The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, or ARTIC, rises in Anaheim

ARTIC: the station of the future, today. Some day, it’ll serve high-speed train passengers in Anaheim. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Dec. 24, 2014 3:20 PM PT

Earlier this month, a sleek, glass-wrapped $189-million building that officials are promoting as the state’s first high-speed station opened to the public. It’s in Anaheim, next to the 57 Freeway, very close to both the Honda Center and Angel Stadium.

Currently, about 900 passengers board Metrolink and Amtrak trains in Anaheim each day. Within a few years, according to the rosiest projections, ARTIC will be serving between 5,000 and 10,000 travelers daily. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The cascading rooftop of the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, or ARTIC. (Elisa Ferrari / Los Angeles Times)

A detailed view of the Orange County station’s ceiling. (Elisa Ferrari / Los Angeles Times)

Wrapped in a skin of metal panels, glass and ETFE, ARTIC suggests a cross between a small regional airport and a semi-pro arena. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

ARTIC was produced by the architecture firm HOK. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

From the outside, with its vaulted and highly Instagram-able profile, ARTIC looks a little like a giant covered wagon. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

ARTIC awaits passengers. Currently, trains lose out to cars in Orange County. Fifteen or 20 years from now the picture may be very different. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)