(rshsdepot) Dunsmuir, California

["Bernie Wagenblast" <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Amtrak depot improvements moving forward
Mt. Shasta News


Work on the Dunsmuir Amtrak Depot and the award of a $10,000 grant from the
James Irvine Foundation were among the main issues discussed during last
Wednesday`s Dunsmuir Railroad Depot Historical Society meeting.

Society president Rita Green informed members present that the permit needed
for work to begin on a handicap access ramp and necessary renovation of the
restroom facility had been received from the city of Dunsmuir.

With the permit in hand, it was pointed out that bids could now go out for a
licensed contractor to do the work. Green said she would like to see some
type of reasonable time-line developed for completion of each phase of the
work that is being done.

While the main entrance to the depot would have to be closed when the
handicap ramp is constructed to allow the cement to set, it was pointed out
that the facility could still

remain open for passengers by utilizing the side door on the south side of
the building.

Green also reported on a $10,000 grant that the society has received from
the James Irvine Foundation to be used for specific purposes such as
historic preservation and a museum that had been awarded to the society.

In addition, Green said the foundation has indicated that it will be
providing the society with an additional grant of $10,000.

Green reported that she was drafting a letter to be sent to the James Irvine
Foundation in Sacramento, thanking them for the grant.

When asked about the foundation, Green said, ``The only thing I know is they
don`t provide grants for government agencies.``

It was reported that the Irvine family owns property in Orange County and
provide assistance to organizations they feel provide a benefit to the
community.

It was suggested during last Wednesday`s meeting that the grant funds could
be used for a railroad-theme museum that could be set up in the adjoining
room to the Amtrak waiting room.

It was pointed out that museum pieces, which could be attached to upright
stands, could be viewed through the reinforced wire glass between the two
rooms. This would prevent having to keep the museum manned while still
providing viewing access to the public.

Green, who approached the Dunsmuir City Council with the idea at its meeting
Friday, said she would discuss the idea with council member John Fisher who
heads the Dunsmuir Museum Committee about bringing some historic railroad
items out of storage.

Green also reported on a recent dinner meeting with Amtrak officials, Joe
McHugh, Vice President of Government Affairs in Washington, D.C., and Tyrone
Bland, Director, Government Affairs West in Oakland. Among those in
attendance at the meeting were Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors LaVada
Erickson and Bill Hoy.

Green said the two Amtrak officials had breakfast the next morning with city
officials.

The meeting was to discuss the relationship between the city, which is the
only Amtrak stop in Siskiyou County, and Amtrak.

Green said the meeting went well and that Amtrak has offered to give the
society and city an old passenger rail car if Union Pacific would be willing
to allow it to sit on a siding.

While Amtrak officials suggested the possibility of using the car as a
depot, Green said she did not feel that the society should ``go back to the
start`` after it has received the needed permit to do the work on the depot
building.

``My personal feeling is that we need to move forward with what we`ve got,``
Green said. ``We have to look at how long it took the city to get a lease
from UP for the building and how long it took us to get a permit from the
city. I think we should go forward with what we have now. That`s my
feelings.``

Those present concurred.

It was suggested that the old passenger car could be accepted and used for
other purposes, such as a museum.

Society member Bruce Petty said the car should be looked at before being
accepted, saying that many cars that are given away by the railroad are in
``pretty bad shape.``

``We need to make sure that we see what it looks like first,`` Petty said.
``The idea is nice but a lot of these old cars need a lot of repairs.``

It was also reported during last Wednesday`s meeting that the society will
take part in this year`s Railroad Days festivities, including taking part in
the annual parade and keeping the Amtrak depot manned.

The next meeting Dunsmuir Railroad Depot Historical Society meeting will be
held on May 5th.

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

------------------------------