Kensington Station

Infobox Station
name=Kensington
type=MARC


image_size=
caption=
address=10417 Howard Ave.
Kensington, MD
line=rail color box|system=MARC|line=Brunswick
other=Ride On
platform=2
tracks=2
parking=Yes,48 free spaces
bicycle= No
passengers=
pass_year=
pass_percent=
opened=1873(B&O)
rebuilt=
ADA=No
code=
owned= MARC
zone=
services=

Kensington Station is a railroad passenger station in Kensington, Maryland. It was built by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

Kensington is currently served by MARC commuter trains. There are 13 scheduled stops at Kensington Station and 1 flag stop daily.

Many CSX Transportation freight trains bypass the station. The station is a former Amtrak scheduled stop, however the "Capitol Limited" inter-city trains now by-pass Kensington.

The station connects with Ride-On bus routes 4,5, and 7.

Station House

The Kensington Station also has a former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad station master's house. The building is opened during the Kensington Farmers Market, which is held in the station parking lot. Inside there is an old stove, a waiting area and a bathroom. You can buy tickets from the self service machine. During the Kensington Labor Day Parade, CSX Transportation offers free key chains and papers. There is also a small model train layout. The platform is a low level concrete platform. On the other side there is a covered waiting area and some benches.

History

The Kensington Station was opened in 1873 by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The B&O constructed a branch through Montgomery County which is now the MARC Brunswick Line. It connected Washington to Cumberland, Maryland and several nearby towns. Later in 1893 the station was a terminal for the Kensington Electric Railway. The railway went up to Chevy Chase, Maryland and was abandoned in 1935.

Parking

Parking is at a premium at Kensington with only 48 spaces available in the parking lot on a first come, first served basis. The parking lot is accessed from Armory Avenue in the historic district. The property of a former concrete plant nearby may be used for future parking expansion. Metered parking on the street is permitted in the historic district.

Bus Service

Ride On bus service connects with MARC passengers at the station. Route 7 ends at the station parking lot and goes to Forest Glen and Wheaton Metro Stations. Route 5 has a stop near the gravel parking lot which is near the station. Route 5 goes form Silver Spring to Twinbrook Metro Stations. Route 4 also stops at the station.

ee also

* MARC commuter rail service

Sources

* [http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/marc/schedulesSystemMaps/marcTrainSystemMap.cfm#stations MTA services map]
* [http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/marc/schedulesSystemMaps/stations.cfm MTA stations list]
* [http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/tsvtmpl.asp?url=/content/dpwt/transit/index.asp] (Ride On website)
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_D.C._Streetcars_%28Maryland%29#Trolley_parks] (Article On history)
* [http://www.mdmunicipal.org/cities/index.cfm?townname=kensington] (Kensington Town Website)