(rshsdepot) Anniston, AL

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

From The Associated Press.


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

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Anniston counts on funds to save old Norfolk Southern station
14 February 2005

Anniston officials are confident a federal grant will restore the old 
Norfolk Southern train station bought by the city in 2001 for $55,000.

Mayor Chip Howell told the City Council last week he had a letter from Gov. 
Bob Riley saying the city will receive $445,600 from the federal 
transportation enhancement fund to finish the project.

``We`re optimistic it will be enough,`` Howell said.

The Crescent Line stops twice daily in Anniston.

Henry Gilliland, a station volunteer, said he`s there most days to greet the 
blue-nosed train as it rounds the bend near the Amtrak stop.

``It`s just a relaxing, comfortable way to travel,`` Gilliland said.

The train makes a brief stop before moving on to Birmingham.

Restoration is expected to include converting the station into a new 
multimodal transportation facility. The building would house both the city`s 
bus system and Amtrak _ if the passenger train service survives President 
Bush`s budget-cutting proposal.

Work inside the two-building railway station is already under way. When the 
rear building is finished, restoration will begin on the front building, 
which will become a hub for city transit, said Scott Barksdale, executive 
director for the Spirit of Anniston.

``It`s really coming along,`` he said of the restoration.

When Norfolk Southern moves into the rear of the building, the front part 
will be converted to a waiting area for travelers and will include a snack 
area, Barksdale said.

A restaurant could be added later, if Norfolk Southern vacates the rear 
offices.

Besides Amtrak and city buses, Barksdale said he`d like Greyhound to move to 
the station.

City Council member Ben Little said he hopes the new hub will serve as a 
catalyst for development of his ward`s Mount Zion community.

``With the train station being remodeled, it will help that area 
tremendously,`` Little said.

Little said he would like the city to develop a small shopping center near 
the multimodal facility.

Barksdale said there have been some preliminary talks about improving 
lighting and signage on Noble Street near the train station. The project 
wouldn`t be like the Streetscape project, he said, but would serve as a link 
between downtown and the station.

Little said a polished neighborhood, shopping developments and a restored 
train station, he hopes Amtrak passengers might stop in Anniston rather than 
pass through.

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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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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #1085
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org