Bob Roberts wrote: ↑Sun Oct 20, 2019 3:30 pm
My criteria for a good station location is that it does not require a cab / uber ride to get around after arrival. GIven that I'll put the following on my 'list':
Charlotte for sure. The current station is beside the NS yard in no-man's land and it is difficult for people to access no matter the mode they use to get there. Fortunately the new downtown Gateway Station is underway and it will have a far superior location from just about everyone's perspective, but we are stuck with what we have for another 4(ish) years at least.
All of the other NCRR station locations are pretty good in terms of pedestrian accessibility to their respective downtowns.
As an out of towner I'll add Richmond Staples Mill to the list as well. I know it offers parking and is convenient for folks in the North burbs but that location has discouraged me from visiting Richmond for the past 20 years -- it was always just too much of a pain to get from the trains (coming from NC) to downtown for me to ever bother stopping. Fixing the Southern approach to RMS will fix this problem and I suspect their new BRT service may get me to visit before then.
Greenville SC and Atlanta also have stations which are in unfortunate locations for non-locals. Lindberg or even Doraville might be better choices in Atlanta than Brookwood, but its really a shame that the city gave away the Gulch site. I am not sure that Greenville can be improved at all with current track layouts.
I totally agree on South Bend (goes for the South Shore as well)
Buffalo DePew, Syracuse, Albany, Portland ME, Charleston and Savannah (not much could be done in either of last two short of terminating trains on arrival)....
Charlotte - Charlotte Gateway Station will take care of that.
Richmond Staples Mill serves as a park and ride suburban station. It works.
South Bend - Yeah the old Bendix stop needs to end, but I doubt it happens any time soon.
Atlanta - Needs a new station period. Peachtree station is a pretty poor station for a big urban area.
Buffalo Depew - We'll see what happens once the new Buffalo Exchange Street opens, but Depew, the station I use, serves good purpose with the LSL.
Syracuse - It's already downtown. No need for change.
Albany-Rensselaer - Where are you building a new stop and it wouldn't close Rensselaer period.
I didn't get into teaching for the promotions or the pension plans or so I could get to the golf course by 3:45. I did it because I wanted to help you kids. I'd forgotten that, till today. -- Principal Peter Prickly.