(rshsdepot) Privately owned train stations lag: Conditions poor compared to city-owned depots

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

From the Tallahassee Democrat.

Bernie Wagenblast
Transportation Communications Newsletter

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Privately owned train stations lag: Conditions poor compared to city-owned 
depots


By Danielle De Pari


Pieces of wood fall from the Kissimmee Amtrak station`s overhang. Paint 
peels off Orlando`s Spanish-mission-style passenger depot. Potholes welcome 
visitors to DeLand`s train station, which lacks a sign.

Across Central Florida, there`s a big difference in the condition of train 
stations owned by railroad giant CSX and those owned by their host cities. 
City-owned stations in Winter Park and Lakeland are in good condition, while 
CSX-owned depots need renovations and repair, sometimes badly.

Sanford`s passenger station is closing Monday because Amtrak complains CSX 
refuses to do the work necessary to keep it up.

CSX argues that while it owns the station buildings in DeLand, Sanford, 
Orlando, Kissimmee and Winter Haven, Amtrak leases those depots and is 
responsible for their upkeep.

Passengers note the disrepair and lack of upgrades, and many are unhappy 
about it.

Dave Robinson of St. Cloud, who has had both legs amputated, was upset to 
find last week that Kissimmee`s station does not have disabled access.

``They had to carry me in the chair into the place,`` he said while waiting 
to board a train to Virginia. ``I`m sure I`m not the only handicapped person 
in town who uses it.``

An Amtrak station agent said the building was ``grandfathered in`` when the 
Americans with Disabilities Act was passed and is exempt from being forced 
to install a ramp. The ADA says buildings constructed before 1992 are 
required to make a reasonable attempt to comply with the law unless the cost 
is prohibitive. Such buildings must be brought into compliance when they are 
sold or remodeled.

Additionally, hurricanes damaged the Kissimmee station`s overhang roof.

Still, Diane English of Clermont uses it regularly to travel to Savannah, 
Ga., for weekend getaways.

``There is less traffic, and I don`t have to drive,`` she said. ``As far as 
the station itself, it could be upgraded. But the people are friendly and 
courteous.``

The DeLand station also is run-down, but the county in 2004 approved using a 
$424,000 state grant for renovation.

Built in 1918, the station looks rusty and has peeling paint. It caught fire 
in 1982 and has never really recovered, said Tom Scofield, county historic 
preservation planner.

Half the building had to be sectioned off because of fire damage. Temporary 
repairs were made in the late 1980s, but they were never meant to be 
permanent, Scofield said.

``The bathrooms have been a nightmare forever,`` he added.

The parking lot is full of potholes, and there is no sign telling travelers 
they`ve arrived at the station - only two bent metal poles on the side of 
the property.

David Johnson, assistant director of the National Association of Railroad 
Passengers, said national funding for Amtrak has been stagnant since about 
2001.

``It is a lack of commitment to rail investment in the country,`` he said. 
``They would never allow Orlando International Airport to get in this 
condition.``

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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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