Newark station (Delaware)

Last updated

Newark
SEPTA.svg
Newark DE station from parking lot September 2021.jpeg
Newark station in September 2021
General information
Location10 Mopar Drive
Newark, Delaware
United States
Coordinates 39°40′13″N75°45′11″W / 39.67028°N 75.75306°W / 39.67028; -75.75306
Owned by DART First State
Line(s) Amtrak Northeast Corridor
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks4
Connections
Construction
Parking256 spaces [1]
Bicycle facilities5 rack spaces [1]
AccessibleYes [2]
Other information
Station code Amtrak: NRK
SEPTA: 90201
Fare zone4 (SEPTA) [2]
History
Opened1877 (1877)
ElectrifiedJanuary 28, 1935 [3] (ceremonial)
February 10, 1935 [4] (regular service)
Passengers
FY 202222,125 [5] (Amtrak)
Preceding station BSicon LOGO Amtrak2.svg Amtrak Following station
Aberdeen Northeast Regional Wilmington
      Acela does not stop here
      Cardinal does not stop here
      Carolinian does not stop here
      Crescent does not stop here
      Palmetto does not stop here
      Silver Meteor does not stop here
      Silver Star does not stop here
      Vermonter does not stop here
Preceding station SEPTA.svg SEPTA Following station
Terminus Wilmington/Newark Line Churchmans Crossing
Former services
Preceding station BSicon LOGO Amtrak2.svg Amtrak Following station
Elkton Chesapeake Wilmington
Preceding station Pennsylvania Railroad Following station
Iron Hill Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Ruthby
toward Philadelphia
Proposed services
Preceding station MARC train.svg MARC Following station
Elkton
towards Union Station
Penn Line Terminus
Newark Passenger Station
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Area0.1 acres (0.04 ha)Built1877Built by Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad ArchitectS. T. FullerArchitectural styleLate Victorian, High Victorian MPS Newark MRA NRHP reference No. 82002346 [7] Added to NRHPMay 7, 1982

Newark station is a train station in Newark, Delaware, on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, serving a limited number of Amtrak Northeast Regional trains and SEPTA's Wilmington/Newark Line regional rail trains.

Contents

Service

A SEPTA train at Newark in 2018 SEPTA Silverliner IV 344 at Newark Station.jpg
A SEPTA train at Newark in 2018

The Newark station is the southern terminus of weekday service for SEPTA's Wilmington/Newark Line; it does not serve the station on weekends or holidays. Like all stations in Delaware, SEPTA service is provided under contract and funded through DART First State. Amtrak Northeast Regional service at Newark station is limited; the station sees one train in each direction on weekdays, an additional northbound train on Thursdays and Fridays and an additional southbound train on Fridays, and three trains in each direction on weekends. [8]

The station is located at Mopar Drive and South College Avenue, and travelers arriving at the station must walk a few blocks north along South College Avenue to reach the University of Delaware or the businesses centered on Main Street. A 380 space parking lot exists, mostly serving park and ride passengers bound for Wilmington, Delaware, or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The James F. Hall Trail also runs along the north side of the tracks. [9]

History

The original Newark station building in April 2012 Newark Station.jpg
The original Newark station building in April 2012

The original station building, originally constructed by the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad in 1877, is adjacent to the southbound platform, and at one time also had connecting branches to Pomeroy, Pennsylvania and Delaware City, Delaware. It is now home to the Newark Historical Society, [10] but does not function as a train station. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since May 7, 1982. The station is built on a "T" plan with a hipped cross-gable roof and Victorian detailing such as ornamental brackets and sawtooth brickwork. [11]

In 1986, Newark's city council authorized an application for a state of Delaware Bicentennial Improvement Fund grant for the acquisition and redevelopment of the Newark station, and on March 27, 1987, Amtrak deeded the station building to the city. By September, the city had hired John Milner Associates of West Chester, Pa., to develop architectural specifications for restoration. Restoration work encompassed the first floor ticket booths, the ladies' and men's waiting rooms, modernized upstairs offices, and rebuilt canopies on the exterior. SEPTA service was extended to Newark in 1997. [11]

In 2012 a new federal grant was awarded to upgrade the station into a multi-modal hub. This includes new platform, eliminating grade crossings, upgrades to the adjacent rail yard and new ticketing machines. [12]

Track upgrades to increase capacity between Newark and Wilmington rebuilt and reconfigured interlockings and added a third track to 1.5 miles of the line. [13] Construction on these track upgrades was completed in 2020. [14]

An extension of MARC's Penn Line commuter rail service from its current terminus at Perryville, Maryland has been discussed, connecting Newark to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Currently, the MTA funds a local bus connection between Newark and Baltimore with a transfer at Elkton station. [15] A bill in Maryland awaiting the signature of Governor Larry Hogan would extend MARC service from Perryville to Newark. In 2020, Representative Edward Osienski and Senator Stephanie Hansen cosponsored a resolution to the Delaware General Assembly that will add commuter rail service between Newark and Perryville, involving an extension of MARC service to connect with SEPTA at Newark and provide an alternate to Amtrak for Delaware residents wanting to travel to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. This resolution was planned to be introduced into the Delaware General Assembly in 2021. [16]

On July 17, 2017, construction began on a project that will add new tracks, accessible platforms and a new station building. A groundbreaking ceremony was held with Governor John Carney, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester in attendance. The first phase of the project added more parking spaces and reconfigured the intersection with South College Avenue at the station. The second phase constructed the new station building, which has restrooms, a waiting area, and parking for bicycles. A covered pedestrian bridge is also planned to be constructed over the tracks. The new station will have a high-level accessible platform between two tracks, allowing the station to serve two trains at one time. [17] On May 30, 2018, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new station building, with Governor Carney and Senator Carper in attendance. [18] The new station building was completed in 2020. [19] Construction of rail upgrades and the new platform have yet to take place; the Delaware Department of Transportation is working with Amtrak to finalize funding and the timeline of construction. [20] The project will allow for the expansion of SEPTA service at the station and for a possible extension of MARC service from Maryland. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MARC Train</span> U.S. passenger rail system in Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharon Hill station (SEPTA Regional Rail)</span>

Sharon Hill station is a SEPTA Regional Rail station in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. It serves the Wilmington/Newark Line, with southbound service to Wilmington and Newark, Delaware and northbound service to Philadelphia. This station is about 12-mile (0.80 km) away from the Sharon Hill terminus of the SEPTA Route 102 trolley, although no direct connection exists between the two stations. It is not a staffed station and has no ticket machines. The historic station building, which was originally built in 1872, is abandoned and is to be restored. It is located at Sharon & Woodland Avenues. Amtrak trains pass through but do not stop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chester Transportation Center</span> SEPTA station in Chester, Pennsylvania

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trenton Transit Center</span> Train station in Trenton, New Jersey

Trenton Transit Center is the main passenger train station in Trenton, New Jersey. It is the southernmost stop in New Jersey on the Northeast Corridor. It is the terminus for NJ Transit trains to and from New York City and SEPTA Trenton Line Regional Rail trains to and from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and an intermediate station for Amtrak trains traveling between the two cities along the Northeast Corridor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilmington/Newark Line</span> SEPTA line between Newark, Delaware and Center City Philadelphia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtis Park station</span>

Curtis Park station is a station along the SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line and Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. Amtrak does not stop here; the station is only served by SEPTA. The station is officially located at Elmwood Avenue near Calcon Hook Road in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. In reality it is located at the dead ends of Oak Avenue, one block east of Calcon Hook Road, and is accessible from Calcon Hook Road from Woodlawn Terrace on the north side of the tracks and Elmwood Avenue from the south side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norwood station</span>

Norwood station is a SEPTA train station on the Wilmington/Newark Line. While on tracks owned by the company, Amtrak trains do not stop here, as it is served only by SEPTA. The line offers southbound service to Marcus Hook, Wilmington and Newark, Delaware and northbound service to Philadelphia and points beyond. The station, located at Winona & Welcome Avenues in Norwood, Pennsylvania, includes a 62-space parking lot on its outbound platform side. Pedestrian walkways and staircases connect the inbound and outbound platforms via the Amosland Road Bridge, which overpasses the tracks. Opposite the tracks from the SEPTA designated parking lot is metered street and lot parking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prospect Park station (SEPTA)</span>

Prospect Park station is a station along the SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line and Amtrak Northeast Corridor. Amtrak does not stop here; only SEPTA serves this station. The station, located at Lincoln and Maryland Avenues in Prospect Park, Pennsylvania, includes a 44-space parking lot. Like the nearby Norwood Station, Prospect Park Station is located right next to the town's library, in this case the Prospect Park Public Library. It is also located near the Borough Hall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ridley Park station</span> Train station in Pennsylvania, U.S.

Ridley Park station is a station along the Northeast Corridor. Amtrak does not stop here; only SEPTA's Wilmington/Newark Line trains serve this station. It is located at Hinckley & Morton Avenues in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, and contains a one-story station house similar to that of Media Regional Rail station built into the embankment next to a platform, as well as a passenger drop-off area at Hinckley Avenue and Lincoln Street. Another platform also exists on the opposite side of the tracks on Ridley & Morton Avenues. Access between the two platforms is available from the nearby Ward Street Bridge just west of the station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddystone station</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Highland Avenue station (SEPTA)</span>

Highland Avenue station is a station along the SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line and Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, one of two stations in Chester, Pennsylvania, United States. Amtrak trains do not stop there; it is only served by SEPTA. The line offers southbound service to Wilmington and Newark, Delaware and northbound service to Philadelphia. The station is located on Highland Avenue and 6th Street in Chester, PA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Hook station</span>

Marcus Hook station is a station along the SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line and Amtrak's Northeast Corridor in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. Amtrak does not stop here; the station is only served by SEPTA. Many locals continue on to Wilmington and Newark. However, some trains terminate at this station. Located at 12th & Washington Streets, the station has a 147-space parking lot. The line offers southbound service to Wilmington and Newark, Delaware and northbound service to Philadelphia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claymont station</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edgewood station (MARC)</span>

Edgewood station is a passenger rail station on the Northeast Corridor in the unincorporated community of Edgewood, Maryland, served by the MARC Penn Line. Edgewood station serves the southern terminus of Maryland Route 755 which terminates at an entrance to the Aberdeen Proving Ground. The station has two side platforms with a small station building north of the tracks. Parking is located on either side of the station area.

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References

  1. 1 2 "Newark Station". Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority . Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Wilmington/Newark Line Timetable" (PDF). Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority . April 16, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  3. "Pennsy's New Electric Train Breaks Record". The Evening Sun . Baltimore, Maryland. January 28, 1935. p. 28. Retrieved January 31, 2021 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  4. "N.Y.-Washington Electric Train Service Starts Sunday on P.R.R." The Daily Home News . New Brunswick, New Jersey. February 9, 1935. p. 3. Retrieved January 31, 2021 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  5. "Amtrak Fact Sheet, Fiscal Year 2022: State of Delaware" (PDF). Amtrak. June 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  6. "Fiscal Year 2021 Service Plan Update". SEPTA. June 2020. p. 24. Retrieved March 11, 2022.|pass_year=2017
  7. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  8. "Northeast Corridor New York-DC schedule" (PDF). Amtrak. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  9. "James F. Hall Trail". Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  10. "Newark Historical Society". NEWARK HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  11. 1 2 "Newark, DE (NRK)". Great American Stations. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  12. "Tiger IV Rail Grant".
  13. "Delaware Third Track Project". The Northeast Corridor. Amtrak. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  14. Luczak, Marybeth (December 7, 2020). "Amtrak, Delaware Complete $71.2MM NEC Project". Railway Age. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  15. "MARC Riders Advisory Council Meeting Summary Minutes" (PDF). MTA Maryland. January 18, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  16. Irizarry, Joe (April 8, 2020). "Lawmakers seek to link regional rail at new Newark train station". Delaware Public Media. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  17. 1 2 Baker, Karl (July 17, 2017). "State officials break ground on $50 million Newark train station". The News Journal. Delaware Online. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  18. "Ground Broken for Newark Regional Transportation Center Building" (Press release). Delaware Department of Transportation. May 30, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  19. "Newark Regional Transportation Center Phasing Plan". Delaware Department of Transportation. July 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  20. "Newark Regional Transportation Center". Delaware Department of Transportation. Retrieved July 3, 2021.

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