Charleston is a big tourist destination and Amtrak would do well to provide a Thruway bus connection from this (still in a somehwhat seedy area of north Charleston) to the major hotels and visitor center downtown.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
Interesting, Mr. Palmland, how the plan envisions replicating the former Union Station.
I note the article says the Union Station burned during 1947, but I thought that the ACL had moved out to the existing Amtrak facility pre-WWII.
Can anyone perfect these dates?
notelvis Member # 3071
posted
Palmland,
I'm encouraged by this article and I also like how elements from the former station are included.
I'm curious about a few things -
1) How near would this be to the present Amtrak Station? I note that the street remains the same and you observed that the neighborhood would still be seedy.
2) How much intercity bus service remains in Charleston? I note that they have space for Southeast Stages but not for Greyhound. I've kept an eye on the intercity bus industry which has been, for the last 20 years, in a retrenchment that remsembles rail passenger service in the 1960's.
3) Would the local transet system serve this station also? It seems that there would not be much interest from vendors in the called for retail space unless there was a steady stream of local citizenry passing through during the day and not just at train time.
palmland Member # 4344
posted
David - Thanks for prompting me to pull out the archives. In looking at CSX and city street detail - this is a good location, although still 8 miles or so from downtown.
From a railroad standpoint, the current station on CSX north-south line is at MP 387.7. Heading south from there, the Andrews Sub (former SAL freight line to Hamlet) connects (switch pointed south) at 387.9 (this make it possible to use this line for commuter service without a reverse move), then there is a wye for the intermodal terminal at 388. At 388.4 the tail track from the NS yard crosses CSX and continues towards downtown. Would require a new leg of a wye, but could now connect from NS to CSX south without a reverse move (ie, Columbia-Charleston-Savannah). Also, with track work, could be used for a route downtown. Immediately after this is CSX's large Bennett freight yard. The new station would be located just south of this at about 393. From here on its mainline to Savannah.
From a highway standpoint, the station would be located at the intersection of Dorchester and Montague. This is also an exit location for the Charleston Beltway (I-526) and about two miles from the interchange to I-26 to Columbia and Downtown. This would make it easy for those in the suburbs and beach resorts (like Kiawah and Seabrook) to get to the station without using city streets.
The area is definitely better than present location - mostly strip malls and nearby office parks and hotels.
The project apparently is an effort of CARTA, the local transit company, to find a new headquarters office as well as consolidate all transit function. Transit (and tourist buses) appear to be alive and well in Charleston. It's also within 3 or 4 miles of the airport.
Southeastern Stages is a separate company (I see them in Camden) but if you check Greyhound schedules they list the service for Charleston (and Camden) but say 'operated by SES'.
The surprising thing about this is that they (CARTA) already own the land, have qualified the bidders, and have identified funding sources.
Time for the Carolina Special!
GBN- There may have been an earlier ACL station, but '47 sounds right for the fire mentioned. Until the current station was built, the old train shed downtown remained with coaches used for waiting and ticket areas. The long one way trip down the peninsula to downtown was the main reason to use north Charleston.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
Interesting to learn, Mr. Palmland, that the existing Charleston station was early POST War, vice PRE.
The structure, which I once saw by light of day from a 15 HOUR late SB Auto Train, resembles one big Yellow Brink - surprising that Coast Line ever signed on to such an eyesore - guess they figured 'anyone who was anyone' would not see it by light of day from the Champs or Special.
Of course, a similar one was built at Sanford from which Tampa and Naples (but not St Pete) passengers could observe such.
amtrak92 Member # 14343
posted
I'm glad they are getting a new station, I have waited for a train in Charleston and I found it too small for the amount of people. If I'm right it is the busiest in South Carolina
sojourner Member # 3134
posted
I'm glad Charleston is getting a new station too, but it's still too far from downtown for my liking. I believe intercity trains, whenever possible, should connect the main parts of town (I won't say downtown because in some cities it's "midtown"!) not to mention should have a bit of majesty to them--as they did in the old days. I am glad to see there will be some attempt at the latter! I understand there are some water-borne reasons why maybe the track couldn't go all the way down into Charleston, but certain it could go further south. Taxi fares are very high to the current station, and even if there is public transportation, it's not a viable option at night. OTOH, a reliable shuttle bus as in Emeryville/San Francisco would be great. Maybe a tourist tourbus might operate it--combine it for interested passengers with a ghost tour, or something like that!
I took a public bus in Charleston (in the daytime) into a rundown neighborhood to visit a used book store. It took a very long time, and I got to see the terrible poverty outside the tourist area--interesting, but sad too.
I've taken the train into and out of Charleston twice, always coming and going in the dark (it was winter), so I never saw the exterior of the station. One time there had been a fundraiser for John Edwards in Charleston (my, how times change!)--not 2008 but the time he ran before, 2004, wasn't it? Some of the organizers from that fundraiser were waiting for the train heading for FL--that's the train I was taking too--AND the Super Bowl was still on. There was a TV in the station, and everyone was watching the game--it was very lively with everyone yelling and cheering (can't remember who was playing).
palmland Member # 4344
posted
I missed this when it came out last fall. Looks like the new station is a done deal if you can believe this.
notelvis Member # 3071
posted
Two items -
Looking more closely at the plan, there is an awful lot of space allocated for a baggage room for the intercity bus operations. This space is mostly unneccessary now because Greyhound requires passengers to carry their own tagged luggage out to the bus and then claim it bus side at destination. There are no baggage handlers and no need for that much space.
Second item - the reader comments reveal much about what an uphill battle supporters of passenger rail..... or any sort of mass transit...... face in South Carolina.
palmland Member # 4344
posted
quote:Originally posted by notelvis: Two items -
Looking more closely at the plan, there is an awful lot of space allocated for a baggage room for the intercity bus operations. This space is mostly unneccessary now because Greyhound requires passengers to carry their own tagged luggage out to the bus and then claim it bus side at destination. There are no baggage handlers and no need for that much space.
Second item - the reader comments reveal much about what an uphill battle supporters of passenger rail..... or any sort of mass transit...... face in South Carolina.
Very true, David. But then I'm not sure the attitude is limited to SC. I'm afraid, thanks to the very vocal support of the current administration, that the backlash to that makes passenger rail very much a political lightning rod.
Perhaps Amtrak did better when it flew under the political radar screen, in spite of the recent influx of fedibucks.
As to that unused bus baggage space, how about a first class lounge!
notelvis Member # 3071
posted
First class lounge? Love it!!!!!
amtrak92 Member # 14343
posted
It looks like it will be a good station. But I wouldn't hold my breath, as our governor would veto any funding for that. So i wouldn't think of that. But for all passenger rail supporters it is up hill here.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
Oh well, at least this was not Nikki's campaign song; maybe her predecessor.
amtrak92 Member # 14343
posted
I love that, that just made my day. I don't like the current governor. I helped her opponent, and I had the chance to talk to him, and we talked about rail, I wonder if he remembers
notelvis Member # 3071
posted
Good work 92!!!!!
I hold strong political preferences as well but would hate to see anyone carted away in the middle of the night.
amtrak92 Member # 14343
posted
I would too. Now not sure if the current governor is rail friendly. I know Sheheen was. Part of the reason I supported him. I will support anyone who is for Amtrak. And or a new train station somewhere
posted