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Union Station (New Haven)
Encyclopedia
Union Station, also known as New Haven Railroad Station, is the main railroad passenger station in New Haven, Connecticut
. Designed by noted American architect Cass Gilbert
, the beaux-arts Union Station was completed and opened in 1920 after the previous Union Station (which was located at the foot of Meadow Street, near the site of the current Union Station parking garage) was destroyed by fire. It served the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
until it fell into decline, along with the rest of the railroad industry in North America after World War II
. It was shuttered in 1972, leaving only the under-track 'subway' open for passengers, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on September 3, 1975, but it was almost demolished before the Northeast Corridor Improvement Project came to the rescue in 1979. Reopened after extensive renovations in early 1985, it is now the premier gateway to the city.
The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as New Haven Railroad Station. Its significance is partly as an example of the work of Cass Gilbert
, who also designed the Woolworth Building
in New York and the U.S. Supreme Court Building.
The handsomely restored building features interior limestone
walls, ornate ceilings, chandeliers and striking stainless steel ceilings in the tunnels to the trains. The waiting room is thirty-five feet high, and is a warm atmosphere filled with train-riders. As public transportation expert James G. Clark once noted, "To enter New Haven is to have arrived."
rail line. Most Amtrak trains are Northeast Regional trains or Acela Express
trains operating between Washington, D.C.
and Boston.
Shuttle
trains to Springfield, Massachusetts
connect with some Northeast Regional trains; other Northeast Regionals run through to Springfield from New York or vice versa. These through trains must change locomotive
s at New Haven, as the track north to Springfield is not electrified
, unlike the Northeast Corridor. The locomotive change is usually from an AEM-7AC in the electrified territory to a P42DC for the Springfield line non-electrified territory, or vice versa.
Additionally, the Vermonter
provides through service from Washington, D.C.
beyond Springfield to St. Albans, Vermont
. At New Haven, the Vermonter has P42DC diesel-electric locomotives added to both ends of the train. This is mainly because the trains must reverse direction at Palmer, MA to continue north to Vermont. As the Shuttles and Keystones take up most of the cab cars, two locomotives are used.
Amtrak operates a yard on the west side of the tracks, next to the station building.
Because of Continental Airlines
code sharing
on select Amtrak trains between Union Station and its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport
in the New York City area, Union Station is assigned the IATA airport code
of ZVE.
operates its New Haven Line from Union Station, to Grand Central Terminal
in New York City
. The service is well patronized by commuters, despite the travel time of nearly two hours. Shore Line East
and Metro-North work together on schedules to provide quick transfers of trains for commuters traveling from the Shoreline to Grand Central Terminal
or Stamford.
Metro-North operates a large train yard in New Haven on the east side of the tracks, opposite Amtrak's yard. Work is done here, as well as the storing of train cars and locomotives. It is not uncommon to find trains from the Waterbury Branch
being stored in New Haven between schedules. The consist usually is made up of one BL20-GH locomotive as well as three Shoreliner passenger cars. Smaller yards are located in Bridgeport and Stamford.
A select amount of trains head two minutes east by downtown New Haven into State Street Station
for most commuters' convenience.
train consists allow Connecticut train riders to be able to ride a one-seat train towards Secaucus for football games. This is an exclusive service that started at the beginning of the 2009–2010 football season and was continued for the 2010–2011 season. This is simply an extended version of New Jersey Transit
's Northeast Corridor Line
, as the trains terminate at New Haven. The train consists of an ALP-46
locomotive as well as double-decker passenger cars. The service is operated by Metro-North from Union Station (New Haven) to Penn Station
and by New Jersey Transit from Penn Station through Secaucus Junction
, where transfer to the Meadowlands Rail Line is available.
is a commuter rail service owned by the Connecticut Department of Transportation
and operated by Amtrak
designed to serve residents living east of New Haven along the coast of Connecticut who work in New Haven
, Stamford
, or New York
. Shore Line East trains run primarily inbound from Old Saybrook, Connecticut
in the morning, and primarily outbound in the evening, with a few runs continuing to New London, Connecticut
.
Shore Line East trains are also primarily stored at night within the Metro-North train yard. Shore Line East consists can usually be found idling between platforms at New Haven.
provides bus service to the station on two routes. One is a free shuttle that connects Union Station to downtown and the New Haven Green
for connection to the remainder of the CTTransit New Haven routes. The J Kimberly Avenue route to Savin Rock and Milford also serves the station.
outlet and restaurants that include Dunkin' Donuts
and Subway
and parking is available at the station through garages owned by the New Haven Parking Authority.
The Union Station garage currently hosts two Zipcar
vehicles along with parking spaces devoted to charging electric vehicles.
Free wireless Internet access is available on laptops, on Android and BlackBerry
enable devices and on iPad
(s), iPhone
(s) and iPod Touch
devices throughout the station via the AmtrakConnect Wi-Fi connect service. This service extends onboard Acela Express
, Northeast Regional, and New Haven-Springfield Shuttle trains operating between New Haven, Springfield
, Boston
, New York City
and Washington D.C.
on the current Amtrak line, with a shuttle bus connection in Windsor Locks for Bradley International Airport
.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation
plans to replace the mechanical split-flap display departure board made by Solari di Udine with two LCD display boards that will allow more text for messages as well as more-clear viewing and easier maintenance. The two new departure boards will be very similar to the boards in Grand Central Terminal
.
This is part of a five million dollar project to replace the board, as well as other things such as upgrading to a better announcement sound-system, replacing the tile in the tunnel connecting platforms, and adding departure LED screens on platforms and in the station tunnel.
There has been much controversy over a large three-phase project that is due at Union Station. The plan calls for new parking garages, office space, more space in Union Station to be opened for retail and restaurants, and apartments. Currently, the plan has had some problems, as there are not enough funds for this project to take place.
Currently a complete renovation of the New Haven rail yard is being planned in conjunction will the new M8 rail cars
that have been purchased. Back in October O&G Industries of Torrington placed a bid for $124.8 million to build a new 293000 square feet (27,220.6 m²) maintenance facility. The contract was then awarded on December 11, 2009. Start Date was January 25, 2010. This will be the main repair shop for the electric multiple unit cars, with 13 car spots on three tracks, overhead cranes and floor lifts to allow easy removal of major car components, and a DC Power system. The new facility will also include support shops to store, repair and maintain the major components, with a parts storage area. There will be a second floor which will contain offices and amenities/facilities for Metro-North employees. The upper floors will also contain a training center with simulators a security center and offices for DOT employees and MTA Police officers.
The Estimated construction program cost is $195,000,000.
The total project scope includes:
, Subway
, Dunkin' Donuts
, and Union News (magazine store).
is located around here, too. Vending machines are located here, as well as restrooms, MTA Police, and MTA/Amtrak offices. The stairs, escalators, and elevators, as well as the departure board, are located on the Eastern side as well.
, an auxiliary Dunkin' Donuts, and the tunnel to platforms.
s, each nine cars long. All platforms are used for service in either direction.
The New Haven Line has nine tracks at the station. The northern platform is adjacent to Tracks 1 and 3. The second platform from the north is adjacent to Tracks 2 and 4. The second platform from the south is adjacent to Tracks 8 and 10. The southern platform is adjacent to Tracks 12 and 14. Track 6, not adjacent to any platform in the center of the station, is used only by through trains or idling Shore Line East consists. Tracks 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 don't exist.
All tracks are connected by the stainless-steel tunnel with elevators and staircases leading onto the platforms,
as well as escalators, a staircase, and an elevator leading to the tunnel itself.
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
. Designed by noted American architect Cass Gilbert
Cass Gilbert
- Historical impact :Gilbert is considered a skyscraper pioneer; when designing the Woolworth Building he moved into unproven ground — though he certainly was aware of the ground-breaking work done by Chicago architects on skyscrapers and once discussed merging firms with the legendary Daniel...
, the beaux-arts Union Station was completed and opened in 1920 after the previous Union Station (which was located at the foot of Meadow Street, near the site of the current Union Station parking garage) was destroyed by fire. It served the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad , was a railroad that operated in the northeast United States from 1872 to 1968 which served the states of Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts...
until it fell into decline, along with the rest of the railroad industry in North America after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was shuttered in 1972, leaving only the under-track 'subway' open for passengers, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on September 3, 1975, but it was almost demolished before the Northeast Corridor Improvement Project came to the rescue in 1979. Reopened after extensive renovations in early 1985, it is now the premier gateway to the city.
The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as New Haven Railroad Station. Its significance is partly as an example of the work of Cass Gilbert
Cass Gilbert
- Historical impact :Gilbert is considered a skyscraper pioneer; when designing the Woolworth Building he moved into unproven ground — though he certainly was aware of the ground-breaking work done by Chicago architects on skyscrapers and once discussed merging firms with the legendary Daniel...
, who also designed the Woolworth Building
Woolworth Building
The Woolworth Building is one of the oldest skyscrapers in New York City. More than a century after the start of its construction, it remains, at 57 stories, one of the fifty tallest buildings in the United States as well as one of the twenty tallest buildings in New York City...
in New York and the U.S. Supreme Court Building.
The handsomely restored building features interior limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
walls, ornate ceilings, chandeliers and striking stainless steel ceilings in the tunnels to the trains. The waiting room is thirty-five feet high, and is a warm atmosphere filled with train-riders. As public transportation expert James G. Clark once noted, "To enter New Haven is to have arrived."
Amtrak
Amtrak runs frequent service through Union Station along the electrified Northeast CorridorNortheast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
rail line. Most Amtrak trains are Northeast Regional trains or Acela Express
Acela Express
The Acela Express is Amtrak's high-speed rail service along the Northeast Corridor in the Northeast United States between Washington, D.C., and Boston via Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York...
trains operating between Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and Boston.
Shuttle
Shuttle (Amtrak)
Amtrak runs Shuttles between Springfield, Massachusetts and New Haven, Connecticut along Amtrak's New Haven–Springfield Line. These shuttles connect with Northeast Regional service at the New Haven station, usually a cross-platform or same platform transfer....
trains to Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
connect with some Northeast Regional trains; other Northeast Regionals run through to Springfield from New York or vice versa. These through trains must change locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
s at New Haven, as the track north to Springfield is not electrified
Railway electrification system
A railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units as well as trams so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover. There are several different electrification systems in use throughout the world...
, unlike the Northeast Corridor. The locomotive change is usually from an AEM-7AC in the electrified territory to a P42DC for the Springfield line non-electrified territory, or vice versa.
Additionally, the Vermonter
Vermonter
Amtrak's Vermonter is a 611-mile passenger train service between St. Albans , New York City and Washington, D.C. One trip runs in each direction per day....
provides through service from Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
beyond Springfield to St. Albans, Vermont
St. Albans (city), Vermont
St. Albans is a city in and the shire town of Franklin County, Vermont, in the United States. At the 2000 census, the city population was 7,650. St Albans City is completely surrounded by St. Albans town, which is incorporated separately from the city of St. Albans...
. At New Haven, the Vermonter has P42DC diesel-electric locomotives added to both ends of the train. This is mainly because the trains must reverse direction at Palmer, MA to continue north to Vermont. As the Shuttles and Keystones take up most of the cab cars, two locomotives are used.
Amtrak operates a yard on the west side of the tracks, next to the station building.
Because of Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
code sharing
Code sharing
A codeshare agreement, sometimes simply codeshare, is an aviation business arrangement where two or more airlines share the same flight. A seat can be purchased on one airline but is actually operated by a cooperating airline under a different flight number or code...
on select Amtrak trains between Union Station and its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
in the New York City area, Union Station is assigned the IATA airport code
IATA airport code
An IATA airport code, also known an IATA location identifier, IATA station code or simply a location identifier, is a three-letter code designating many airports around the world, defined by the International Air Transport Association...
of ZVE.
Amtrak ridership
New Haven Union Station is the busiest Amtrak station in Connecticut. The station is the tenth busiest Amtrak station in the country, boarding or detraining nearly two thousand passengers daily.Metro-North
Metro-North RailroadMetro-North Railroad
The Metro-North Commuter Railroad , trading as MTA Metro-North Railroad, or, more commonly, Metro-North, is a suburban commuter rail service that is run and managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , an authority of New York State. It is the busiest commuter railroad in the United...
operates its New Haven Line from Union Station, to Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal —often incorrectly called Grand Central Station, or shortened to simply Grand Central—is a terminal station at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The service is well patronized by commuters, despite the travel time of nearly two hours. Shore Line East
Shore Line East
Shore Line East is a commuter rail service operating in southern Connecticut, USA. A fully owned subsidiary of the Connecticut Department of Transportation , SLE provides service seven days a week along the Northeast Corridor from New London west to New Haven, with continuing service to Bridgeport...
and Metro-North work together on schedules to provide quick transfers of trains for commuters traveling from the Shoreline to Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal —often incorrectly called Grand Central Station, or shortened to simply Grand Central—is a terminal station at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States...
or Stamford.
Metro-North operates a large train yard in New Haven on the east side of the tracks, opposite Amtrak's yard. Work is done here, as well as the storing of train cars and locomotives. It is not uncommon to find trains from the Waterbury Branch
Waterbury Branch
Metro-North Railroad's Waterbury Branch is a branch of the New Haven Line, running north from a junction east of Stratford to Waterbury. Originally built as the Naugatuck Railroad, it once continued north to Winsted...
being stored in New Haven between schedules. The consist usually is made up of one BL20-GH locomotive as well as three Shoreliner passenger cars. Smaller yards are located in Bridgeport and Stamford.
A select amount of trains head two minutes east by downtown New Haven into State Street Station
State Street Station (New Haven)
State Street Station is the secondary railroad passenger station in New Haven, Connecticut located northeast of the primary station in the city, Union Station. The station opened on June 7, 2002, for Shore Line East trains and June 24, 2002, for Metro-North Railroad trains...
for most commuters' convenience.
New Jersey Transit
New Jersey TransitNew Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
train consists allow Connecticut train riders to be able to ride a one-seat train towards Secaucus for football games. This is an exclusive service that started at the beginning of the 2009–2010 football season and was continued for the 2010–2011 season. This is simply an extended version of New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
's Northeast Corridor Line
Northeast Corridor Line
The Northeast Corridor Line is a commuter rail operation run by New Jersey Transit along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. It is the successor to commuter services provided by the Pennsylvania Railroad along the section between Trenton, New Jersey and New York Penn Station...
, as the trains terminate at New Haven. The train consists of an ALP-46
ALP-46
The ALP-46 is an electric locomotive built in Germany by Bombardier between 2001 and 2002 for use in the United States. It is derived from the German Class 101. New Jersey Transit is the only railroad to operate this model locomotive...
locomotive as well as double-decker passenger cars. The service is operated by Metro-North from Union Station (New Haven) to Penn Station
Pennsylvania Station (New York City)
Pennsylvania Station—commonly known as Penn Station—is the major intercity train station and a major commuter rail hub in New York City. It is one of the busiest rail stations in the world, and a hub for inbound and outbound railroad traffic in New York City. The New York City Subway system also...
and by New Jersey Transit from Penn Station through Secaucus Junction
Secaucus Junction
The Frank R. Lautenberg Secaucus Junction Station is a major commuter rail hub in Secaucus, New Jersey...
, where transfer to the Meadowlands Rail Line is available.
Shore Line East
Shore Line EastShore Line East
Shore Line East is a commuter rail service operating in southern Connecticut, USA. A fully owned subsidiary of the Connecticut Department of Transportation , SLE provides service seven days a week along the Northeast Corridor from New London west to New Haven, with continuing service to Bridgeport...
is a commuter rail service owned by the Connecticut Department of Transportation
Connecticut Department of Transportation
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is responsible for the development and operation of highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities in the U.S. state of Connecticut. The current Commissioner of ConnDOT is Jeffrey Parker...
and operated by Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
designed to serve residents living east of New Haven along the coast of Connecticut who work in New Haven
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
, Stamford
Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
, or New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Shore Line East trains run primarily inbound from Old Saybrook, Connecticut
Old Saybrook, Connecticut
Old Saybrook is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 10,367 at the 2000 census. It contains the incorporated borough of Fenwick, as well as the census-designated places of Old Saybrook Center and Saybrook Manor.-History:...
in the morning, and primarily outbound in the evening, with a few runs continuing to New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
.
Shore Line East trains are also primarily stored at night within the Metro-North train yard. Shore Line East consists can usually be found idling between platforms at New Haven.
CTTransit Buses
CTTransit's New Haven DivisionConnecticut Transit New Haven
Connecticut Transit New Haven is the second largest division of Connecticut Transit, providing service on 24 routes in 19 towns within the Greater New Haven and Lower Naugatuck River Valley areas, with connections to other CT Transit routes in Waterbury and Meriden, as well as connections to...
provides bus service to the station on two routes. One is a free shuttle that connects Union Station to downtown and the New Haven Green
New Haven Green
The New Haven Green is a privately owned park and recreation area located in the downtown district of the city of New Haven, Connecticut. It comprises the central square of the nine-square settlement plan of the original Puritan colonists in New Haven, and was designed and surveyed by colonist...
for connection to the remainder of the CTTransit New Haven routes. The J Kimberly Avenue route to Savin Rock and Milford also serves the station.
Station Services
Union Station offers a magazine store that sells quick necessities, there is an AVIS car-rentalAvis Rent A Car System
Avis Rent a Car System, LLC is a car rental company headquartered in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, New Jersey, United States. Avis, Budget Rent a Car and Budget Truck Rental are all units of Avis Budget Group....
outlet and restaurants that include Dunkin' Donuts
Dunkin' Donuts
Dunkin' Donuts is an international doughnut and coffee retailer founded in 1950 by William Rosenberg in Quincy, Massachusetts; it is now headquartered in Canton...
and Subway
Subway (restaurant)
Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...
and parking is available at the station through garages owned by the New Haven Parking Authority.
The Union Station garage currently hosts two Zipcar
Zipcar
Zipcar is an American membership-based car sharing company providing automobile reservations to its members, billable by the hour or day. Zipcar was founded in 2000 by Cambridge, Massachusetts residents Antje Danielson and Robin Chase, and is now led by Scott Griffith, Chairman and Chief Executive...
vehicles along with parking spaces devoted to charging electric vehicles.
Free wireless Internet access is available on laptops, on Android and BlackBerry
BlackBerry
BlackBerry is a line of mobile email and smartphone devices developed and designed by Canadian company Research In Motion since 1999.BlackBerry devices are smartphones, designed to function as personal digital assistants, portable media players, internet browsers, gaming devices, and much more...
enable devices and on iPad
IPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
(s), iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
(s) and iPod Touch
IPod Touch
The iPod Touch is a portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The iPod Touch adds the multi-touch graphical user interface to the iPod line...
devices throughout the station via the AmtrakConnect Wi-Fi connect service. This service extends onboard Acela Express
Acela Express
The Acela Express is Amtrak's high-speed rail service along the Northeast Corridor in the Northeast United States between Washington, D.C., and Boston via Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York...
, Northeast Regional, and New Haven-Springfield Shuttle trains operating between New Haven, Springfield
Springfield
Springfield may refer to:* Springfield , the place name in general- Australia :* Springfield, New South Wales* Springfield, Queensland* Springfield, South Australia* Springfield, Tasmania...
, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Washington D.C.
New Service
The states of Connecticut and Massachusetts are considering establishing the New Haven – Hartford – Springfield Commuter Rail Line from New Haven to SpringfieldSpringfield, Massachusetts (Amtrak station)
Springfield Union Station is an Amtrak train station in Springfield, Massachusetts. Constructed in 1926, as of 2010, Springfield Union Station was the fifth busiest Amtrak station in Massachusetts, boarding or detraining an average of approximately 360 passengers daily...
on the current Amtrak line, with a shuttle bus connection in Windsor Locks for Bradley International Airport
Bradley International Airport
Bradley International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located in Windsor Locks on the border with East Granby and Suffield, in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is owned by the State of Connecticut....
.
Projects
There have been many plans for new renovations and additions to be taking place at Union Station.The Connecticut Department of Transportation
Connecticut Department of Transportation
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is responsible for the development and operation of highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities in the U.S. state of Connecticut. The current Commissioner of ConnDOT is Jeffrey Parker...
plans to replace the mechanical split-flap display departure board made by Solari di Udine with two LCD display boards that will allow more text for messages as well as more-clear viewing and easier maintenance. The two new departure boards will be very similar to the boards in Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal —often incorrectly called Grand Central Station, or shortened to simply Grand Central—is a terminal station at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States...
.
This is part of a five million dollar project to replace the board, as well as other things such as upgrading to a better announcement sound-system, replacing the tile in the tunnel connecting platforms, and adding departure LED screens on platforms and in the station tunnel.
There has been much controversy over a large three-phase project that is due at Union Station. The plan calls for new parking garages, office space, more space in Union Station to be opened for retail and restaurants, and apartments. Currently, the plan has had some problems, as there are not enough funds for this project to take place.
Currently a complete renovation of the New Haven rail yard is being planned in conjunction will the new M8 rail cars
M8 (railcar)
The M8 is an electric multiple unit railroad car built by Kawasaki for use on the New Haven Line of the Metro-North Railroad. It will replace the current fleet of 240 M2's which are nearing 40 years old and the 54 M4's which entered service in 1987.-Design:...
that have been purchased. Back in October O&G Industries of Torrington placed a bid for $124.8 million to build a new 293000 square feet (27,220.6 m²) maintenance facility. The contract was then awarded on December 11, 2009. Start Date was January 25, 2010. This will be the main repair shop for the electric multiple unit cars, with 13 car spots on three tracks, overhead cranes and floor lifts to allow easy removal of major car components, and a DC Power system. The new facility will also include support shops to store, repair and maintain the major components, with a parts storage area. There will be a second floor which will contain offices and amenities/facilities for Metro-North employees. The upper floors will also contain a training center with simulators a security center and offices for DOT employees and MTA Police officers.
The Estimated construction program cost is $195,000,000.
- Federal FTA Grants $94,500,00
- State Match to Federal Grant $23,625,000
- Federal ARRA Grant $29,927,641
- State Funding $47,000,000
The total project scope includes:
- M-8 Acceptance Facility -> Construction Complete
- EMU and CSR Shop Improvements -> Completion scheduled for April 2010
- Component Change-Out Facility -> Construction started January 25, 2010, Construction scheduled for completion October 11, 2012 and be fully Operational by the spring of 2013
- Diesel Storage Yard -> Bid Opening Held January 6, 2010. Award was scheduled for March 2010.
- Renovation of the EMU annex for Maintenance of Way
- Stores Building Demolition
- Running Repair shop upgrades
- West End Yard
- EMU/Program Shop Upgrades
- East End Yard
- Main Line Signal System Modification
- Employee Parking
- Purchase and Fit Out Off Site Warehouse
- Independent Wheel Truing Facility
- Fuel Cells for CCO Facility
- Pedestrian Bridge
- Yard Signal System
- Conversion CSR Shop to Paint and Heavy Repair Shop
- Rail Car Wash Facility
- Final Track Completion
Layout of station
Union Station is four stories tall with five floors in total. The waiting room, main concourse, is filled with wooden benches that hold model New Haven Railroad trains. Ticket booths for all trains are located on one side of the room (as well as ticket machines). On the other side of the room, there is an automated teller machineAutomated teller machine
An automated teller machine or automatic teller machine, also known as a Cashpoint , cash machine or sometimes a hole in the wall in British English, is a computerised telecommunications device that provides the clients of a financial institution with access to financial transactions in a public...
, Subway
Subway (restaurant)
Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...
, Dunkin' Donuts
Dunkin' Donuts
Dunkin' Donuts is an international doughnut and coffee retailer founded in 1950 by William Rosenberg in Quincy, Massachusetts; it is now headquartered in Canton...
, and Union News (magazine store).
Front of station
At Union Station's main entrance, a lane is before Union Avenue. Taxis line the lane waiting to take passengers, along with a city bus stop, and room for cars to drive through to conveniently drop people off in front of the station without disrupting Union Avenue traffic. Parking is allowed opposite of the taxis as long as the car only remains there for five to ten minutes.West End
Elevators are located at the West End of Union Station that can bring people to other levels, including the balcony that surround the main concourse. A Greyhound bus station is located here, with a small waiting room, office, and outdoor bus stop. The Amtrak Station Office is also located at the West End.East End
The East End of Union Station hosts many things. At the far end, a door leads to the main parking garage directly next door to the station. An automated teller machineAutomated teller machine
An automated teller machine or automatic teller machine, also known as a Cashpoint , cash machine or sometimes a hole in the wall in British English, is a computerised telecommunications device that provides the clients of a financial institution with access to financial transactions in a public...
is located around here, too. Vending machines are located here, as well as restrooms, MTA Police, and MTA/Amtrak offices. The stairs, escalators, and elevators, as well as the departure board, are located on the Eastern side as well.
Upper Levels
A balcony surrounds the main concourse that will probably be used as restaurant space in the near future. Office space is located on the third and fourth floors.Lower Level
The lower level hosts office space, as well as Amtrak Police, SbarroSbarro
Sbarro is a bankrupt chain of pizza restaurants that specializes in traditional Italian cuisine, including its most popular menu item "pizza by the slice." Its headquarters is located in Melville, Huntington, New York.- History :...
, an auxiliary Dunkin' Donuts, and the tunnel to platforms.
Platform and track configuration
This station has four high-level island platformIsland platform
An island platform is a station layout arrangement where a single platform is positioned between two tracks within a railway station, tram stop or transitway interchange...
s, each nine cars long. All platforms are used for service in either direction.
The New Haven Line has nine tracks at the station. The northern platform is adjacent to Tracks 1 and 3. The second platform from the north is adjacent to Tracks 2 and 4. The second platform from the south is adjacent to Tracks 8 and 10. The southern platform is adjacent to Tracks 12 and 14. Track 6, not adjacent to any platform in the center of the station, is used only by through trains or idling Shore Line East consists. Tracks 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 don't exist.
All tracks are connected by the stainless-steel tunnel with elevators and staircases leading onto the platforms,
as well as escalators, a staircase, and an elevator leading to the tunnel itself.
See also
- Connecticut Rail Commuter CouncilConnecticut Rail Commuter CouncilThe Connecticut Rail Commuter Council is an independent state board that acts as an advocate for commuters on the Metro-North and Shore Line East railroads....
is the official state advocate for train commuters and brings station problems to the attention of officials.
External links
- Metro-North Railroad – New Haven-Union Station
- List of upcoming Metro-North train arrival and departure times and track assignments from MTA
- Shore Line East – Union Station, New Haven
- New Haven Amtrak Station (USA Rail Guide – Train Web)
- Photo collection of New Haven Union Station and Solari Departure Board
- The Subway Nut – New Haven Union Station
- One Seat Ticket to Football Games
- New Haven Independent article on the Solari departure board replacement
- The Three-Phase Union Station Plan
- More on the Union Station Plan
- Station Building from Union Avenue from Google Maps Street View