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Shore Line East

 

 This line runs from New Haven, Connecticut to  New London, Connecticut. During rush hour there is some service to Stamford,       Connecticut. At this time high platforms are being installed. The trains are owned by the state of Connecticut and operated and dispatched   by Amtrak which supplies the crews, and sells tickets from Amtrak windows with Amtrak employees.   (The tickets are are      Amtrak tickets marked unreserved Shore line East.) The line uses diesel locomotives and coaches obtained from VRE (Virginia Railway Express. One day this site hopes to add a section for VRE as well as MARC. Any takers? e-mail webmaster@stationreporter.net.) Your webmaster spoke at length with the friendly conductor who answered many questions. During rush hours the trains are packed. She also put an end to the persistent rumors of Metro North operating the Line. Your webmaster was advised that Metro North would cost the state more money due to higher wages paid by Metro North. The conductor responded point blank, "it will never happen!"

The cars resemble NJT Arrow III cars without the center door and without the center door seam. Seating is 3 x 2 and the seats do not flip. Half face each way. In the center where they meet they face each other and there is a table between the two seats. Seats located next to the window have a cup holder-- a nice touch! Seat color is Bright blue  for the high back with Cherry red for the low back

 New Haven Union Station after a two-hour ride from Grand Central. This is an Amtrak Station and Amtrak's presence is obvious. The station is named Union Station. It was built in1920 and restored using federal funds in 1985.  A yard is located to both sides of the station for both Amtrak and Metro North. The main station is on the west side at street level and is also home to New Haven's Greyhound Bus station. Connections can be made to Shore Line East service. A tunnel connects all platforms. From west to east platforms and tracks are as follows:

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  Island platform serving tracks 14/12

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  Island platform serving tracks 10/8

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  Island platform serving tracks 4/2

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  Island platform serving tracks 3/1

No evidence found for tracks 13, 9, 7, 6, 5, 

A new station in downtown New Haven has limited weekday serviced, New Haven State Street. It has four tracks and an island platform serving only the northbound tracks. It has a crossover to Parking on the west side. Shore Line East also serves this station. It is less than a mile north of Union Station. The crossover has a cyan roof as does the platform canopy with dark blue supports with gold accents. These structures are curved (Turtle back) rather than flat. Leaving this station the Northern tracks veer off- presumably heading to Springfield in Massachusetts while the Southern pair continue Eastward.

 All platforms  are short except for New Haven Union Station, New Haven State Street, Old Saybrook and new London.

An abandoned station, East Haven follows

Branford has 2 tracks and1 side high platform on the South side. At this time there is one platform but there are provisions for a future crossover and second platform serving the Westbound track .

Stony Creek an abandoned station follows

Guilford has 3 tracks and 2 side high platforms. The center track bypasses the station. There is a crossover and is fully ADA compliant.. The old station house is still present and is fighting a losing battle against nature.

East River an abandoned station follows

Madison has 2 tracks and 1 side  low platform on the South side. A high platform is under construction west of the current location. The old station house is still present.

Clinton has 2 tracks and 1 side high platform on the south side

Westbrook has 2 tracks and 1 low side platform made of wood  on the south side

Old Saybrook has 3 tracks and 2 island platforms

Lyme,  an abandoned station follows

Black Hill an abandoned station follows


East Lyme an abandoned station follows

Niantic an abandoned station follows

Millstone an abandoned station follows

Waterford  an abandoned station follows

New London has 2 tracks and 2 side platforms. Today's Shore Line East ends here but Amtrak continues to Boston.

Line Report Card

Item Grade
Water Views 6
Other Scenery-Mountains, valleys, etc. 5
Bridge Crossings 4
Station Design Station Houses 4
Structure type (el, embankment, surface, cut, etc) 5
Artwork 3
Ambiance (Appeal) 5
High speed running 5
Rail Action (Curves, squeals, rail rhythm) 5
Length of Ride 5

Final Grade                      47

(Average of above items) 4.7

Home> Commuter Rail > Shore Line East

Revised May 18, 2008

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