Anniston, AL (ATN)
After purchasing the classically-inspired depot from Norfolk Southern Railway, Anniston renovated it to serve as a busy intermodal center.
Address: 126 West 4th Street, Anniston, AL 36201.
General Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Ticket Revenue (FY 2024) | $385,347 |
| Annual Station Ridership (FY 2024) | 4,286 |
Ownership & Service
| Category | Owner / Responsible Party |
|---|---|
| Facility Ownership | City of Anniston |
| Parking Lot Ownership | City of Anniston |
| Platform Ownership | Norfolk Southern Railway |
| Track Ownership | Norfolk Southern Railway |
| Route Served | Amtrak Crescent route |
| Regional Contact | Todd Stennis, |
Station Building (with waiting room)
The station is a red-brick building in the Classical Revival style, designed by Milo R. Hanker for the Southern Railway and built in 1925. The front has three large arched windows under a pediment; the base is cream coloured stone, and trim matches around windows and doorways. Above the main doors is a marquee (roofed cover) with decorative metal scrollwork.
The building now serves as a true intermodal facility: it is used by the city’s bus system for transferring between lines, and in future is planned to serve intercity bus providers as well.
History & Redevelopment
- In 2001, the City of Anniston purchased the depot from Norfolk Southern for $55,000.
- A full building rehabilitation was finished in 2008. The total cost was $645,600, funded via the Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation Enhancements (TE) program, with the city contributing a local match of $161,400.
- The TE program supports preservation of historic transportation facilities including railroad depots.
- City officials see the restored depot as a catalyst for economic development in the adjacent neighbourhood.
Future Improvements
The city’s three-step plan for further station area improvements includes:
- Relocating the transit loading area to the east side of the canal and building a new sheltered passenger platform.
- Creating parking facilities within easy walking distance to the north and southeast of the building.
- Redesigning 4th Street between Noble Street and the multimodal center to improve access by car, bicycle and foot.
The estimated total cost of this three-phase plan is approximately $2.1 million.
Additionally, a proposed seven-mile extension of the popular Chief Ladiga Trail from northern Anniston to the depot would support pedestrian and bicycle access. This existing trail runs 33 miles from northern Anniston to the Georgia border and connects to the Silver Comet Trail, which continues eastward toward the Atlanta metropolitan area. The new trailhead would be just south of the depot along the canal.
A park is also planned on the west side of the tracks, creating a welcoming gateway to the city for train and bus travellers.
Local Community & Background
Anniston is the county seat of Calhoun County, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- In 1872, the Woodstock Iron Company (organized by Samuel Noble and Union General Daniel Tyler) built a large iron furnace in Anniston. An earlier furnace had been destroyed in the Civil War in 1864.
- Noble and Tyler also created a planned community; Anniston was incorporated in 1879 as a “company town”. The name reportedly came from “Annie’s Town”, after Annie Scott Tyler (wife of Alfred L. Tyler, a railroad president). The town opened to general settlement 12 years later.
- Good transportation access and planning helped Anniston become the fifth largest city in Alabama during the first half of the 20th century.
- Today, Anniston remains a centre for iron mining and cotton growing; it also has factories producing appliances, pipe, chemicals, machine parts, castings, yarn and clothing. Its downtown (focused on Noble Street) continues to redevelop as a regional shopping and dining district.
- In 1917, the US Army established a training camp at Fort McClellan just outside the city; it closed in 1999 and in 2003 part of the site became the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge on 9,000 acres.
- Also, the Anniston Army Depot (opened during World War II) now serves as a major site for chemical weapon stockpile disposal.
Station Features
| Feature | Status |
|---|---|
| ATM | Not available |
| Elevator | Not available |
| Payphones | Not available |
| Quik-Trak Kiosk | Not available |
| Restrooms | Available |
| Unaccompanied Child Travel | Not allowed |
| Vending Machines | Not available |
| WiFi | Not available |
| Recommendation | Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure |
Baggage Services
- Express shipping via Amtrak Express: Not available
- Checked baggage service: Not available
- Checked baggage storage: Not available
- Bike boxes: Not available
- Baggage carts: Not available
- Ski bags: Not available
- Bag storage: Not available
- Shipping boxes: Not available
- Baggage assistance: Not available
Parking
- Same-day parking: Free and available.
- Overnight parking: Not available.
Accessibility
- Accessible platform: Yes.
- Accessible restrooms: No.
- Accessible ticket office: No.
- Accessible waiting room: No.
- Accessible water fountain: No.
- Same-day accessible parking: Available (fees may apply)
- Overnight accessible parking: Available (fees may apply)
- High platform: Not available.
- Wheelchair lift: Available.
Hours
Station Waiting Room Hours
- Monday to Sunday: 09:30 am–11:00 am and 06:00 pm–07:30 pm
Ticket Office, Passenger Assistance, Checked Baggage, Parking Hours, Quik-Trak Kiosk, Lounge Hours
- None of these services are available at this location.
