Osceola (Amtrak station)

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Osceola
Station statistics
Address Main and East Clay Streets
Osceola, IA 50213
Coordinates 41°02′14″N 93°45′54″W / 41.0372°N 93.7650°W / 41.0372; -93.7650Coordinates: 41°02′14″N 93°45′54″W / 41.0372°N 93.7650°W / 41.0372; -93.7650
Line(s)
  California Zephyr
Platforms 2 side platforms
Tracks 2
Other information
Station code OSC
Traffic
Passengers (2013)14,799[1] Increase 0.8%
Services
Preceding station   Amtrak   Following station
toward Emeryville
 California Zephyr
toward Chicago
    Former services    
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
Murray
toward Denver
 Main Line
Woodburn
toward Chicago Union Station

The Osceola Amtrak station is a train station in Osceola, Iowa, United States served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. Among Amtrak stations in Iowa, Osceola is closest to Des Moines, Iowa's capital and most populous city. However, the station is still 45 to 50 miles (72 to 80 km) from the center of Des Moines.

The Osceola Depot was built by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (CB&Q), one of the major networks operating in the upper Midwest and West during much of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Designed in the Prairie Style, the reddish-brown brick depot has a low slung, horizontal profile reinforced by the limestone water table and belt courses that wrap around the building.[2] Originally a combination depot, the building contained freight and passenger areas under one roof. The ticket office retains many original features, such as ticket windows, wood benches and light fixtures.[3]

In 2007, the city of Osceola gained ownership of the historic building after a decade of talks with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Working with an architect specializing in historic preservation, the city planned a multi-phase restoration of the depot and parking area to create an intermodal transportation hub to better serve Amtrak and intercity bus riders.[4]

The restoration of the exterior was funded in part by $600,000 in federal funds obtained through the Iowa Department of Transportation. This project included the installation of a new roof, reconstruction of a damaged chimney, restoration of existing windows, installation of new historically-appropriate storm windows, manufacture of new entry doors that match the originals, re-pointing of the mortar that holds the bricks in place, and general rehabilitation and cleaning of the brick and stone surfaces.[5] City officials also hope to restore the interior if funding can be found. According to the proposal, the former freight area would become the new waiting room and might accommodate local history displays; in turn, the former waiting room would become a small museum, restaurant, or other retail space.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Amtrak Fact Sheet, FY2013, State of Iowa" (PDF). Amtrak. November 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2013. 
  2. ↑ Great American Stations. Accessed April 7, 2013.
  3. ↑ Great American Stations. Accessed April 7, 2013.
  4. ↑ Great American Stations. Accessed April 7, 2013.
  5. ↑ Great American Stations. Accessed April 7, 2013.
  6. ↑ Great American Stations. Accessed April 7, 2013.

External links

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