Station Developments

Ashland, VA, the crumple zone of the Northeast Corridor.

The picture below shows the planned pedestrian improvement, delayed but shortly to be under construction. I'm not sure people who haven't seen it would believe the current walkways. There are several of them, at the station and adjacent college. They appear to be bits and pieces of wooden railroad tie pressed into the trackbed, though I didn't examine them too closely.

The station building is no great shakes. It was already closed when I visited at 6pm, just as a Northeast Regional stopped by. Through the windows it looked cramped, with a disused 1930s water fountain, and doubling as a visitor's center.

As is well known on these forums, the town and county said no to improving the NEC in Ashland, and no to building a bypass. The funding for the new at-grade pax crossing is therefor local.

The Ashland situation is no more quaint than the zigzag route the NEC takes north of Fredericksburg. Before the Civil War there was no track to D.C. - passengers took a ferry from a river east of Freddy - and maybe that's why it was built that way.

Ashland station improvements are almost completed. The improvements you mention were target at accessibility improvements including slightly higher platforms and a wheelchair lift.

That ped crossing is not in place. It's still bits of wood.

‘It’s A Joke’: Passengers, Critics Call For Overhaul Of Pittsburgh’s Amtrak Station

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan includes a major cash infusion for Amtrak, and critics say Pittsburgh’s station is long overdue for a makeover

Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian pulls into the station at 7:40 p.m. where departing passengers may find a deflating surprise — a broken escalator and a flight of steps leading to a small, windowless waiting room under florescent light and a stained drop ceiling.

“This doesn’t look like a train station,” said Dinesh Nair of Peters Township.

The waiting room has few amenities. No bar, no restaurant, no food except for what you might find in vending machines. Nair waits for his arriving daughter, disappointed in the gateway to Pittsburgh for rail passengers.

“No, I’ve been to other train stations. This is not like any of them. If someone is stepping into Pittsburgh, this isn’t what they should be seeing,” he said.

Having traveled from Pittsburgh... yes, the station could use a lot of renovation:

• Add three tracks: One freight-only outer track (total of two) and two platform tracks.
• Make one platform a high-platform for the Pennsylvanian.
• Make one platform low (for Capitol Limited)
• Add more trains to justify moving the station's waiting area.
• Rent out half of the Pennsylvanian Apartments' lower floor (near beauty salon) and put the station waiting room there. Add a Hudson Newsstand.

...in fact, what *is* that status of the Pennsylvanian Apartments?

STrRedWolf wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 6:20 am ‘It’s A Joke’: Passengers, Critics Call For Overhaul Of Pittsburgh’s Amtrak Station

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan includes a major cash infusion for Amtrak, and critics say Pittsburgh’s station is long overdue for a makeover

Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian pulls into the station at 7:40 p.m. where departing passengers may find a deflating surprise — a broken escalator and a flight of steps leading to a small, windowless waiting room under florescent light and a stained drop ceiling.

“This doesn’t look like a train station,” said Dinesh Nair of Peters Township.

The waiting room has few amenities. No bar, no restaurant, no food except for what you might find in vending machines. Nair waits for his arriving daughter, disappointed in the gateway to Pittsburgh for rail passengers.

“No, I’ve been to other train stations. This is not like any of them. If someone is stepping into Pittsburgh, this isn’t what they should be seeing,” he said.

Having traveled from Pittsburgh... yes, the station could use a lot of renovation:

• Add three tracks: One freight-only outer track (total of two) and two platform tracks.
• Make one platform a high-platform for the Pennsylvanian.
• Make one platform low (for Capitol Limited)
• Add more trains to justify moving the station's waiting area.
• Rent out half of the Pennsylvanian Apartments' lower floor (near beauty salon) and put the station waiting room there. Add a Hudson Newsstand.

...in fact, what *is* that status of the Pennsylvanian Apartments?

And if number of trains are increased (wonder if that new Pat train will ever happen?), reactivate the Light rail station across the busway.

Who owns the building ? Who is the rental agent that Amtrak deals with ? Are there any other middle men involved ? How is the rental agreement written. Does it require permission for any revisions , remodeling, Etc. ?

Amtrak may have its hands tied to be able to disclose any of these things due to non disclosure clauses.
Non disclosures might be to prevent other tenants to know the amounts paid by Amtrak. It probably would be best if the city started proceedings for information on the restrictions for any remodel. It may take a non Amtrak entity to get court orders if any of the above is in effect.

STrRedWolf wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 6:20 am ...in fact, what *is* that status of the Pennsylvanian Apartments?

Open for lease as luxury apartments.

R36 Combine Coach wrote: ↑Sat May 15, 2021 9:06 pm

STrRedWolf wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 6:20 am ...in fact, what *is* that status of the Pennsylvanian Apartments?

Open for lease as luxury apartments.

That... doesn't sound like a good place to put luxury apartments. Maybe a hotel?

Newport News, VA, station coming along. Out of the coal zone and into the suburban zone! I walked around the surrounding area more this time and found it's a mix of big box stores and new apartment/condo residential. There's a walking trail around a pond across the interstate from the new station. Sign: "do not swim, deep holes."

Views towards downtown, soon to be freight only, and towards the parallel I-64.

STrRedWolf wrote: ↑Sun May 16, 2021 7:15 am

R36 Combine Coach wrote: ↑Sat May 15, 2021 9:06 pm

STrRedWolf wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 6:20 am ...in fact, what *is* that status of the Pennsylvanian Apartments?

Open for lease as luxury apartments.

That... doesn't sound like a good place to put luxury apartments. Maybe a hotel?

There are very few apartments of any type in the Golden Triangle or nearby so this counts as luxury. The website for it sounds nice.

Maryland's Congress critters submit their funding requests.

Of relevant note:

PROJECT TITLE: Baltimore Penn Station Multi-Modal Access Project

Location: Baltimore, MD

Recipient Name: Maryland Department of Transportation

Project Purpose: Funds will be used for sweeping renovations to Baltimore Penn Station in order to improve transportation for residents and visitors. Updates will provide for dedicated bus lanes, new pick up and drop off zones, bike lanes and storage, public plazas and green spaces, and kiosks to provide transit riders with information about community and multimodal options. Improved connection to the station from the surrounding communities will also improve economic development opportunities for Baltimore City, allowing City residents and neighborhoods improved access to numerous jobs along the MARC Penn Line and the Northeast Corridor and to tourists and visitors that come to Baltimore by train.

Amount Requested: $1 million - $10 million

Ardmore station is currently having temporary platforms constructed just west of the current station site. Assuredly when these are done the demolition of the existing structure can take place.

Coatesville station placed out for bidding by PennDOT. https://www.dailylocal.com/local-news/c ... c99e6.html

Track layout for new Newport News terminal Amtrak station next year. They're moving earth for the wye now I think. From: https://wydaily.com/local-news/2019/01/ ... heres-why/

Baltimore Penn Station just broke ground for redevelopment of the station.
https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2021-10- ... evelopment

Baltimore City and state officials broke ground Friday on the redevelopment of Baltimore’s historic Penn Station. Amtrak, which owns the station, is pouring $150 million into the project.

Amtrak President Stephen Gardner said this project demonstrates Amtrak’s dedication to the future of Baltimore.

“We are going to redevelop this station, and with that create an expanded opportunity for future growth and ridership, a vastly improved customer experience and revitalized civic space that's woven into the fabric of this great community,” he said.