6 Incredible Futuristic Train Stations

There's always been something incredibly romantic about traveling by train, and now there are even more reasons to do it since rail is a more environmentally friendly option that's getting faster every year. Keeping up with this green mode of transportation, futuristic high-speed rail stations are all the rage, with <a href="http://inhabitat.com/naturally-daylit-guangzhou-south-railway-station-is-a-critical-stop-in-chinas-high-speed-network/">China</a> leading the pack and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/calatravas-high-speed-rail-station-opens-in-liege/">Europe</a> not too far behind as countries <a href="http://inhabitat.com/photos-incredible-renovation-of-londons-historic-kings-cross-station-is-complete/" target="_blank">upgrade their older facilities</a>. Even the US is getting in on the action and is currently working on renovating or building new stations. In the last 2 years we've seen some brilliant rail stations completed - click through our gallery to see our favorites!

<h3><a href="http://inhabitat.com/spiraling-superfuturistic-newport-station-in-wales-connects-two-sides-of-the-city/">Newport Station in Wales</a></h3> This <a href="http://www.grimshaw-architects.com" target="_blank">Grimshaw Architects</a>-designed rail station in Newport, Wales is a spiraling futuristic facility that connects both sides of the city. <a href="http://inhabitat.com/spiraling-superfuturistic-newport-station-in-wales-connects-two-sides-of-the-city/">Newport Station</a> was renovated in 2010 in advance of the Ryder Cup and features energy efficient design, rainwater harvesting and an ETFE membrane on the roofs to soak up natural daylighting.

<h3><a href="http://inhabitat.com/calatravas-high-speed-rail-station-opens-in-liege/">Liège-Guillemins TGV Station in Belgium</a></h3> This stunning, transparent station in Liège, Belgium connects the high speed rail lines into Northern Europe. Designed by <a href="http://www.calatrava.com/" target="_blank">Santiago Calatrava</a>, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/calatravas-high-speed-rail-station-opens-in-liege/">Liège-Guillemins TGV Station</a> most prominently makes use of natural daylighting and is an elegant building to serve as the gateway to a city undergoing a renewal.

<h3><a href="http://inhabitat.com/photos-incredible-renovation-of-londons-historic-kings-cross-station-is-complete/">King's Cross Station in London</a></h3> <a href="http://inhabitat.com/photos-incredible-renovation-of-londons-historic-kings-cross-station-is-complete/">King's Cross Station</a> just underwent a 5 year renovation and what an improvement it is. Skylights over the main train shed transform it into a fresh and modern space, while the brand new Western Concourse is a stunning building with a huge free-spanning translucent roof. The renovation and upgrade was handled by <a href="http://www.mcaslan.co.uk/projects/king-s-cross-station" target="_blank">John McAslan + Partners</a> and is opening up just in time for the London Olympics this summer.

<h3><a href="http://inhabitat.com/naturally-daylit-guangzhou-south-railway-station-is-a-critical-stop-in-chinas-high-speed-network/">Guangzhou South Railway Station in China</a></h3> One of a number of new rail stations in China, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/naturally-daylit-guangzhou-south-railway-station-is-a-critical-stop-in-chinas-high-speed-network/">Guangzho South Railway</a> station is an critical stop in China's new high speed rail network. The <a href="http://www.tfpfarrells.com/#/project/0104/" target="_blank">TFP Farrells</a>-designed station maximizes natural daylight and minimizes energy use all while improving the public transportation network of the Pearl River Delta.

<h3><a href="http://inhabitat.com/china-celebrates-the-opening-of-the-gorgeous-daylit-tianjin-west-railway-station/">Tianjin West Railway Station in China</a></h3> Another critical high speed rail station in China is <a href="http://inhabitat.com/china-celebrates-the-opening-of-the-gorgeous-daylit-tianjin-west-railway-station/">Tianjin West</a>, which is located outside of Beijing and serves as a stop on its way to Shanghai. Designed by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/china-celebrates-the-opening-of-the-gorgeous-daylit-tianjin-west-railway-station/" target="_blank">gmp Architekten</a>, Tianjin West Railway Station features a 400-meter-long barrel vault roof that rises over the terminal concourse, soaking up the sun to create an invigorating and naturally daylit space below.

<h3><a href="http://inhabitat.com/station-hyllie-hovers-like-a-ufo-over-malmo-train-tracks-with-tractor-beam-daylighting-portals/">Hyllie Station in Sweden</a> The new <a href="http://inhabitat.com/station-hyllie-hovers-like-a-ufo-over-malmo-train-tracks-with-tractor-beam-daylighting-portals/" target="_blank">Hyllie Station</a> is an out of this world facility in Malmö, Sweden that places a strong focus on natural daylight. Designed by <a href="http://www.metroarkitekter.se/" target="_blank">Metro Arkitekter</a>, the station was completed in 2010 and currently serves passengers from Copenhagen and Malmö.