(rshsdepot) Utica, NY

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Photo links:
http://www.norwich.net/~pstrany/row/utica/ut004.jpg  (exterior streetside)
http://www.norwich.net/~pstrany/row/utica/ut002.jpg  (exterior trackside)
http://www.norwich.net/~pstrany/row/utica/ut003.jpg  (interior)
http://utica.topcities.com/v1/Union_Station-1920.jpg  (interior 1920)

Adirondack trains to roll from Union Station

June 7, 2002

By BILL FARRELL
Observer-Dispatch

UTICA - For the first time in its 10-year history, the Adirondack Scenic
Railway is able to board its passengers at Union Station.

It's an achievement worth celebrating, and that's what will happen this
morning when the Adirondack takes its inaugural run along newly renovated
tracks and platform and heads north past Remsen to Kayuta, and then back. It
's for invited guests, media, railroad personnel and volunteers.

Officials also want to showcase the new second-floor walkover that leads to
the boarding areas for the northbound Adirondack trains and for westbound
trains.

The walkover is part of a nearly $18 million federally funded renovation
project that has taken place at Union Station over the last decade.

The once majestic, then dilapidated, building is now thriving again with
county offices, including the planning and probation departments, the public
defender's criminal division and, as of next week, the Department of Motor
Vehicles.

In a sense, the Adirondack Scenic Railway has come home to where it always
was meant to be, said Tom Trencansky, a railway volunteer who helped
organize today's celebration.

Not since the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid has the Adirondack left
from Union Station, and that was only temporary. The rejuvenated railway
began operating again in 1992, but only out of Old Forge/Thendara and only
for four miles. When passengers began boarding from Utica in 1998, they had
to do so at Falvo Station, "a little temporary depot out of a trailer" just
to the west of Union Station, Trencansky said.

"It was in the middle of nowhere, but you couldn't get into Union Station
and the main line tracks," he said. Amtrak was the only passenger service
using the station.

"Now it will be a real Union Station, a true transportation center again,"
with three parallel tracks - for Amtrak, CSX freight trains and a new track
for Adirondack, he said.

Today's activities get under way at 9:30 a.m. with tourism tables and booths
from local and Adirondack attractions, and railroad equipment on display.
There also will be a portable Lionel train layout, complete with a fully
operating subway, ski slope, tunnels, bridges, towns, parks and railroad
yards. A grand opening ceremony will take place at 10, followed by the
special train run to Remsen at 11.

The public is invited to other events at the station throughout the day. And
from 5 to 8 tonight, train lovers can hop on board for free shuttle rides to
nearby Utica Marsh. Trains will leave as necessary with the last departure
set for 7:30 p.m.

Linda Smith, office manager at the Adirondack's newly renovated office at
Utica Station, was busy this week fine-tuning the new gift shop.

"Having passengers board here will bring a true sense of the railroad to
this building. There's a lot of history here, a reminder of years gone by,"
she said.

Today's inaugural train will feature two newly renovated and painted
1950-era diesel locomotives back to back. That's 3,000 horsepower.

"These are our pride and joy, the kind of locomotive you saw as a kid, with
a rounded front end and a large headlight on the nose," Trencansky said.

Trencansky said it will be a couple more years before the entire 141 miles
of track between Utica and Lake Placid are up to "minimum federal standards"
to make it safe for passenger trains.

But back to today. From 11 a.m. through 7:30 p.m., Union Station will remain
busy. The Children's Museum is offering extended hours and reduced
admission. An old car cruise-in at Union Station is scheduled from 5 to 7:30
p.m., and there will be musicians and a band at Station Restaurant and
Martini Bar inside Union Station.

Station Restaurant owner Owner John Adasek is thrilled at the prospect of a
bustling Union Station.

"It will be a huge boost to business." Adasek said he's been doing well
since opening his business last October. "There will literally be about a
thousand people through the station each week, and that's outstanding
exposure."

Bernie Wagenblast
Transportation Communications Newsletter
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications/

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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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