Sunday, June 14, 2009

Mattoon Depot

The IC depot in Mattoon is undergoing a massive restoration, and here are some pictures I took of it yesterday, while visiting in-laws. This project is being funded by a combination of federal grants, city and local fund-raising, etc. and they have a very complete and detailed website here with lots of pictures and intricate features. Parts of it are open during restoration and it still serves as the Amtrak station; here you can see people waiting on the platform for the next train.


The building is interesting due to its two-story design; the north-south IC main is in a cut, and originally an east-west branch of the Big Four crossed over it on a bridge to the north of the station. (R) The north side of the station had this now-useless platform for the long-gone Big Four.


Here's a view of part of the interior. As I say, the website has more and better pictures, although most of them are artist's renderings of the completed project. Your tax dollars at work!