Union Station (New Haven)

Infobox Station
name=New Haven
style=MNRR New Haven
type=Amtrak inter-city rail station
Metro-North New Haven Line commuter rail station
Shore Line East commuter rail station

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image_size=300px
image_caption=
address=50 Union Avenue,
New Haven, CT 06519
coordinates=coord|41.297532|-72.926559
line=
Amtrak:
ConnDOT:
Metro-North:
other=CT Transit New Haven:
J, New Haven Commuter Connection (PM only) - Downtown, Sargent Drive
Greyhound
structure=
platform=
depth=
levels=
tracks=
parking=
bicycle=
baggage_check=Yes
opened=1918
closed=
rebuilt=1985
electrified=
ADA=yes
code=NHV (Amtrak)
ZVE (IATA)
owned=
zone=
former=
passengers=640,281
pass_year=2007
pass_percent=1
pass_system=
mpassengers=
services=
map_locator=

Union Station is the main railroad passenger station in New Haven, Connecticut. Designed by noted architect Cass Gilbert, the beaux-arts Union Station opened in 1918 after the previous Union Station was destroyed by fire. It fell into decline, however, along with the rest of the railroad industry in North America after World War II. It was shuttered in 1972 and almost demolished until 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 handsomely restored building features interior limestone walls, ornate ceilings, chandeliers and striking stainless steel ceilings in the tunnels to the trains. In the station, there are newsstands, car rental outlets, restaurants and other stores. Parking for the station has been a major bottleneck, despite a large parking structure attached to the station in addition to parking lots. The parking problem has been partially alleviated by the opening of the State Street Station and the opening of other large parking structures in the area.

Current service

Amtrak

Amtrak runs frequent service through Union Station along the electrified Northeast Corridor rail line. Most Amtrak trains are "Northeast Regional" trains or "Acela Express" trains operating between New York City and Boston.

"Shuttle" trains to Springfield, Massachusetts connect with some "Northeast Regional" trains; other "Northeast Regional"s run through to Springfield from New York or vice versa. These through trains must change locomotives at New Haven, as the track north to Springfield is not electrified, unlike the Northeast Corridor.

Additionally, the "Vermonter" provides through service from Washington, D.C. beyond Springfield to St. Albans, Vermont.

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.

Metro-North

Metro-North Railroad 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.

hore Line East

Shore Line East is a commuter rail service operated by the Connecticut Department of Transportation designed to serve residents of coastal Connecticut east of New Haven 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.

Future service

The states of Connecticut and Massachusetts are considering establishing commuter rail service the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Commuter Rail Line from New Haven to Springfield on the current Amtrak line, with a shuttle bus connection in Windsor Locks for Bradley International Airport.

ee also

* Connecticut Rail Commuter Council is the official state advocate for train commuters and brings station problems to the attention of officials.

External links

* [http://as0.mta.info/mnr/stations/station_detail.cfm?key=252 Metro-North Railroad - New Haven-Union Station]
* [http://www.shorelineeast.com/newhaven.htm#union Shore Line East - Union Station, New Haven]
* [http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/newhaven.htm New Haven Amtrak Station (USA Rail Guide -- Train Web)]
* [http://subwaynut.com/mnr/newhaven/index.html The Subway Nut - New Haven Union Station]