Trainspotting
City Transportation Director Jin Westmoreland says that Amtrak passenger service definitely will return to the downtown Depot on Oct. 1.
The schedules have been locked in, he says. That means a grand tradition will return to the grand old station.
If you haven't seen the restored passenger station, it's magnificent -- the most impressive in the state.
Comments (9)
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Good news, indeed. I love train stations, and I love that one especially.
Posted on September 5, 2005 10:12 PM
Good news! Trains make me happy!
Now can we work on getting the buses into the neighborhoods and not just along the major thoroughfares? Some of us would ride them if we didn't have to drive our cars several miles to get to a bus stop.
Posted on September 5, 2005 11:37 PM
Goody, the train is going to run, eventually. Do you think they might work on the fares a bit, they seem a bit high. Do you think they also might get not only an express to Raleigh but a shuttle to where ever so that if I want to get off in Burlington or someother town for a few hours of business or pleasure and then board again to go on to Raleigh I could do so without buying another overpriced ticket.
Trains in the US are a farce and have been since the end of the 50's. When, no if is more likely, the US would ever get a system such as Europe has , more folks would utilize the train, but then that ain't gonna happen anytime in this lifetime.
Until then, I'll drive my gas hog truck, it's still cheaper and faster than the train.
Posted on September 6, 2005 9:49 AM
This may be Pollyannish (I am a train buff) but I think the state's commitment to passenger railroads will pay off with improved ridership between major cities in the state.
Improvements to existing track, additions of double tracks and upgrades of terminals like the Depot should make train travel more than a quaint diversion.
Posted on September 6, 2005 1:54 PM
Allen, I won't be holding my breath until all this happens even though I wish it would. I loved the trains in Europe and traveled everywhere on them. Seldom needed or used a car except for special trips. Trains were on time, cheap, and comfortable.
I'm trying Allen, but I haven't figured out where the money is going to come from. We have one of the highest gas taxes in the country and can't even keep the roads fixed. I remember the days when NC had the best roads in the south. Where's the money to fix the rails going to come from. Santa Claus doesn't carry tracks that big in his sack. HO HO HO HO.
Posted on September 6, 2005 9:43 PM
yay I love the train. The depot kinda creeped me out the last time I was down there, picking up an old friend on Greyhound.
I hope the city does something to make sure that beautiful place isn't as scary as the Raleigh Train Depot.
Posted on September 7, 2005 12:12 PM
Why did it creep you out? Please explain.
Posted on September 7, 2005 1:21 PM
Well, perhaps it was the homeless people who were sitting and laying against the walls inside and out. Or maybe it was that a few of them actually got up and approached me for money.
Seemed like a big area without much security. At least from a female's perspective who was alone, and left her gat in the car.
Posted on September 7, 2005 3:34 PM
My Daddy loved trains, and Greensboro was always a good place to watch them. A restored, working railroad depot is a beautiful thing.
I'm glad they're coming back . . . about time:):):)
Posted on September 8, 2005 9:02 AM