Trains in the Gate City

Greensboro has been known as the Gate City since the 1800s, because it was a hub with 60 trains a day moving through town. The trains transported raw materials and finished products to and from Greensboro's local manufacturing plants. While trains no longer play the significant role in transporting goods as they did in the 19th century, they still travel through town daily. The above photo features trains on the tracks off of Patterson Street near the Coliseum. While graffiti on trains is destructive, against a blue sky with clouds floating along, it does add a memorable touch.

In addition to freight trains, Greensboro also has passenger trains. Amtrak maintains a robust schedule through town.Tickets to Raleigh, Charlotte, and to other places up the east coast are very reasonable. If you are looking for summer adventures, consider booking train tickets now.

Comments

[William Kendall]

These cars wouldn't be out of place here. Our freight rail lines tend to lie to the south of the city, so the only time I really see a train or hear one is the odd time I'm near the passenger rail line when one is going to or coming from Toronto.

[Lowell]

Graffiti on trains is not new. When I was in my late teens, I worked for a railroad for a brief time - it was a terrible job. But I remember being stunned at the fact that the freight trains were literally covered with graffiti! This was when graffiti was unusual and not acceptable.

Nice to see Amtrak is still running through your town. We need a national conversion from trucks to trains but that's not going to happen anytime soon!