Walthers, Inc. Style Station Platform Shelter Kit

As an alternate to costly train sheds, American railroads tried three distinct styles of station platforms including the Busch, Umbrella and Butterfly types. Of these, the Butterfly (so named because of its up-swept, wing-shaped roof) was cheaper to build and eliminated the maintenance headaches of other designs. Providing plenty of ventilation for engine exhaust and just enough protection from the sun and rain for passengers, Butterfly platforms gained widespread popularity early in the 20th century.