Comments on: Atmore Train Station Would Be Demolished Under Amtrak Plan

By: Nathanael

Nathanael — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:33:12 +0000

There’s something funny about the way the numbers are broken down. I have a strong suspicion that the expensive part is building an ADA-compliant platform (concrete, most likely) — and building it is probably easier if the building is out of the way.

I wonder if the building could be picked up and put back in place on top of the new concrete platform/ramp/floor? It could have holes left in it to put the columns in.

By: judy hardy

judy hardy — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:50:59 +0000

Maybe the Creek Indian Casino could offer some incentives to bring possible customers to their new facility through the rail system? Just a thought….

By: art

art — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:08:38 +0000

its a charming building try like the dickens to keep it

By: Michael B Gehl MD

Michael B Gehl MD — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:34 +0000

In college in the 1960’s, one of my best friends (Richard M.) was from Atmore, and he traveled occasionally from there to Nashville, where we were in school. He loved the train ride, but I doubt he has ever seen the “new” Atmore Amtrak station (having lived in Orange County, CA for many years). I think he would be deeply saddened (as would I) to see this “mini-landmark” razed in the name of progress, the ADA, or for any other reason. It needs some TLC and a GREAT DEAL LESS MONEY invested to make it a permanent and useful part of Atmore’s restored rail transportation service.
“Yet there isn’t a train I wouldn’t take…”

-Edna St. Vincent Millay.

By: NeNe

NeNe — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:23:20 +0000

Well, well ,well, Atmore has plenty of money … Hmmm

By: Jerry H. Sullivan

Jerry H. Sullivan — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:44:05 +0000

The Rat is named AMTRAK. The study for restoring the service is terribly inflated as to cost, and terribly toned down as to potential ridership. Remember though that the figures cited for the Atmore station (which I think is a great architectural gem really) are based on top dollar, which is the safer way to estimate. I suspect that if Atmore elected to do the work with local people, and some federal assistance an excellent work, which the people would be very proud of, could be accomplished for far less than the AMtrak estimate.
For whatever reason, I would often awaken in my sleeper roomette as we came to Atmore and I like to see the sight, in the dim lighting as we passed. if 255 people got on/off in a year, with a 3 times a week schedule, and many times the train being stopped at NewOrleans, I suspect a daily would attract many more.

By: an observer

an observer — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:58:53 +0000

that’s udderly RIDICULOUS…it does not cost that much to do all of that. You could build a HUGE house for that kind of money, someone is trying to get rich off of this…i smell a rat

By: Born in Atmore

Born in Atmore — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:57:20 +0000

I don’t understand why the Atmore Train Station would have to be torn down. If the train is going to stop there then why not refurbish it and make it possibly even bigger to accommodate the passengers boarding there. Amtrak will take on passengers there, right? Is’t Amtrak going to be footing most of the bills for this anyway since it’s their idea to reopen the rails from New Orleans to Orlando? All of the Amtrak stations I saw from San Antonio to Los Angeles & up the coast of CA used the same old train stations that were refurbished and they are beautiful buildings.
It would be a shame to tear down that cute little building that is a part of the nostalgia of Atmore. It gives Atmore that little part of small town America flavor.
If Amtrak isn’t going to use it, it couldn’t possibly cost that much for a new platform and fresh coat of paint.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:39:52 +0000

I suggest that for $100,000 they put in a ramp and pave the platform.

Now, I’m OK with paying $750K for a new station, so long as we can charge each person that boards next year $5000 for a ticket.

By: Molino Mom

Molino Mom — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:23:09 +0000

Another story on NE before it is in the Atmore papers. No wonder everybody I know in Atmore looks here for local news.