Bridging the Neuse

Company Shops Station, Burlington

Charlotte's History Tied to the Tracks

New Bern Mural Restoration

Company Shops Station before its rehabilitation, 2000.

And after its re-opening in October 2003.

Rehabilitating for modern use a 130-plus year old building that is large enough to house several railroad engines at once, and that had been allowed to fall into disrepair over several decades was a massive task. The goal of the North Carolina Railroad Company was to turn it into more than a functional train station; the company wanted to restore both the building and the sense of pride that the community could feel toward a building that would be the centerpiece of an burgeoning downtown renovation initiative. The building also needed to be an income-producing project for the NCRR, so space would be designed and up-fitted for tenants.

The NC Railroad hired the architectural firm of Moser, Mayer and Phoenix to create a design that would incorporate many of the architectural features of the former engine house wherever possible. Challenges were substantial—even the barrel shaped roof had to be removed to recreate the original silhouette of the building from the 1800’s. The Engine House once had skylights across the roof and large windows that could let in light for workers to see the train repairs they were making. The old bricks, built from North Carolina clay, were too soft to withstand power washing so a baking soda solution was used to remove the white paint from the building. The process revealed the lovely handmade brick underneath and also uncovered the brick detailing at the roofline that wasn’t evident when he building was painted white.

Through the tenacity of the NCRR to recreate the original building as closely as possible, and the design efforts of Moser, Mayer and Phoenix coupled with the construction expertise of Laughlin and Sutton, the old Engine House was transformed into a train station and commercial property that has created much excitement within the community. The cost of this reconstruction project was approximately $3 million.

Today, a branch of the Burlington Police Department leases the top story of the building. There is another space available for lease. Within the next year, a historical display will be installed within the lobby of the station to tell the story of the NCRR and the community it founded—Company Shops. The NC Railroad Company Shops Station was dedicated in August 2003, with the help of former Governor Jim Hunt and Secretary of Transportation Lyndo Tippett.

This project has made a dramatic impact on the overall look of the north side of Main Street. Recently, Company Shops Station won an award from the Main Street, North Carolina division of the Department of Commerce, recognizing it as a winner of the Award of Merit for Best Adaptive Use of a Building.