riders to see the country, as well as stop at picturesque stations.
This is the story of Amtrak's Midway Station.
Originally opened in March of 1978, the Midway Station serviced the Empire Builder line. This line gave riders the option to travel from Chicago to Seattle/Portland or get off at a number of stations along the way. However, as St. Paul's Union Depot finished its renovation in the spring of 2014, the Midway Station was left abandoned.
^ A before and after, located in the main concourse of the station.
^ No Money, No Ticket
^ (Background) The baggage claim, (foreground) the entryway
In addition to the "front-end" aspect of the station, where passengers were able to congregate and wait for their train, the station also hosted a number of regional offices, serving as a headquarters for the upper midwest.
^ An employees only section of the station, with offices behind. Roll out the red carpet!
^ The behind-the-scenes of whisking your luggage back to you, (back and midground) the conveyor belts where luggage was sent out to impatient passengers.