neroden
Engineer
Unfortunately it had all the elegance and taste of that part of the 1970s, which is to say none at all.
Nostalgic and Historic Amtrak Stations Still Used Today
- Thread starter 20th Century Rider
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Some stations that don't have ticket agents or baggage service often have some sort of attendant on duty. I think these are often paid for by the locality, not Amtrak. I've seen this at Essex Junction and White River Junction on the Vermonter and Huntingdon, PA on the Pennsylvanian.
Some are volunteers, I've heard.
Yes, we have one like that here in Washington. The Olympia/Lacey "Centennial" station. It is not staffed by Amtrak and no services such as ticketing or baggage claim, but is staffed by volunteers.
My point was no Amtrak services are available at GRR, despite having people around.
Have there been any situations like that for the Surfline? Where do you go to apply/sign up? Requirements?
I love these trains stations. So much character. I imagine that at one point, they served many more trains.
Seaboard92
Engineer
That is something I would argue Amtrak needs to do more of. It is such a great PR stunt to get a future generation on the rails. Deutsche Bahn still does this.
I have not done this in a few years and with Covid restrictions I am not even sure I could try a field trip this year. But I used to take my physics class (well the students that wanted to go on a weekend) to Charlotte or Raleigh from Greensboro each spring. For the vast majority of the students this was their first train ride on Amtrak. I mostly went to Raleigh as the trip was a bit shorter so the ticket was a little cheaper, and the museums in Raleigh are free whereas the science museum in Charlotte is not free and then the bus ticket from the train station to downtown adds a few more dollars. It got a bit expensive for some of the students and we needed a meal on top of all of that.
NorthShore
Conductor
It's a little more modern than most of what we might look to as classic stations, but I have affinity for the Lawrence, Kansas station, which is on the National Register of Historic Places:
https://www.greatamericanstations.com/stations/lawrence-ks-lrc/
https://www.greatamericanstations.com/stations/lawrence-ks-lrc/
BCL
Engineer
I've only been there once, and that was when I had a beer buzz going and forgot that Berkeley to Richmond was a really short trip. But a conductor (who had seen me often) wrote up a slip that I missed my stop and that I should return to Richmond. But I got to spend about a good hour or so in the Martinez station. I'd been to Martinez before and even drove by a few times (I had jury duty) but never went into the station. I guess on the outside it's somewhat contemporary red brick. Reminds me of the California State Railroad Museum. But inside it tries to evoke older train stations with a lot of wood.
On my return ride the first train there was actually a San Joaquin that was running late. And it was a train with just Comet Cars, which was a nice little treat since I'd never ridden on one before. It was interesting seeing the conductor set up the stairs. They had no problem with my note, even though it was a "reserved" train. I don't think it really matters because they typically allow Capitol Corridor riders to use their tickets as well as 10-ride tickets.
KSOC
Train Attendant
Harrisburg, PA (HAR). Took these when dropping my daughter off a few weeks ago. I thought it was nice inside. Really liked the fireplaces at either end of the lobby (no longer in use). Pennsylvania Railroad Loco and Caboose on premise. Small newsstand inside, no food vendors and not much close by. Not attractive on the outside, and bad parking options.
KSOC
Train Attendant
Harrisburg, PA
Concerning Worcester MA, before the current station was renovated there was an Amshack located underneath the I-290 overpass. I remember using it in 2001 on a trip to Philadelphia via the "inland route" Boston - Washington via Springfield. The low level platform there is still used occasionally when the MBTA has the single high level occupied.
In the category of old historic stations that I wish would be renovated and put into use I nominate Grand Junction CO.
The current Amtrak station is utilitarian but functional:
In the category of old historic stations that I wish would be renovated and put into use I nominate Grand Junction CO.
The current Amtrak station is utilitarian but functional:
neroden
Engineer
GJ has no less than two historic stations sitting next door to the current station; one is in use as offices, the other is fenced off and needs funds for reconstruction. Indeed, it should be restored for use.
The 70's--the decade where good taste went to die. See also bellbottom pants, platform shoes, etc.
Chico, CA station built in 1892. Most of it now is a museum and coffee shop. An unstaffed waiting room is all that is left. The Coast Starlight stops in the middle of the night in both directions. Tracks are on this side of the fence. The thruway bus stops on the street on the other side.
The station was shown in the 1947 film Magic Town when James Stewart's character arrives in the fictional town of Grandview. During his 1952 Vice Presidential campaign, Richard Nixon was talking on the pay phone at the station when he got the news from the campaign headquarters that he would have to respond to the Checkers issue with the "Checkers speech".
The station was shown in the 1947 film Magic Town when James Stewart's character arrives in the fictional town of Grandview. During his 1952 Vice Presidential campaign, Richard Nixon was talking on the pay phone at the station when he got the news from the campaign headquarters that he would have to respond to the Checkers issue with the "Checkers speech".
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BCL
Engineer
danasgoodstuff
OBS Chief
Portland, Oregon's Union Station I've used this since I was young, my mother used it when she was young, and her father used it when he was young.
Its' better than the old AmShack they'd been moved to for decades.
Dakota 400
Engineer
- Joined
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Your post reminds me of what happened in Columbus, Ohio. A pleasant, spacious Union Station got torn down and replaced with such an AmShack while Amtrak service was available. The site of the former station was needed to build a convention center and related businesses in the area.
Fortunately Cincinnati saved the old terminal and put it to other uses. Amtrak only uses and needs a small part, and it's effective.
danasgoodstuff
OBS Chief
The Convention Center could've been built elsewhere. the Columbus station was on the National Register of Historic Places and was demolished anyways, folks from Battelle should've gone to jail. i hope they put a new station as close as possible to that site and tell the story in full there.
And what's in it now given that trains don't go to Columbus anymore? Furthermore, when did they stop going to Columbus?
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