<P> In most countries in Europe, throughout much of the 20th century, railways have been owned and operated by state enterprises . Where only one railway company exists, there is no need for a "joint station". However, before nationalisation many companies existed and sometimes they had "joint stations". In some cases this persists today . "Joint stations" are often found near borders where two state - owned railway companies meet . </P> <P> In German - speaking countries, the similar term Gemeinschaftsbahnhof is used in administrative language only; it applies for stations with joint facilities as well as for stations with side - by - side facilities; some border stations also fall under that term . The general public often call them "Hauptbahnhof" (main station), but this is a misnomer, as stations administratively classified as "Hauptbahnhof" need not be served by multiple operators . </P> <P> Many major stations in Germany are served by various trains operated by incumbent Deutsche Bahn and other railways that operate local passenger trains, sometimes also by railway companies of neighbor states that operate trans - border connections; a special term like union station is usually not used . The stations are generally owned and operated by DB Station&Service . </P> <P> As another example, Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, the main station of Leipzig, originally consisted of side - by - side parts that were used by the Prussian and Saxonian Railways until the federal Deutsche Reichsbahn was founded in 1920, but were essentially two stations operated separately by the two neighbors . </P>

Why are so many train stations called union station