When the last train pulled away from the platform at Greensboro 's Southern Railway depot on that May evening in 1980, no one knew what would happen to the once bustling rail station. As in so many other towns across the country, fewer passenger trains were stopping in the Gateway City , so it just seemed more practical to move the passenger depot to a smaller facility. The New York to New Orleans Crescent remained the only passenger train that served Greensboro for the next decade and even it came through in almost unnoticed in the wee hours of the morning.

Since that time, passenger train service in North Carolina has seen a slow revival. The state-sponsored Charlotte to New York Carolinian began in May 1990. Passengers wanting to travel by train through the state's urban crescent finally had a way to do so once again. Five years later the Carolinian's sister service, the Piedmont, began daily round trips from the state's capitol to the Queen City .

Meanwhile, the North Carolina Department of Transportation began an ambitious program of renovating and improving the state's rail infrastructure. Working with the North Carolina Railroad Company and Norfolk Southern, the NCDOT invested more than $27 million to improve the tracks between Raleigh and Greensboro to reduce travel time, increase capacity and improve reliability of passenger and freight train service. At the same time, the state began working with communities like Greensboro , High Point , Kannapolis, Charlotte , Durham , Salisbury , Selma , Wilson and Rocky Mount to renovate historic stations or develop new multi-modal centers housing passenger trains, city transit, intercity buses and taxis in one location.

Planning for renovation of the Greensboro station began in the early 1990s. Extensive track work, rebuilding tunnels, and significant building restoration made this one of the more extensive restoration projects. Built in 1927 for the Southern Railway, the station originally had common ticket and baggage counters, but separate segregated waiting areas. A pedestrian tunnel extended from the waiting area under the tracks and up to the train platform 14 feet above station level. The second floor of the building housed the mail, baggage and Railway Express Agency areas.

The two-part renovation has transformed the former train station into a multi-modal transportation center with provisions for Amtrak, intercity buses and city transit buses. During the first phase the buildings were completely renovated. The upper level baggage handling areas were converted to waiting areas for taxis, as well as buses from the Greensboro Transit Authority and Piedmont Authority for Regional Transit. The nearby mail building now houses intercity bus service for Greyhound passengers. Train passengers will use the main concourse in the station, while other areas of the main building will be leased for commercial space or used for city functions.

On October 1 st passenger train service will return to the historic Greensboro train station. Six trains will stop daily at the J. Douglas Galyon Depot - named for the long-time Greensboro community leader and transportation advocate. Departing passengers again will be able to board trains to Raleigh , Richmond , Washington , New York , Charlotte , Atlanta or New Orleans . The station's close proximity to the downtown area also makes Greensboro a great destination for a quick day getaway or weekend escape.

A variety of shops, boutiques, restaurants and cafes are within easy walking distance of the station. There also are several historic sites and museums near the downtown area.

For instance, the Greensboro Cultural Center features a sculpture garden and four art galleries including the Native American Art Gallery , which promotes and sells traditional and contemporary Native American arts and crafts. When you finish browsing through the exhibits, you can grab a bite to eat at the on-site restaurant.

You also can visit the former home of Governor and North Carolina Railroad founder John Motley Morehead. Located several blocks west of the train station, the unique Blandwood mansion is now a National Historic Landmark. The original farmhouse was built in the 1790s, but a distinctive Italianate edition was added in 1844. The restored home now displays many of its original furnishings and artworks.

For a glimpse into colonial life in Guildford County , visit Tannenbaum Historic Park . This 7.5 acre park that once served as a staging area for British troops during the Revolutionary War now features living history programs scheduled throughout the year.

At the Greensboro Historical Museum you'll see the role the city and it's people has played in history. Learn about Dolley Madison's impact as first lady, view the extensive collection of Civil War arms and see photographs showing how the city developed through the 20 th century. The museum also features an exhibit on the 1960 Greensboro Sit-Ins that helped spark the Civil Rights movement in the south.

The new International Civil Rights Center and Museum is scheduled to open in late 2005-early 2006 in the old Woolworth's building, the site where four North Carolina Agriculture and Technology College students staged the now-famous sit-ins. Through four major exhibits and numerous changing exhibits, guests will relive the day-to-day events and milestones that defined life in the Southeast during the turbulent civil rights movement of the 1960s.

If all that sight seeing makes you thirsty, be sure to leave enough time to visit the Red Oak Brew Pub. Learn how lagers are brewed when you tour the Bavarian-built brewhouse and fermentation cellar. However, be sure to call ahead to make an appointment with a brewer.

At the end of a busy day, head back to the station and hop on board the train for a relaxing ride home.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation sponsors the daily Piedmont and Carolinian trains which serve High Point as well as 16 other cities in the state; Amtrak operates the services. Julia Jarema is the Communications Manager for the NCDOT Rail Division.

Effective October 1, 2005 passenger train service will switch to the historic Greensboro Depot at Xxx Washington Street . NOTE: Eastbound trains will arrive x minutes earlier, westbound trains will arrive x minutes later than times listed above.

North Carolina Passenger Train Information
www.bytrain.org
1-800-BY TRAIN (872-7246)

To Purchase Train Tickets
Visit www.amtrak.com or call the Greensboro station (see number above) or Amtrak reservations at 1-800-872-7245

Visitors Information
Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau
www.greensboronc.org
800-344-2282