chuckography

A "Training" update

 More than a year ago, I was dropping a buddy off to catch a train at the Amtrak station in North Charleston.

We both remarked how tired the station looked.

Not a great first image of the Holy City.

But, good news was in the works. Ground had been broken for the long-awaited new station.

 Even better, it was designed to be a multiple transportation hub.

Not only trains but also buses, airport shuttles and - hopefully - quick bus rides to downtown and Summerville.

Most cities have a quick and relatively inexpensive link between downtown and its airport.

Cabs have been the only choice I am aware of right now. Maybe Uber or Lyft too?

The new modern transportation hub should be a welcome change when it opens around the first of the year.

A staffer in the station said rains had slowed progress but they had been told they probably would pack up and move to the new station January or February.

The existing building then would be torn down and be part of a new larger parking lot.

The day I stopped by last month, there was plenty of construction activity.

Drainage ditches were being dug and it looked like interior work on the new building would commence now that the outside was nearing completion.

With staff permission, I walked out on the present loading area to snap some views.

Part of the overhead shelter had been removed and you could see where the new roof would extend in front of the new station.

Scaffolding was still in place as finishing exterior touches were being done.

I liked the flow of the design and included a copy of the printed elevation on display in the existing depot.

One thing I doubt will be seen in the new facility would be the once-familiar telephone booths.

The adjacent waiting room already had two empty spots where the pay phones used to be.

Progress now has most people carrying a phone in their pocket ...along with some quarters that used to feed these Ma Bell devices.

I recall when it was only a nickel! Or maybe I saw nickels being pushed into the coin slot in old movies. and conversations with an operator.
Black and white movies, of course.

Thanks for hitching a ride as I explore the near future of rail service in Charleston.

My Mom grew up in Yemassee and she and her 3 sisters would wander down to the train depot there to watch trains arrive.

Especially when a new batch of young Marine recruits were detraining. and boarding buses to take them to nearby Parris Island.

Oh, Mom!

(Click on the links and photos for more details.)

Labels: AMTRAK station, downtown & Summerville, first view of Charleston for train travelers, Holy City eyesore, shuttle to airport, transportation hub in 2019

posted by chuckography @ 1:56 PM