Train services are making a comeback in the United States as options for moving people require choices as many airports are reaching capacity.

The railway infrastructor was very strong in the U.S. until World War 2 was over as many chose to travel by (as travel costs would shrink) and utilize highways and freeways that could move families and commuters by vehicles that were in the driveways of many American's.

The trolley systems of many cities (before and after World War 2) would be dismantled and repaved to handle cars, trucks, and busses but over time, even the asphalt highways and freeways would face backups and maintenance concerns while debating over expansions of many state highway systems would began in the 1970's

Many trolley systems would be rebuilt with light rail systems. Portland Oregon had the first major system in the Pacfic Northwest with the Tri-Met Max Light Rail System in the early 1980's.

Portland, Seattle, and Tacoma have found ways of integrating light rail and trolley systems by connecting them into the service that started it all, passenger rail service.

Oregon and Washington State have worked together to create a commuter rail service (Operated by Amtrak) known as Amtrak Cascades from Eugene to Vancouver, British Columbia.

These rail cooridors are crowded due to the demands of freight train service that can make it difficult to cross The Cascades as one rail line (know as The Milwaukee Road) was abanded in the 1970's that even provided electrified services starting in Seattle/Tacoma to Chicago over the Empire Builder.

The Coast Starlight and Empire Builder lines still operate along the Pacific Coast and to the central part of the United States but operate once a day at times that sometimes aren't convenient.

Because of increases in local services, many exisitng train stations were removated while others were relocated. Portland and Seattle continue to utilize train stations built at the beginning of the 1900's

Portland's Union Station is located in Old Town Chinatown is the 5th busiest train station on the West Coast providing service for Amtrak Cascades, The Empire Builder, and Coast Starlight routes operated by the national passenger rail transportation companty left.

Like Tacoma, the station even has nearby access to Greyhound bus services using curbside services located nearby.

Union Station opened in 1896 complete with a towering 150 ft clock tower.

The interlocking tower (using for switching trains to the proper track before automation) still stands and is treated as a historical monument.

The train station is a historical monument as well, and it's marble interior and neon signs are still in use for the current century.

Even the spots that were once phone booths are removed leaving a very empty space that doesn't have a use today.