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There have been many stories the past couple years about grandiose plans to transform the station and surrounding area. But this article from the Washington Post sounds like there are more immediate plans that might actually happen. I particularly like the part about the glass walls:
In a design Amtrak released Tuesday, the station’s north wall on the concourse level will be pushed back to add another 20,000 square feet of space and bring new restrooms, boarding gates, seating, an Amtrak police station and ClubAcela lounge. Passengers would be able to look out on the train tracks through a glass wall.
But I thought Amtrak was struggling financially. Yet this sounds like they've come up with $50 million for this project that will start next year.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Sounds like Union Station will get a much needed face lift, Mr. Palmland. I went to a TRAINS article..it mentioned they need to complete an H street bridge, which will allow passenger access to an overnight parking lot. I like the glass wall lookout and the Club Acela idea. They say 2019 before final completion.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Anyone who holds that Wash needs a face lift now, should have seen it circa 1976. Possibly Mr. Palmland can recall its state back then; guarantee you I can.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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GBN, I don't remember the early 70's as being that bad. Sure, maintenance was needed but the main hall/ waiting room was inviting and the concourse for the train gates was spacious. Then came the National Park's 'pit' as they tried to make it a visitor center. That was followed by Amtrak' 'improvements' to the waiting area and the shopping mall.
Maybe someone has finally figured out that the main purpose of the building is to be a train station.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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How say when the "train station", during the Visitor Center era, was an enclosed "Greyhound" structure with plastic seating built on the East Side of the Upper Level platforms?
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I worked in DC on WMATA from 1972 to 1978 and was through Union Station many times. The stuff done in the name of the National Visitors Center was awful. Plus, the thing they did not do was deal with structural maintenance issues. That is, the roof leaked and after much of the work done for the Visitors Center fell on its face what was left was damaged by roof leakage. Meanwhile passengers for the south end of what was supposed to be the premier passenger train corridor in the country were left with the most el cheapo of facilities. And, oh yeah, did anyone mention that all the upper level tracks were shortened by about 2 car lengths?
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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My first visit to Washington Union Station was in 1975. My mother and I arrived there from Salisbury, NC aboard Southern Railway #6. There was dust everywhere...... and the sound of jackhammers...... and plywood walls protecting a huge hole in the ground where a new visitors center would feature a multimedia presentation.
The place was awful.
I liked it better a few years later because the mostly vacant visitor center was much quieter.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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