Amtrak's New Depot at Reno, NV - Under Construction.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tomtrain

Will the trench be enclosed when construction is completed?

Yes, as I understand it eventually about 1 mile of the trench will have a roof.

Jim - Lawton, NV MP236

[Anonymous]

Will the trench be enclosed when construction is completed?

[Anonymous]

Fort Worth built a new intermodal station downtown not so much for Amtrak but for the Trinity River Express commuter train.

Its sad really to think how towns can plan in advance for a commuter rail project but can't for Amtrak......

In any historical renovation project of an old railroad depot in America, it has more to do with sprucing up the downtown area of a small town than to maintain Amtrak connections....

[Anonymous]

Conrailman,

Thanks for the bus information, I forgot to add that to my posting.

Ted,

Good to hear that you have/do enjoy our neck of the woods. When you get up or out this way, and would enjoy chasing a train or two, I'd enjoy being a guide and driver.

Also, there was lots of politics envolved with ReTRAC, like law suites, officials voted out of office and such. I even have some railfan friends that refuse to take pictures of the project because of their thoughts on the subject!

Chad,

Glad you got to chase at least one train.

Jim

[chad thomas]

I was in Reno last week and got to check out the trench first hand. It's getting a lot closer to being done. I had my girlfriend with me so I didn't do a lot of railfanning but I did manage to follow a wb autorack train up to Donner lake.

[Anonymous]

[oops] Seem to have accidently "opened Pandora's box!" Reno has always been my first choice in the Silver State! Virginia City, Lake Tahoe, Carson City follow in that order. Las Vegas? Never heard of it.[;)] Yes, it would be grand if other cities would take such an interest in "preserving" their rail heritage.[^] But for a few "exceptional" stations, most are "dying on the vine." The insinsitive reference to "choo choo" was aimed at Civic Groups who know little and care less about historic preservation more than: "What's the bottom line!" Of course its "extravagant" if by Thanksgiving Amtrak "might be history" but that gaming spirit is to be admired in my book. I might agree with modelcar if any of this was remotely related to politics. Until then, I'll need to [zzz] on it.

[conrailman]

Amtrak Runs Thruway Bus Service from Reno to Sacramento,Ca 4 each way, so they will also use the New Station too plus Amtrak 5 & 6 trains.[:)]

[Modelcar]

Jim....More power to the city fathers for sticking their necks out on such a project. I wish more areas in the country would do the same and generate more interest as more building is being done....and maybe, just maybe our adminstration might see the interest and submit to helping something in this country. Seems so much of our money lately has been spent far, far away from us and they continue to get away with it...And continue spending more...!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Ted D. Kramer

[:O] Jim, this is almost surreal. I appreciate you telling us that this construction is from City funding. The downtown Knasas City Amtrak Station looks something like a Wenger Wagon by comparison. What do you suppose the motive is for this extragance? Maybe a Tourist venue with a touch of Old West "choo choo?" [;)]

Ted,

Reno is a tourist town, and has been such for 50, 60 years, or more. The city found it cheaper to build new, rather than retrofit the existing station, which they now own. The movers and shakers of this city should be praised for saving the former SP depot, adjacent to the new depot. This area will be a tourist portal to Reno, if Amtrak's long distance trains Nos 5 and 6 are saved - And CalTrain grows their system to include Reno.

Let's consider this, UP would never allow "choo choos" and this is not Las Vegas. However, long distance trains No 5 and 6 along with regional trains would certainly cement Reno's future as a wholesome tourist destination, with a hint of spice. This depot is an investment in the future of our town and I would hardly call it extravagant.

Jim - Lawton, NV MP236

[Anonymous]

[:O] Jim, this is almost surreal. I appreciate you telling us that this construction is from City funding. The downtown Knasas City Amtrak Station looks something like a Wenger Wagon by comparison. What do you suppose the motive is for this extragance? Maybe a Tourist venue with a touch of Old West "choo choo?" [;)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CHPENNSYLVANIA

How many trains will use this new Station. Tell me they are not building this new structure for just two trains daily-East and West Bound Calif. Zeyphr only.

Yes, at this time only Amtrak's Nos 5 and 6 call on Reno, NV. California wants to extend four "Capitals" to Truckee and on into Reno. Union Pacific is crying capacity problems on Donner, which may be true or not. I know during the 1997 floods that the line with its current configuration supported 30 plus trains a day. Today, there are about 17 to 19 trains a day using the Donner line.

Don't think Amtrak is spending any money on this new depot, if that is your concern. The city of Reno and its taxpayers are funding this construction. The irony of the depot, is that Amtrak might be history by the time trains run in the trench this Thanksgiving.

Jim - Lawton, NV MP236

[Anonymous]

How many trains will use this new Station. Tell me they are not building this new structure for just two trains daily-East and West Bound Calif. Zeyphr only.

[Modelcar]

....Real nice photos......Depot has features of retro...with the arched {windows, or openings}....Should be really nice when finished. Amazing that someone can do such a nice building for that purpose now. Wish more would.

[Anonymous]

In this last photo Amtrak's No. 5 slips by the new construction.



Jim - Lawton, NV MP236

[Anonymous]

This photo of the depot is taken from Harrahs parking garage. The track to the left is the shoo-fly, the building in the right foreground is the former Southern Pacific Depot.



Jim - Lawton, NV MP236

[Anonymous]

This next photo of the depot is taken south of the project and depot. The track in the foreground is the shoo-fly used by Union Pacific to by-pass ReTRAC construction.



Jim

[Anonymous]

Thought I'd pass along a few photos of Amtrak's new Reno, NV depot that is under construction. The depots' construction is part of the city's ReTRAC project (Trains - June 2005).

This first photo is taken from the north looking into the trench at the depot.



Jim - Lawton, NV MP236