(rshsdepot) Bill Could Help Save Alabama Historic Railroad Sites

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Historic railroad bill could benefit area

By Clay Redden
The Decatur Daily
credden_@_decaturdaily.com

MONTGOMERY -- A Birmingham lawmaker said a bill he's sponsoring could help
save historic railroad sites in the state including some locally.
State Rep. Johnny Curry, R-Birmingham, said the idea for creating the
Alabama Historic Railway Commission came from an effort in Montgomery to
save an old train shed in the northern part of the city.
Curry said the commission would coordinate the preservation and displaying
of historic railroad properties and equipment and would promote historical
and educational programs related to railroads.
The commission would also operate the non-profit Old Alabama Rails. That
group is trying to save the Montgomery train shed.
While the original purpose of his bill was to help the Montgomery group,
Curry said the commission wouldn't be limited to saving historic railroad
sites in the Capital City.
"There would be no reason why it couldn't branch out to other historical
railroad sites," he said.
Many railroad depots from the days when trains were the primary long
distance transportation service in the state are still standing, including
those in Decatur and Athens. However, most have been abandoned or are
showing the effects time.
Curry said the commission won't receive any state money, but that it could
be a vehicle to raise private funds to take care of historic railroad sites
in the state.
He said he hasn't discussed his legislation with the Alabama Historical
Commission, but added that saving historic railroad sites in the state
doesn't appear to be a priority with the commission.

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