Cincinnati, OH: 1933 Union Terminal (CUT)

(3D Satellite)

William A. Shaffer posted
Cincinnati Union Terminal. (Circa 1930s)
What an iconic terminal. I have heard rumors that it might be once again opening up for passengers.
(Photo by Floyd Richards - Collection of William A. Shaffer)
Sue Callahan Impressive structure. Hope it returns to passenger travel.
[She may have her hope:  Amtrak to bring staff back to Cincinnati Union Terminal for overnight train. It has passenger travel (Cardinal), but it is was the busiest of 15 stations that lost station staff in 2018.]

Corlandra Jones posted
CINCINNATI UNION TERMINAL
Jim Kelling shared

The station temporarily lost passenger service to a temporary structure when the Union Terminal building was renovated in 2018. [GreatAmericanStations]

Jason Leverton posted
The Cincinnati Union Terminal, fresh off a major rehab project.
James Giannotti

https://images.app.goo.gl/oas7H6UE2wQqtVJR9

2 of 3 photos posted by Joseph Tuch Santucci with the comment: "This morning [Sep 10, 2023] at Cincinnati Union Terminal"

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Jason Leverton posted
The interior of Cincinnati Union Terminal.

Amtrak posted
Cincinnati Union Terminal is out here doing the most.
J.B. Rail Photog shared

It looks like the museum that is now using the building is a natural history museum in the "largest half-dome in the western hemisphere." Actually, the building houses three museums. And you can visit the original control tower. [CincyMuseum]

Thadd Fiala, Jan 2020

One of the museums is the Duke Energy Children's Museum. In addition to the usual ball pit and water play areas and other exhibits, it has an exhibit about dental care.

Photo: Laura Hoevener via CincinnatiUSA

Amtrak uses the former C&O route to the East and the former B&O+Erie route to Chicago. Of course, both of these routes are now operated by CSX.

AmtrakGuide

CincyMuseum
"The Rotunda's interior dome spans 180 feet, with a height of 106 feet."

A fraction of its platform space.

CincyMuseum
"The station was designed to accommodate 17,000 passengers and 216 trains a day."

I find it interesting that the depots in Chicago are called stations when, in fact, they are terminals. No passenger train runs through Chicago. Yet this depot is called a terminal when, in fact, it is a station. Even in its heyday, very few passenger trains, if any, would have terminated here, which is wrong. Please read JohnP's comment.

One of 18 photos shared by Albert R Brecken
Cincinnati Union Terminal Tower A on April 8, 2012.
Photo by Don Wetmore

Rick Shilling posted two images with the comment: "Back view of Union Terminal, Cincinnati, Ohio  shows 8 platforms and 16 tracks servicing 7 Railroads: B&O,C&O,L&N,NYC,N&W,PRR and SR."

Thomas Wentzel shared

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A different exposure of the above.

Jon Talton posted
Cincinnati Union Terminal, one of the finest pieces of Art Deco architecture in America. Opening in 1933, CUT was served by the New York Central, Pennsylvania, Baltimore and Ohio, Chesapeake and Ohio, Louisville and Nashville, Norfolk and Western, and Southern railroads. Amtrak pulled out in 1972 in favor of a nearby "Amshack," but returned with the Cardinal in 1991. Today, Union Terminal has been lovingly restored as the Cincinnati Museum Center.
Eric Godfrey: Restored but unfortunately truncated – as the photo shows, the impressive concourse (from which I boarded C & O's "George Washington" many times as a teenager) was lopped off. I think its murals went to CVG (the Cincinnati airport). As a young person I found the whole station awe-inspiring, and still remember the boarding announcement echoing through the vast spaces of the concourse.
Arthur House: The photo shows the demolition of the concourse portion of the structure.
[Jack Finke provided the three interior photos below as comments.]
Rod Davis shared
Randall Hampton shared
Randall Hampton shared
Deacon Glide shared

 

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Rick Shilling posted
1952 EUnits of C&O,PRR,NYC and L&N idle on ready tracks by Union Terminal Roundhouse, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Thomas Wentzel shared

Rich Shilling posted

1930's Union Terminal Railroad Roundhouse, North of Western Hills Viaduct, Cincinnati, Ohio. 

1. Roundhouse and Turntable under construction. 

2. Completed Union Terminal Roundhouse & Turntable. 

3. Roundhouse under water from great 1937 flood.

Rick commented on his post
Yellow dot by Viaduct is a Turntable that is still there. It was built to primarily serve passenger Locomotives at Cincinnati Union Terminal. The red dot a little NE of yellow dot was location of Cincinnati Union Terminal Roundhouse which is all gone.

Dennis DeBruler commented on Rick's post

Dave Frey posted three photos with the comment: "Cincinnati's Big Four Roundhouse in the early 90's. I took these photos a few years before they demolished it in favor of a corporate building and walking path garden...sad."

Charles A Nungester: 90s?

Dave Frey: Charles A Nungester Yes

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Denis Larrick commented on Dave's post
The Big Four used it, but it was built by Cincinnati Union Terminal. The plans called for a second turntable and roundhouse in the foreground (inside the loop used to turn passenger equipment), but passenger demand dropped off almost as soon as the new terminal opened, which was a few weeks early due to the old stations being engulfed in a flood.

Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society posted two photos with the comment:

The C&O Railway's western passenger terminal was at Cincinnati Union Station. Opening in 1933, it was one of the very last of America's grand "temples of transportation." In stunning Art Deco style, the rotunda survives today as the Cincinnati Museum Center.

In 2019, attendees of our non-profit organization's annual conference toured the grant Art Deco structure as part of our 50th annual convention.

(Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society archive # COHS-31495.)

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Eight photos including interior and construction

12 photos of Art Deco details

Pagtrick Fuchs commented on the fifth photo
The building was designed with a pretty extensive lane system under to guide in taxis, busses, and I believe even trolleys to drop off and pick up passengers.