the realization of this dream took many years of struggle, with the opening of the station eventually taking place, in 1858 - the line from central do brasil originally stretched all the way to the state of săo paulo. the opening was welcomed with a suitably carioca party, that took place at the site of the station, in the presence of numerous important figures of the day, including dom pedro ii himself - although maintaining its original location, the station was rebuilt in 1946, adapting its style into a trendy art deco building. it now boasts the largest four-faced clock in south america, amongst a 122-meter high building, with 20 floors.
