Biden Train Station & SEPTA Win Rail Awards

4 local train stations recognized for design excellence

The renovated Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Railroad Station in Wilmington, Del. is among the winners of the 2011 Brunel Awards International Railway Design Competition.

SEPTA’s rehabilitation of the Fort Washington, Ambler and North Wales Regional Rail Stations was also recognized with a top award announced on Friday.

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the International Union of Railways (UIC), the worldwide association of cooperation for railway companies, chose 43 projects from 11 nations for this year’s top honors. There were more than 150 entries submitted by 14 countries.

The Amtrak Wilmington Station completed a two-year $37.7 million renovation project earlier this year. Company officials say the Wilmington Station is Amtrak’s 12th busiest in its nationwide system.

In March, the facility was rededicated and named for Vice President Biden, who is among the nation’s most high-profile Amtrak riders. As a U.S. Senator, Biden was a daily commuter from the Wilmington Station to Washington, D.C. for 36 years.

The restoration project modernized parts of the station, while keeping some of its historic features. A new passenger information display system and improvements to the station’s accessibility were among the key features added to the station.

"The Wilmington Train Station is truly one of a kind. I congratulate the men and women who worked tirelessly for years to renovate and restore the building," said Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.).

Amtrak was also recognized with a Brunel Commendation for restoring and returning to service formerly wrecked Superliner Coach train cars. That has increased Amtrak’s capacity on some of its longer distance train services.

Read more about the Biden Wilmington Station here.

See the full list of Brunel Awards here.

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