(rshsdepot) Princeton, IL

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

From the Journal Star; Peoria, IL

Train Depot Gets Back on Track - 93-Year-Old Hub Dodges Wrecking Ball With
Funds From City, Amtrak, IDOT

PRINCETON - Community members and public officials gathered Friday at the
city's 93-year-old train depot to pay tribute to the years of effort to
restore the site, which once faced the wrecking ball.
Several years ago, there was talk of tearing down the depot and building a
new one, said Princeton Mayor Keith Cain, but he and a group of others
pushed for its rehabilitation.

"I started on this one a decade ago. I wanted to see it cleaned up. I'm very
proud of it now," Cain said.

In 1998, Princeton joined with Amtrak and the Illinois Department of
Transportation to begin a $665,000 overhaul of the station's building and
platforms. IDOT anted up 41 percent of the funding, Amtrak picked up 20
percent and the city of Princeton paid the rest.

The some 14,500 passengers who arrive and depart from the Princeton station
every year can now enjoy the refurbished depot, which has a new roof and
gutters, new brickwork and upgraded restrooms. The platforms have new
lighting and canopy improvements. Landscaping around the depot and new
railings are expected to be completed by November.

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said he believes the improvements are already
paying off. In the past fiscal year, Amtrak has seen an increase of about 15
percent in ridership at the Princeton station.

The Princeton station marks the beginning destination for travelers around
the region. Amtrak riders from the Peoria area, the Quad Cities and even
Wisconsin regularly choose Princeton to embark on their journey.

Such was the case for Molly Lee of Moline, who waited for a train Friday for
a trip to Chicago. She said at only an hour's drive, the Princeton station
is the closest Amtrak station.

"It's a lot more convenient than driving all the way," said Lee.

Three Chicago-bound trains serve the Princeton station as they head east.
Heading west, the routes finish in Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay and
Quincy.

Princeton resident Leon Frank, who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony
Friday, said he sometimes travels Amtrak out west, especially in the winter
because "it is a lot better than trying to drive."

Frank said the depot is a nice touch to the city and should be enjoyable for
the many riders who pass through Princeton. "There is always someone
standing out here when it is about time for the train to come by," he said.

Magliari said Amtrak helps cities as much as possible to revamp their
stations, adding a welcoming station is crucial to Amtrak's success.

"If there is a good market and a good station, we'll stop. If there's a good
market and not a good station, we may not stop," Magliari said.

Ray Lang, Amtrak's governmental affairs director, said the station should
make Princeton and Bureau County proud.

"For Amtrak, our train stations are our front doors. For our passengers,
they are our first and last impressions. We think this station is
beautiful," Lang said.

Magliari commended IDOT for its support for Amtrak. He said without its
support, the depot restoration would not have been possible. IDOT also
subsidies short-distance, in-state routes with about $12 millions a year, an
IDOT spokesman said.

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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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