Ridden Amtrak train into D.C.'s Union Station?

Question

Has anyone ever arrived via Amtrak train at Washington D.C.'s Union Station? I need a description of that. What sort of path is the train on? When it stops, are you inside or outside? When you get off the train, where are you? What does it look like? Where do you go after that? I need this to be specific to D.C. as it's for something I'm writing, and I need to sound as though I've been there and exited an Amtrak at this station. Thanks!

Answer 1

Arrival into Union Station is from the northeast with the exception of trains from Virginia which arrive through a tunnel that runs beneath Capitol Hill from the southwest.  There are two arrival levels; most trains arrive on the upper level.  Trains stop outside on covered platforms.

Once alighting from the train, passengers move into the station which contains numerous shops, restaurants and fast-food places.  The building itself is greek-revival style with two large curving staircases from the ticket-sales area down to the theater and food court level.  On the street side of the building is a large open hall with coffered ceilings.  Around the ceiling are large statues of warriors posing with shields.  In front of the building is a traffic circle with a monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus in the center.

Answer 2

I went there last spring and the train comes to a dead end beside a platfrom with quite a few other tracks. You'll get off on the platform and it only has a small roof over each platform. Then you walk into the main station and it is a huge hall. The walls and ceiling are very ornate. The back is lined with help desks and stores and the front is all track gates. Then there is a second hall with many stores inside. Then downstairs is a giant foodcourt with every kind of food you'd want and more. Then after the second hall, you go through a third where there is an elevated floor, but for only a little portion of the hall where there is a "fancy" restaurant. Then you can walk out onto the street from there and hail a cab, or take a bus, whichever you please.