This decaying train station in Jamestown, Tennessee, has its counterparts all over America. Just as the coming of the railroads in the 19th century was the death knell for canal transportation, General Eisenhower's admiration for the German autobahns during WWII led to diminished importance for railroads in the 20th century. There are many towns that owe their existence to the railroad that no longer have tracks running anywhere near them. It just doesn't seem right.
We also get buildings over here that fell into decline when railways replaced canals and roads replaced railways. They are like historical markers - fascinating.
Railways could drastically improve our infrastructure by getting so many trucks off the roads. And effective train transportation would be inviting. We checked into train travel for our daughter to travel from Milwaukee to us here in western NC. The only route? Through Washington, DC. In nearby Asheville the old depot is now a restaurant.
Yes, it's a shame so much track has been taken up. We live very near a north-south mainline for Norfolk-Western and we see two things that encourage us. The amount of intermodal traffic on it is amazing! A long train yesterday was made up completely of semi-trailers stacked two high. And then there's the "Triple Crown" trains. These trains use semi-trailers instead of rail cars, with the trailers joined by rail trucks or "bogies." Here's a link that shows them and how the work: http://www.triplecrownsvc.com/Bimodal.html
Both of these approaches get trucks off the highways, but unfortunately much of the country is no longer served by rail. And even though we're on a main line, there is no passenger service on it.
We also get buildings over here that fell into decline when railways replaced canals and roads replaced railways. They are like historical markers - fascinating.
ReplyDeleteLove this! We had an old depot over in Panama City that people tried to save; but alas the city tore it down anyway.
ReplyDeleteThat one looks like it may have had a hotel above it or something.
ReplyDeleteRailways could drastically improve our infrastructure by getting so many trucks off the roads. And effective train transportation would be inviting. We checked into train travel for our daughter to travel from Milwaukee to us here in western NC. The only route? Through Washington, DC. In nearby Asheville the old depot is now a restaurant.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a shame so much track has been taken up. We live very near a north-south mainline for Norfolk-Western and we see two things that encourage us. The amount of intermodal traffic on it is amazing! A long train yesterday was made up completely of semi-trailers stacked two high. And then there's the "Triple Crown" trains. These trains use semi-trailers instead of rail cars, with the trailers joined by rail trucks or "bogies." Here's a link that shows them and how the work: http://www.triplecrownsvc.com/Bimodal.html
DeleteBoth of these approaches get trucks off the highways, but unfortunately much of the country is no longer served by rail. And even though we're on a main line, there is no passenger service on it.
Make that "Norfolk-Southern." The N&W name is about 30 years out of date!
DeleteNot to worry. Sometimes I think I am 30 years out of date!
DeleteWhat a beautiful shot of what was once a center of activity. It's so sad to see great structures decay.
ReplyDelete