During a recent visit to Hamlet's station,I noticed a pedestrian underpass located under the north-south main track,north of the original station site. Although the eastern entrance portal is gone,the western one still stands. The noteworthy thing about it is its Art-Deco design, which seems to indicate that it was installed about the same time the first Silver Meteor operation began. As the underpass is no longer functional,hopefully the west portal will be salvaged and become part of the museum display. Is anyone aware of the history of this feature? It most likely was built for train crew use, as Passengers would have full access to the train from the station-side platform. Paul Coe

-- Paul Coe (paul_coe@yahoo.com), May 05, 2002

Answers

Have been to the station several times before being moved. I was there while visiting from Pa. The cost should have been included in the whole project.I can't wait to see the changes made when I visit again this June 2004.

-- scott miller (bikinscott@aol.com), November 28, 2004.

I was told probably 25 years ago (and the "subway" was already closed off in the like 1977/78; don't know how long before then) by an ex SAL engineer that the underpass was in fact for passengers. One must keep in mind that many years back Hamlet was as busy as a passenger center as it was/is as a freight center. During WWII, for example, trrops went to and were moved by rail. Before commercial airlines, autos, RV's and the like were available and/affordable, by rail was the way to go. Hotels were all around the old SAL station. There used to be a large one sitting right behind the station.

RS

-- Raymond Smith (aclrr7@hotmail.com), May 06, 2002.

Paul,

I've always assumed the underpass (or "subway" as the portal says) was in fact for passengers, who could use it to get to a second train when two were in the station at the same time. An SAL expert needs to chime in to confirm. Saving it is an excellent idea but I have to be skeptical the state would spend the considerable amount of money it would take to move that big concrete structure intact.

-- Larry Goolsby (LGoolsby@aphsa.org), May 05, 2002.