Aberdeen–Matawan station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aberdeen–Matawan
Aberdeen–Matawan station in January 2018.
Location	Main Street and Atlantic Avenue Matawan, NJ 07747
Owned by	NJ Transit
Platforms	2 side platforms
Tracks	2
Connections	NJ Transit Bus: 135 PNC Bank Arts Center shuttle
Construction
Parking	Yes
Bicycle facilities	Yes
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Fare zone	15
History
Opened	June 25, 1875 (ceremonial) July 1, 1875 (regular service)
Rebuilt	May 10–November 3, 1983
Electrified	Yes
Traffic
Passengers (2012)	2,554 (average weekday)
Services
Preceding station NJ Transit Following station Hazlet toward Bay Head North Jersey Coast Line South Amboy toward New York Penn Station or Hoboken
Former services Preceding station Central Railroad of New Jersey Following station Terminus Freehold Branch Stillwell Street toward Freehold Seashore Branch Keyport toward Eatontown Preceding station New York and Long Branch Railroad Following station Hazlet toward Bay Head Junction Main Line Cliffwood toward Perth Amboy
Matawan Station
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
The former Central Railroad of New Jersey depot at Aberdeen-Matawan in January 2018.
Location in Monmouth County, New Jersey Show map of Monmouth County, New Jersey Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Matawan, New Jersey, USA
Area	0.5 acres (0.20 ha)
Built	1875 (1875)
Architectural style	Stick-Eastlake, Carpenter Gothic
MPS	Operating Passenger Railroad Stations TR
NRHP reference No.	84002756
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	June 22, 1984

The Aberdeen–Matawan station is a train stop on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line. It is located in Aberdeen and Matawan, in Monmouth County, New Jersey. This station is about 5 miles (8 km) east of South Amboy. It is also 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Hazlet.

The station is easy to reach from Route 35. It is also close to the PNC Bank Arts Center. This makes it popular with people who travel to work (commuters). It is also used by people going to concerts. It is the busiest station on the line between Bay Head and Rahway.

The station is at ground level on Atlantic Avenue. This road is the border between Aberdeen and Matawan. It has two modern platforms called "high side platforms." These platforms are raised so you can easily step onto the train. There are also two old, lower platforms that are not used anymore. Two train tracks run through the station. You can find a ticket office on the platform for trains going towards New York City. All trains on the North Jersey Coast Line stop here. An old train line, the Freehold Branch, used to be here. You can still see where it was in a parking lot on the southeast side.

History of Aberdeen–Matawan Station

For many years, this train station was simply called Matawan. The original station building and its main platform were in Matawan. Only an extra platform and a large parking area were in Aberdeen. The New York and Long Branch Railroad built this station.

Building the Original Station

The first station building opened on July 1, 1875. It was meant to be a temporary station for regular train service. This was the very first station built on this train line. Back then, it was thought to cost between $4,000 and $6,000.

Changes and Upgrades

In 1982, the original station building was closed. A new, smaller building was put in its place on the north side of the tracks. This new building helped people traveling to New York City during busy morning hours. In 1983, the station got "electrified" by New Jersey Transit. This means electric power lines were added above the tracks. Electric trains could then use this part of the line. Before this, electric trains only went as far as South Amboy.

Becoming a Historic Place

In 1984, the original station building was recognized as important. It was added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places. It was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special historic site.

Renaming the Station

When the station was rebuilt and made bigger in the 1990s, the new main platforms were built more on the Aberdeen side. New Jersey Transit thought about renaming the station to just Aberdeen. But officials from Matawan protested. They felt that Matawan was well-known because so many people used the station. So, the name "Aberdeen–Matawan" was chosen to include both towns.

Modern Developments

In 2003, the area around the station was named a "Transit Village". This was done by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. A Transit Village is a community where people can live, work, and shop without needing a car. Work to redevelop the area around the station started in August 2016. Today, all three station buildings (the original, the 1982 replacement, and the newer one) are still standing.

Station Layout

The Aberdeen–Matawan station has two "high-level side platforms." These are raised platforms next to the tracks. They make it easy to get on and off the train.