(rshsdepot) Topeka, KS

[I95BERNIEW_@_aol.com]

From today's Topeka Capital Journal.
 
 
Bernie Wagenblast
 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
BNSF makes station upgrades

By Michael Hooper  
Ron Dean thinks passenger train service is vital to America. That is why he  
has worked behind the scenes to encourage Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. 
to  fix up the Amtrak station in downtown Topeka.  
Dean retired a year ago from BNSF after 36 years of railroad work.  
With the help of radio talk show host Jim Cates, the Greater Topeka Chamber  
of Commerce and BNSF, Dean was able to generate interest in improving the 
Amtrak  station at S.E. 5th and Holliday. Cates gave him a forum on KMAJ-AM 1440. 
During  the show, they got help from Doug Kinsinger, president and chief 
executive  officer of the chamber.  
They forwarded their concerns to Charlotte Alderson, a BNSF employee in the  
Kansas City area, who replied via e-mail saying, ``We are addressing those  
issues, and you should see some improvements within the next couple of weeks.``  
``When we got together and discussed it on the `Jim Cates Show,` that`s when  
things started to develop,`` Dean said. ``Doug Kinsinger got involved and 
found  the person we needed to go to.``  
Steve Forsberg, spokesman for BNSF, said the roof had leaked and damaged some 
 ceiling tiles. After repairing the roof, he said workers would repair the  
damaged tiles and broken windows. Workers also are painting the interior of the 
 train depot. Ideally, Forsberg said, the repairs will be complete by the end 
of  the month.  
Dean said that he was pleased the station has a new drinking fountain and  
that new light bulbs were installed in the Amtrak sign outside.  
``I think people got complacent,`` he said.  
John Mills, a former Amtrak district manager, also wrote letters about the  
issue, Dean said.  
Amtrak ticket agent Richard Mercer works overnight on weekdays. The station  
is open from midnight to 7:45 a.m. Monday through Friday. Trains come through 
at  about 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.  
Dean said two weeks ago he took a train from Topeka to Naperville, Ill., to  
see the fall foliage. The trip to Chicago allows the passenger to see the  
countryside through Missouri, Iowa and Illinois.  
``The colors were real nice, but they weren`t any better than in Topeka.  
Topeka is looking nice right now,`` he said.  
He said another great trip is to St. Louis from Kansas City along the  
Missouri River.  
A nice trip to the west is to Flagstaff, Ariz., he said. A lot of people get  
off and go to the Grand Canyon or Phoenix, he said. The train goes all the 
way  to Los Angeles with connections to San Francisco or Seattle.  
Dean said once station upgrades are complete, he would like to see a grand  
opening ceremony with railroad and community leaders.  
``We should protect the last mode of transportation out of Topeka, the  
capital of Kansas, that connects with the rest of the United States,`` Dean  said. 
``I would encourage all elected officials to do what they can to keep  Amtrak 
alive in Kansas and across the rest of the  country."

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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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