Category 7: Rehabilitation
and Operation of Historic Transportation Buildings, Structures, or
Facilities, including Historic Railroad Facilities and Canals.
- Restoration of historic train depots, freight warehouses and bus
stations.
- Preservation of stage coach inns, trolleys and streetcars.
- Rehabilitation of historic bridges and structures.
- Historic facilities must be listed in or eligible for listing in
the National Register of Historic Places.
- All work must comply with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's
Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating
Historic Properties of the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards
for Historic Preservation Projects.
Example Project #1
Project Name: Texas State Railroad Renovation, Phase 1 and 2
Location: City of Palestine and City of Rusk
Project Description:
Unique in its nature, the circa 1893 Texas State Railroad is owned by
the State of Texas while operated and maintained by the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department (TPWD). The Texas State Railroad serves as a state
historical park providing the public with interpretation and education
about the operation of an historic railroad. Visitors to the park have
an opportunity to ride a steam train, visit with the engineer, and tour
the depot. The line runs from Rusk to Palestine in East Texas'
pineywoods. The railroad has been selected for Enhancement funding
twice. The first project approved for funding was for the rehabilitation
and replacement of nine wooden trestle railroad bridges. The second
project entailed a more comprehensive rehabilitation of various sections
of the line, ties, roadbed and bridges, as well as replacement of
boilers on steam locomotives, some dating back to 1901. For more
information about the historic railroad, visit the TPWD web site at:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/railroad/railroad.htm
District or Division: Tyler District
Federal Funds: (Total of two projects) $9,000,000
(click on a photo to see an enlarged version)
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Passengers board the historic train as
it builds up steam to leave the Rusk station. |
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At the midway point of the journey,
members of the westbound train wave a big "hello" to those on the
eastbound rail. |
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Funding was used to replace nine wooden
trestle bridges with steel and concrete such as the one shown here. |
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Part of the railroad restoration
includes replacing boilers on the old steam engines that sometimes
have to be made from the boilerplates up by the staff of the park
service. |
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New axle grease is tried out for
operation of the steel cast wheels. |
Example Project #2
Project Name: Rehabilitation of Historic Santa Fe Railroad Temple
Depot and Grounds
Location: City of Temple
Project Description: Completed in 1914, this depot served as the
Southern Division Headquarters for the Santa Fe Railroad. The depot's
exterior and interior were restored for reuse to house Amtrak, Temple's
transit system, ride-to-work program and a railroad museum.
Additionally, funding was approved for the city to restore the historic
depot grounds to provide landscaping with native plants, pedestrian
trails with amenities, lighting, fountain restoration, railroad exhibits
and informational kiosks. Facilities will be ADA accommodating. The
depot sits on the original depot grounds covering more than eight acres,
including the historic gardens.
District or Division: Waco District
Federal Funds: (two projects) $3,342,668
(click on a photo to see an enlarged version)
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The Temple Santa Fe Depot served as the
headquarters for all Santa Fe operations in the Southern United
States from 1910 until 1989 |
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Amtrak passenger tickets can still be
purchased from the rehabilitated ticket office in the lobby. |
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This second floor space, of the
25,000-sq.ft three-story depot, will be used for transportation
museum exhibits. |
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The depot, built in a synthesis of the
Beaux Arts and Prairie-Style of architecture, now shows the original
lobby with marble floor and wood trim. |
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Landscaping of nearly nine acres of
grounds and historic gardens will enhance the visitor's appreciation
of depot's period setting. |
Example Project #3
Project Name: Canadian River Wagon Bridge Renovation
Location: City of Canadian
Project Description: In 1888, a principally wooden bridge was
constructed over the Canadian River. Soon following in 1916, a 2,635
feet steel bridge was constructed after the earlier wooden structure was
washed away. After this second attempt to ford the river failed due to
flood, a third bridge was constructed of steel in 1924, lengthening the
distance spanned to 3,255 feet. This third bridge, one of the longest
multiple overhead truss bridges in Texas, has been renovated for
pedestrian and bicyclist use and is located just north of the City of
Canadian on U.S.60/83.
District or Division: Amarillo District
Federal Funds: $605,624.79
(click on a photo to see an enlarged version)
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This aerial photograph shows pedestrian
trials adjacent and connecting to the bridge. |
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Aerial photograph showing the historic
truss bridge, the Santa Fe Railroad Bridge, and the newer U.S.
Highway 60/83 bridge crossing the Canadian River. |
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Historic black and white photograph of
bridge as it appeared prior to rehabilitation efforts. |
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Bridge deck as it appears after
rehabilitation, converting it for bicycle and pedestrian use, in
1999. |
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