(rshsdepot) Rensselaer, NY Station Opens

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Rail station has historic look

By: Kate Perry, The Record September 23, 2002

RENSSELAER - After four years of construction, the Rensselaer Rail Station
opened to travelers on Sunday.

The station is located on East Street in Rensselaer and towers over the old
station. However, it is not just the stature of the building that makes the
old station look like it's coming up short.
According to Wayne Pratt, a member of the Capital District Transportation
Authority, the architects of the building were inspired by the grand train
stations of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Features such as cathedral
ceilings, a clock tower, huge windows and exposed steel structural beams
were all a part of this theme.
The station also has a large newsstand, a cafe complete with a piano player,
glass encased escalators that take passengers from the concourse to the
platform and space for offices, conference rooms and gallery shows.
The opening day went more smoothly than he had expected, Pratt said. There
were a few glitches: The first train, left about 10 minutes late but all
others were on time.
An elevator left several people stranded on the platform after the first
train departed at 6:10 a.m. and one escalator would not work. The fire alarm
also went off at about 1 p.m., but no representatives from the station were
willing to comment.
However, most of the problems were worked out during the day.
The project cost about $53 million, including the bridge built over the
tracks, a 500-car parking garage and the station itself. Pratt said that
close to $50 million of the funding came from grants.
Despite criticisms that the station project was too expensive and lavish,
Pratt said he feels that it is an asset to the area.
"Its an entrance to the Capital District. The airport is nice, as are the
roads leading into the city," he said. "Just like those places, this is the
first part of our city that many visitors see."
Theresa and Joseph Parese, who live on the corner of East Street and Wendell
Avenue, think it is the finest train station they have ever visited. That
says a lot considering that Joseph Parese was a train conductor for three
different railways, including Amtrak, until he retired in 1983.
"Its more modern, more updated, and I like the idea of the covered escalator
that takes you right to the platform," Theresa said. "That way you don't
have to lug your stuff all over the place."
Even though they take the train on a regular basis, the pair said that they
would travel more often now. The Pareses will take their first trip from the
station next week to New York City.
However, not everyone feels that the extra amenities are necessary. Will
Warner, who was passing through the station on his way home to Boston,
thinks the station's management should concentrate a little more on service
and less on luxury. He said that he could not understand the boarding
announcements coming over the loud speakers.
"I don't really care what the place looks like as long as the train gets me
from point A to point B," he said.
The station is fully operational to transport Amtrak customers now, but
construction on the building will not be completed for about another 12
months, Pratt said. When the building is done it will include a second
entrance, and a post office.


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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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