Amtrak 'Celebrates' Charlottesville
By Allen Brougham . . .
[Published in the March 1999 issue of the Bull Sheet]
Tuesday, February 9, was a festive day at the Charlottesville, Virginia, train station. For on that day Amtrak and local officials joined to dedicate the city's "new" depot following a $700,000 renovation effort. The building is not exactly new; it's the former Railway Express Agency building built in the 1890's. As part of the renovation, Amtrak moved out of the adjacent 1885 station several months ago. Its new quarters sport a more modern waiting area, spacious ticket counter, and modern restroom facilities. Moreover, the facility has better access to the parking lot than what had been available previously.
About 150 people crowded into the waiting room for the 11 o'clock ceremony. Deborah Wetter, Amtrak's general manager of the Gulf Coast Business Group, operator of the Crescent, was master of ceremonies. Speakers included Leo Bevon, director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation; David Kalerges, director of Virginia Gateway at the University of Virginia; Allan Edelston, vice president-customer service for Amtrak Intercity; Virginia Daugherty, mayor of Charlottesville; and David Toscano, member of the Charlottesville city council and a former mayor. Also on hand were representatives from various organizations with transportation exhibits, including the Rivanna Chapter of the NRHS with whom I was later a guest for lunch. A harpist serenaded the festivities both before and after the proceedings.
The Charlottesville station is actually a "union" station, served on both sides by trains using different railroads. The Crescent calls on the station once daily in each direction on the Norfolk Southern side, and the Cardinal stops three times a week in each direction on the CSX side. These lines respectively represent the heritage of the Southern and the Chesapeake & Ohio, their lines crossing at a diamond just south of the station complex. Interestingly, at one time C&O trains actually made two stops in Charlottesville - one at the Union Station, the other at its own station (still standing and restored) several blocks to the east.
Plans for the old Union Station are still uncertain. One plan would have it become a restaurant. I peered through the window and discovered that partitions, which in recent years had formed the waiting area into a U-shape, have now been removed exposing its classic mid-room wooden staircase.
Amtrak responded to the occasion by presenting a special train of Superliner equipment. Actually it was the trainset represented by the Cardinal (which does not run on Tuesdays) plus one additional dining car, and a locomotive on both ends to facilitate movement of the train back to Washington afterward. Interestingly, the train was spotted along the Norfolk Southern side of the station, a rarity for Superliners at Charlottesville. Following the ceremony, all in attendance were invited to tour the train; dignitaries were treated to a special dedication luncheon in one of the dining cars. The same luncheon was then offered to other invited guests (in this case, I included) in a second seating. A special menu had been printed. The luncheon began with a "great first coarse" [sic] of Cream of Corn and Shrimp Chowder; then a choice of Prime Rib of Beef, Maryland Old Bay Crab Cakes, or Roast Young Turkey. (I chose the Crab Cakes.) Wine from the Williamsburg Winery was also offered. My table partners, all from the Rivanna Chapter NRHS, were Stan Brother (chapter president), Ann Harrod, and Vic Stone (national director). Dessert included Chocolate Moose Cake. (Shouldn't that be Mousse?) Whatever.... the luncheon was a genuine treat, and though the train remained stationary, the whole experience whetted my appetite for my next true Amtrak adventure. (You know, the one I take once a year, and then write and write and write about afterward for the receptive eyes of all you wonderful folks who delight in reading it!)
Oh yes, before I left, I got a chance to bend the ear of one of the Amtrak officials about my time-honored idea for a transitional dome car for Superliners. Now you surely didn't think I would pass up on THAT opportunity, did you?
Charlottesville Station Dedicated to William Hollifield . . .
Amtrak has dedicated the Charlottesville station to the memory of William Hart Hollifield, Amtrak agent at Charlottesville, who died on the job of a heart attack September 18, 1997, at the age of 44. A graduate of Old Dominion University, he began his Amtrak career as an extra-board agent working at Charleston, Greensboro, Lynchburg, Roanoke, White Sulphur Springs and Charlottesville. A dedicated and friendly individual, and a voracious reader, he had received many letters of commendation during his career, including several from the late Graham Claytor during his tenure as president of Amtrak. Two plaques were presented during the dedication - one to be displayed at the station, and the other to his family. On the printed program it was written: "Today, the new Amtrak Charlottesville Train Station is dedicated to the memory of William Hollifield. A friend to all, a devoted son, husband, and father, and a diligent employee who demonstrated the best of Amtrak. He will be forever cherished."
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