R
ails-to-Trails Conservancy’s
efforts to preserve and repur-
pose railroad corridors are well-
known, but did you know that
we work to protect America’s railroad
stations and other historic transportation
buildings too? For many years, RTC has
been one of the nation’s strongest advo-
cates for the Transportation Alternatives
program (formerly called Transportation
Enhancements), which is the only federal
funding source for the restoration of rail
and ferry depots. Thanks to this program,
communities across the country have
been able to turn run-down and neglected
buildings into valuable local assets, spur-
ring economic development and new
transportation opportunities while keeping
the nation’s railroad heritage alive. Here are
just a few examples.
New Freedom Railroad Station—Pennsylvania
Once an unsightly ruin, the historic train station in New Freedom, Pa., now is the center of a
burgeoning trail-tourism economy. Built in 1885, the New Freedom Station served Northern Central
Railway trains running fromWashington, D.C., and Baltimore to Chicago, St. Louis and Buffalo until
the early 1970s. Now transformed, this jewel of railroad history along the Heritage Rail Trail County
Park houses the Whistle Stop Bike Shop and the Rail Trail Café, and services a popular excursion
train operation, Steam Into History (see page 24 for more on the tourist train).
America’s Restored Transportation Stations
A View From…
Before
After: Carl knoch;
Before: Ed Hughes
rails
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spring/summer.14
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