(rshsdepot) Hope, AR

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Hope on track for Amtrak schedule

By PRASHANSA SAI of the Texarkana Gazette Staff

Hope, Ark., residents are hoping Amtrak Railways' Texas Eagle will add the
city to its schedule in late spring.

After reviewing the final draft of a feasibility study, conducted by the
University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension service, city officials decided
to forward the results of the study to officials at Amtrak.

"We've been working with Amtrak for several years," said Catherine Cook,
city manager. "And we're hoping to get on their train schedule for this
spring."

Before honoring the city's request, Amtrak will have to gain permission from
Union Pacific, which owns the railroad, and consider various aspects of the
feasibility study.

However, community leaders are convinced the Texas Eagle stop at the newly
restored 1912 train depot will benefit both area residents and Amtrak.

The depot, built in 1875, was recently restored by the Hope Tourism
Commission and currently houses the museum and visitor's center and will
also serve as the Amtrak station.

"The depot was last used as a train station in the 1960s and is the most
convenient choice for the future Amtrak station because Amtrak passes
through there anyway," said Paul Henley, parks and tourism director for the
city.

The Texas Eagle makes a scheduled stop in Texarkana.

From a transportation standpoint, Henley says the Texas Eagle Stop will do
nothing but create convenience for Hope residents traveling out of the city
and for those tourists traveling to Hope.

With the study in the works for six months, the city has rallied enough
public support to present the concept to Amtrak.

"A portion of the study included an informal public survey with results that
suggest that the citizens of this town will definitely utilize the train
stop," added Henley. "As a matter of fact, I have received several phone
calls requesting an update on the issue."

According to the feasibility study, adding the Texas Eagle stop in Hope
would more than likely increase Amtrak's net operating profits because the
cost of adding a stop is minimal and the revenue potential is high. The city
also would benefit because the stop would bring more visitors to the city
who would spend money and help diversify the local economy.

In fact, the only expense the city will incur is renovation of a waiting
room to accommodate Amtrak passengers and the construction of a platform for
boarding and disembarking, which will be a one-time expense.

The city is hoping to get the Texas Eagle stop on the itinerary by March or
April of this year.

http://swapdd.dina.org/recreation/hopedep.jpg  (photo of Hope depot)

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