Abstract
In Europe of 19th century, terminal stations of metropolitan cities frequently applied train shed as symbol of architectural space of railway station. Its marvelous presence in is still observed today.
In functional aspect, the prime role was shelter to protect passengers and wagons and the priority as space for stay or move of passengers was enforced after the introduction of cross platform in dead end of tracks and intermediate platforms, comparing with the time when two sided layout dividing the departure and the arrival services was applied and when train shed was served as depot for train operations. Add to this function, wide span as possible was realized as the progress of structural engineering so as not to interrupt the whole operation on the platform for trains, passengers, baggage and coaches. The ventilation system for smoke of steam locomotive was finally invented by stack and ridge windows combining with large volume of train shed enough for rising smoke.
Its symbolic aspect was expressed as engineering exhibition space or competition of the largest span proving the technology of railway companies. As for design, its splendid character and excellent decoration was admired while the preference of form such as arch or gable was different by country. Besides, the judgment of iron architecture was completely divided in two: valueless hanger for neo classism architects and admiration of transparent and bright void space for avant-garde architects criticizing the imitation of architectural style. In this situation, various social contributions such as entrance hall of city, buffer space relating city and rural area and salon for high class people, was observed in train shed. As the rail travel diffused so as to promote the popularization and internationalization of railway station, train shed had become a motif for various artists possessing new valuable beauty.
