There is actually only one hand thrown switch at the north end. (L&N gave Amtrak a cost of $100,000.00 to do this in the late 1970's!) The south end has a hand throw switch for track 2, but the CSX, recently and without Amtrak's knowledge, removed the switch on the north end. Amtrak leases both tracks....
So, the south end is not an issue.
As far as moving to the other side of the track. There are several problems with this. First, there is no room. There are tracks all the way across. Second, Alabam Power has a building directly across the track which is currently being gutted and they have their own plans for that. Further up and down the track, there simply no room to build a platform and it is still above street level and would require 2 elevators to be built.
If you could convince NS to remove one of the "high line" tracks for a platform to be put there, you would still have to build out the tunnel and build a freight elevator. This would be the best solution in the long run. It would still allow direct access to both the NS and CSX. But, the big question is where the millions and millions of $$$ come from?
There is one other solution that has been talked about and, if any change ever happens, this will be done. Trains would pull in/back out from 14th St. This would eliminate the need to use the "new Way" and the 24th St. crossovers. This is where most of the delays are incurred in Birmingham.
One thing that I don't think anyone realizes is that the New Station project only includes the Waiting room and ticket office. It does not address the access to / from the platforms or the platforms themselves. The City of Birmingham has not purchased these areas and will not do any work not on City owned property. There will be some minor work done to mate the new to old buildings, but getting the details of this is what continues to delay the project currently.
Bob
