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What is that old depot in your town used for today?

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Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Monday, December 10, 2007 9:41 AM
The depot in our little town is now the museum.
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Posted by n2mopac on Monday, December 10, 2007 9:27 AM

This is one of my favorite old threads and its been inactive for about 9 months, so I thought it was about time to revive it. Share your old depot pics and stories with us.

Ron

Owner and superintendant of the N scale Texas Colorado & Western Railway, a protolanced representaion of the BNSF from Fort Worth, TX through Wichita Falls TX and into Colorado. 

Check out the TC&WRy on at https://www.facebook.com/TCWRy

Check out my MRR How-To YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RonsTrainsNThings

 

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Posted by tatans on Thursday, March 8, 2007 12:40 PM
OH, and the CNR station in Moose Jaw is now spa and clinic, and the larger CPR station depot is still a Government liquor store.
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  • From: Shenandoah Valley The Home Of Patsy Cline
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Posted by superbe on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 9:57 PM

Hello,

There are two old depots in my town. One of them thankgoodness is being used for what is was built to be. CSX is the occupant. One interesting thing is that CSX is as about as cheap as they come and a poor Corporate citizen. They let the historic depot which is smack dab in the center of town get in such a state of disrepair that our then mayor (who is a three rail enthusiasist) got the Town to help pay for it's exterior repairs. Maybe CSX isn't gcheap but smart.

The second depot which was last used by the PRR is now the home of a community theater and the members put on plays in the "round"

Bob

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  • From: Alexandria KY
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Posted by Zandoz on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 9:25 PM
 Texas Zepher wrote:

Well, the one I thought I had posted to this thread is now - a vacant lot.  I was unable to figure out how to save it.

 

Sad to see them go, isn't it.  The neat old B&O depot in my home town of Defiance OH was torn down last year :(  Quite a few years ago, I watched the old Wabash depot that was then being used as storage for grain elevator, burn to the ground.

On a happier note, the Sandusky OH depot (where I lived for about 18 years, until labout 4 years ago) was saved and turned into a transportation hub...central dispatch point for the local commuter buses and ambulances.

Reality...an interesting concept with no successful applications, that should always be accompanied by a "Do not try this at home" warning.

Hundreds of years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...But the world may be different because I did something so bafflingly crazy that my ruins become a tourist attraction.

"Oooh...ahhhh...that's how this all starts...but then there's running...and screaming..."

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Posted by MrKLUKE on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 9:11 PM

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Posted by Texas Zepher on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 8:39 PM

Well, the one I thought I had posted to this thread is now - a vacant lot.  I was unable to figure out how to save it.

 

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Posted by bogp40 on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 7:19 PM

 grayfox1119 wrote:
In Palmer, Ma, which is in the south central part of the state, the old stone Depot is now the Steamer Resturant. It is located directly along side the Diamond where the Vt central crosses the old Boston & Albany Main line, now CSX. It is also a Hot Spot for camera action.

Dick,

The depot is "The Steaming Tender". It really is quite a place. The restoration is magnificent right down to the restrooms.

Great food and reasonably priced. Go there after the Big E show in Springfield, Ma.

Bob Buck of Tucker's Hobbies in Warren, Ma was instramental in it's restoration.

Modeling B&O- Chessie  Bob K.  www.ssmrc.org

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  • From: Alexandria, VA
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Posted by StillGrande on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 1:43 PM

In Washington DC the old Union Station is....a train station.  4 railroads use it (Amtrak, MARC, VRE, and WMATA).  It is also a mall with restaurants and shops.  Very busy place.

 In Alexandria, VA the old depot is a VRE and Amtrak Station.

 In Manassas, VA the old station is a VRE station.  There is also a bit of history shown off inside. 

Falls Church, VA has a model railroad club, mini museum, and shop inside.  No tracks though. 

Dewey "Facts are meaningless; you can use facts to prove anything that is even remotely true! Facts, schmacks!" - Homer Simpson "The problem is there are so many stupid people and nothing eats them."
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  • From: Birmingham, Michigan
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Posted by jjackso8 on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 1:42 PM

In my home town, Birmingham, Michigan, the old Grand Trunk staion is now a micro brewery and restaurant. Good Beer OK food mid to hi end prices. the nearby RIP track is now being taken up and condo's built. Unfortunately they face away from the GTW/CN mainline that runs from Detroit to Durand.

 

John Jackson Birmingham, MI Detroit, Woodbridge & Birmingham RR HO Standard Gauge Protolanced from CN/NorfolkSouthern Industrial connector road located in northern Michigan No Particular Era
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Posted by Conrail5 on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 1:42 PM

At one point in time there were 6 "old depots" in my town. Four of the six were original Pennsylvania RR stations.

The oldest of the Penn Stations ; Old York Rd. or Ogontz station is now home to the Chelten Hills Model RR club.

One of the other stations "Melrose Park" burned down in the late 70's and has recently been rebuilt. It is owned and operated by Septa as a waiting room and ticket office.

Glenside Station is also owned by Septa and is home to a coffee shop, and on the weekends in the summer it is a farmers market.

Jenkintown train station is Septa owned, it houses a waiting room and a resturaunt.

Elkins Park station is also owned by Septa, it houses a real estate office.

The last station at Cheltenham was destroyed by arsonists in the early 90's, Septa is in the process of erecting a new station at this time.

 

Empire under construction !

The early bird catches the worm.

But, the second mouse gets the cheese!

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Posted by richg1998 on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 1:22 PM

Easthampton MA  http://www.answers.com/topic/easthampton-massachusetts

Station 1929 http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2004073023245619574.jpg&order=byyear&page=1&key=1929

Present day, it is an Art Gallery. No exterior  photo available. I will have to take a present day photo.

Interior: http://www.marciareedpainting.com/?tg=contact 

It is along the Manhan Railtrail.

http://manhanrailtrail.org 

http://manhanrailtrail.org/img/alan-james-robinson-map.gif

Look at the different options you will see a photo of the station in the 1950s. 

rich 

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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Posted by beegle55 on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 12:44 PM

My towns old railroad depot in Ripley, West Virginia, is now used for an antiques store!

 -beegle55

Head of operations at the Bald Mountain Railroad, a proud division of CSXT since 2002!
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Posted by steamnut on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 12:36 PM
The nearest town to me that had a depot is Herondon, Virginia on the former Washington & Old Dominion. It is a town museum. Next nearest is Vienna, Virginia; that depot, which is owned by the park authority that operates the W&OD bike trail, houses a large club model railroad in the former freight room.
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Posted by Vail and Southwestern RR on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 12:27 PM

I'm suprised I didn't see this in one one its previous 'bumpings'.

Tucson had two stations, the SP one and one built by the El Paso and Southwestern.  The SP station was built in 1907 (I saw it on the internet, it must be right!), and has recently been refurbished.  It still serves as the Amtrak station, as well a a museum.  The El Paso and Southwestern station was built in 1913 (again, its on the internet!).  SP took over the El Paso and Southwestern in 1924, and the station was closed.  It is currently a Mexican Restaurant (I've eaten there, I didn't have to read that on the internet!)  When I ate there I did not know the history, but I though it looked like a train station.  Then I found out I was right.

 There are some pics of both here: http://archive.azrail.org/station/az/tucson/index.htm

 

Jeff But it's a dry heat!

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Posted by n2mopac on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 11:59 AM

I love this old thread and like to revive it from time to time to see what new responses--and pics--we can add. Anyone else care to chime in here? Tell us about your old depot.

Ron

Owner and superintendant of the N scale Texas Colorado & Western Railway, a protolanced representaion of the BNSF from Fort Worth, TX through Wichita Falls TX and into Colorado. 

Check out the TC&WRy on at https://www.facebook.com/TCWRy

Check out my MRR How-To YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RonsTrainsNThings

 

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Posted by 0-6-0 on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 11:32 AM
Hello Are old depot in Twinsburg has been gone for long time.They put a pottery shop for a while but now its drit.There is the falls depot down the road in glenwillo and it getting fixed up.I think they might have a train ride from time to time? Frank
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Posted by spidge on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 11:32 PM

Now here is an example of a post that gets us all talking.

The Riverside depot is a coffee house but the city insisted on it being kept in good condition. There is also a nearby friut warehouse that seems to be used as storage for the city but is rarely used ( it is maintained). The Sante Fe depot in San Bernardino is primarily used as office space but who-ever restored it kept the same or similar finish and character. For a while I worked near the Upland depot which is still a depot, but the freight transfer portion was removed in 2004'ish, but it still retains it quaint character.

I will get some pics. This could be cool if everyone shares some pics of their hometown and surrounding depots.

John

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Posted by dgraham on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 8:42 PM
The Santa Fe depot in Shawnee, OK is now a museum.
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 8:22 PM
The one in my town is used as the Historical society's head quarters and they have even left some of the old track down and have 2 smaller engines and a few cars on it.
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Posted by mj3200 on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 7:13 PM
Although it's not strictly in my town we use an old Great Western Station (UK) building as ofices for our company. The guy who we rent it from has umpteen of them.
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Posted by cacole on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 3:48 PM
The former Southern Pacific depot in Benson, Arizona is the city tourism bureau and a former Santa Fe depot in Patagonia, Arizona, is their city hall.
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Posted by dinwitty on Monday, November 27, 2006 4:37 PM
Station in St Joseph, MI is still an Amtrak stop, with a small ticket machine.

The rest is a super Pizza place and the pizzas are deeeliscious!!!


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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 27, 2006 2:38 PM

My Depot was built in 1905 or so and used to ship Strawberrys, Cotton Gin and other items out of town. I think it is being used as a Sun tan parlor now but am not sure.

Back in Maryland there were a number of depots along the Ma and Pa line one of which I think is now a store in Bel Air. Another in Frederick is now a Greyhound Bus Ternimal I think that one used to be a very small (Emphasis... small!) B&O depot but am not certain.

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Posted by jamesbaker on Monday, November 27, 2006 2:32 PM
The old Depot from my home town. Tamms IL is the City Hall.

Still looks good to inside and out!

Baker
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Posted by challenger3802 on Monday, November 27, 2006 2:29 PM
Our steam shed / newspaper depot was bulldozed back in the 1980's - my apartment now stands on the site!

Ian
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Posted by soumodeler on Monday, November 27, 2006 1:58 PM

The Terminal Station in Macon, GA, used by the Southern and Central of Georgia Railways.

It was used as office space for Georgia Power for a while then the city bought it and now uses it as a Visitors Center. Great spot to watch trains hassle-free from cops and a great historic site.

 

soumodeler --------------- The Southern Serves the South!
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Posted by n2mopac on Monday, November 27, 2006 1:18 PM

I have to admit I never expected to hear from Moose Jaw. Smile [:)] Thanks for all the responses and pics. Keep them coming, please.

Ron

Owner and superintendant of the N scale Texas Colorado & Western Railway, a protolanced representaion of the BNSF from Fort Worth, TX through Wichita Falls TX and into Colorado. 

Check out the TC&WRy on at https://www.facebook.com/TCWRy

Check out my MRR How-To YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RonsTrainsNThings

 

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Posted by tatans on Saturday, November 25, 2006 6:57 PM
In Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, the huge CPR station was almost lost, it is now a very large Government liqor store, (as they all are in Sask.)
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Posted by jecorbett on Saturday, November 25, 2006 8:46 AM
I grew up in Omaha and there were two major stations, Union Station and Burlington Station, which were on opposite sides of the tracks and at one time connected by an over-the-track concourse. Union Station has been converted to a western museum and there were plans to convert Burlington Station into luxury condos. Unfortunately, it appears the plan my have fallen through. There was a website for the development but it has disappeared. I passed through Omaha on Amtrak last August and from the outside, it looked like a run down station ready for the wrecking ball. Maybe there is some work going on inside but you sure couldn't tell. It would be a shame if this magnificent building could not be saved like its sister station on the north side of the tracks.

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