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A railway station, train station, railroad station, or station yard is a facility at which passengers may board and alight from trains, and/or where rail-transported freight (or goods) may be loaded or unloaded.[1] Historically, the term (railroad) depot has also been employed in North America. A station whose primary purpose is the provision of passenger services is sometimes known as a passenger station, whereas a station dealing solely or mainly with goods (freight) is referred to as a goods station or freight station. The term "train station" is a U.S. term alien to British English until recently. In the United Kingdom the term "station" is the standard term used by rail passengers and operators, other types of station (police station, bus station, etc.) being given their full title.[2] The term 'train station' is rarely, if ever, used in other English-speaking countries such as India.

A station usually consists of at least one building for passengers (and possibly freight) plus other installations associated with the functioning of the railway or railroad. A small station with few facilities and/or limited use may be known as a "halt" in U.K. usage, or in U.S. usage as a "stop".

Early stations were sometimes built with both passenger and goods facilities, though some railway lines were goods-only or passenger-only, and if a line was dual-purpose there would often be a goods depot apart from the passenger station.[3] Dual-purpose stations can sometimes still be found today, though in many cases goods facilities are restricted to major stations. Stations are sited either adjacent to or athwart a railway line, or at the end of one (in which case they are said to form the terminus of the line). Usually raised platforms are provided to allow passengers to board trains easily and safely. Platforms may be connected by subways, footbridges, or level crossings; passenger facilities such as shelter, ticket sales and benches can be found on the platforms or (at larger stations, where buildings exist) in the station's public buildings.[4]

As well as providing services for passengers and loading facilities for goods, stations can sometimes have locomotive and rolling stock depots (usually with facilities for storing and refuelling locomotives and rolling stock and carrying out minor repair jobs). In North America a railway station that is jointly used by several rail transport companies is sometimes called a union station, or an interchange station. Stations co-located with other transport systems such as trams and buses may also be referred to as interchanges,[5] as may stations offering both metro/subway and heavy-rail services.