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I remember seeing a photo in a book of a large western station with a bright red lit Rio Grande sign. I think the station itself was architecturally interesting too. Does this station and/or sign still survive (although I suppose it could be one of many), and which station am I thinking of (or which ones)?
I thought it was Denver, CO, but I went there last year and the nearest they had was a "Travel by train" sign.
Thanks
Geoff Mayo.
barrydraper Member # 737
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I believe you are remembering the station in Salt Lake City. It is no longer the Amtrak stop, but I believe the building has been saved as a museum. Not sure about the sign. I hope they saved it, it sure was beautiful!
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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You're probably right. I have travelled through there but, as it was in the middle of the night, I wasn't awake for all of the way in/out of the city. Shame the trains don't stop there anymore - perhaps they could do a Cincinnati and have one room off to one side of the museum for Amtrak? Better than an Amshack!
Thanks
Geoff Mayo.
John B. Bredin Member # 109
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"perhaps they could do a Cincinnati and have one room off to one side of the museum for Amtrak? Better than an Amshack!"
I don't think Amtrak is in an Amshack in Salt Lake City. IIRC, they DO use an old historic station, but it's the Union Pacific station, shield logo and all.
ChrisJ Member # 320
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John, Salt Lake City IS an Amshack. I was just there in March. It's near the old Rio Grande station. And the red sign is still there. The UP station is a few blocks away, as I remember, and not used by Amtrak. Chris
barrydraper Member # 737
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You must remember that Amtrak doesn't actually own any stations. Before Amtrak many stations were owned by the railroads themselves, and others were owned by the local city. After Amtrak took over passenger service from the railroads, they naturally wanted to make the most from the valueable downtown land the the stations were on. At least Salt Lake has saved the building. In the particular case of Salt Lake, the tracks were moved away from the old stations to eliminate multiple grade crossings in the downtown area, and Amtrak does need tracks to run on.
reggierail Member # 26
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Up until a couple of years ago, Amtrak used part of the Rio Grande station as the ticket & waiting area. The main part of the station is the Utah railway museum. The new Amshak is several blocks away, further from downtown. That wouldn't really matter since due to the arrival times in Salt Lake City, you wouldn't want to do much wandering around anyway. The signs still there & last I saw still lit up at night. Yours Reggie
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John B. Bredin Member # 109
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So what IS in the old UP station? It looks to be in good shape from what little I've seen.
reggierail Member # 26
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Last time I was in SLC I tried to see inside the UP Station but was unable to. It seems like it has been converted to UP office space. Reggie
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