PS- Regarding the 7th photo from the top, I initially thought I was looking at pay phones (remember those?). On second view, are they some sort of ticket purchasing stations?
Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
These are the original old wooden fixtures at each gate that formerly displayed train arrival/departure information. Digital screens are now added to each of these, rotating through departure info of the current transportation modes, as well as historical photos of rail activity and construction. The angle of the 7th photo distorts the shapes so the screens look taller than they are wide. Actually they are the shape of a regular TV. I believe the wooden fixtures originally opened up, perhaps containing supplies for posting the info? The angled surface seems suited to writing, and opened like an old school desk. These are now fastened shut and serve only as decor.
All ticket purchasing (intercity bus and someday Amtrak) is down 2 floors at track level. Most of what used to be tracks is now buses: city, casino, Megabus, Jefferson and Greyhound. Commuter rail is in the distant future and will not share the Amtrak gates/rails. The space is still way underutilized.
On the Amtrak screen, it just says "Coming in 2014", but it said that about 2013 and 2012 too. They are still working on connecting tracks, signalling, and dispatching issues. The complications of dealing with 3 major railroads just to crossover from the depot was evidently more work than anticipated.
It is an impressive building. All winter I have taken my weekend walks indoors in the St. Paul skyways, and I always include a walk through SPUD.
Posted by yukon11 (Member # 2997) on :
TwinStar:
Those digital screens sound neat.
Casinos? Nearby?
I often have wondered if the Calif. Zephyr could have a casino car, on board, when travelling through Nevada.
Richard
Richard
Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
I'm not a casino patron, but there are many run by Native Americans within 25 miles of MSP. The free buses run around the cities to accumulate customers. They are also one of the few public places where smoking is allowed.