Kensington station (Maryland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kensington
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| MARC commuter rail station | ||||||||||||||
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| Location | 3701 Howard Avenue, Kensington, Maryland | |||||||||||||
| Owned by | MARC | |||||||||||||
| Line(s) | Metropolitan Subdivision | |||||||||||||
| Platforms | 2 side platforms | |||||||||||||
| Tracks | 2 | |||||||||||||
| Connections | Ride On | |||||||||||||
| Construction | ||||||||||||||
| Parking | Yes, 48 free spaces | |||||||||||||
| Bicycle facilities | No | |||||||||||||
| Disabled access | No | |||||||||||||
| History | ||||||||||||||
| Opened | 1891 (B&O) | |||||||||||||
| Traffic | ||||||||||||||
| Passengers (2018) | 210 daily  0% (MARC) |
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| Services | ||||||||||||||
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Kensington Railroad Station
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | Kensington, Maryland, USA | |||||||||||||
| Architect | Ephraim Francis Baldwin | |||||||||||||
| Architectural style | Late Victorian | |||||||||||||
| Part of | Kensington Historic District (ID80001827) | |||||||||||||
| Added to NRHP | September 14, 1980 | |||||||||||||
Kensington is a train station located in Kensington, Maryland, United States. It was built by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O). Today, the station serves the MARC Train's Brunswick Line. MARC Train is a commuter rail system that helps people travel to and from work.
There are usually fifteen train stops at Kensington on weekdays. On Fridays, there is also one "flag stop." A flag stop means the train only stops if someone wants to get on or off.
What the Station Looks Like
The Kensington station has an old building that used to be the station master's house. A station master was in charge of the train station. This building is open during the Kensington Farmers Market. The market is held right in the station's parking lot.
Inside the old building, you can find an old stove and a waiting area. There are also restrooms available. You can buy train tickets from a machine at the station. During the Kensington Labor Day Parade, the company that owns the tracks, CSX Transportation, sometimes gives out free souvenirs. There is even a small model train display to see!
The train platform is made of concrete and is low to the ground. On the other side of the tracks, there is a covered waiting area with benches. To cross between the platforms safely, there are special signs. These include "crossbuck" signs with warning bells, highway signs, and pedestrian signals. These signals help people know when it's safe to cross the tracks.
The station has two platforms, one for trains going in each direction.
- One platform is for trains heading towards Martinsburg or Frederick. These trains are part of the MARC Brunswick Line.
- The other platform is for trains going towards Washington, D.C.. These are also MARC Brunswick Line trains.
- The Amtrak Capitol Limited train also uses these tracks but does not stop at Kensington station.
Station History
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) built a major railway line called the Metropolitan Branch in 1873. This line connected Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland and other places to the west.
At first, the area around the train line was known as Knowles Station. In 1894, the town officially became Kensington. The B&O station building was designed by a famous architect named Ephraim Francis Baldwin. It first opened in 1891.
From 1893 to 1935, the station was also a stop for the Kensington Electric Railway. This was an electric train that carried passengers to Chevy Chase, Maryland. The Kensington station is considered an important part of the Kensington Historic District. This means it's a special building that helps tell the story of the town's history.
Gallery
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MARC Locomotive #72 arrives at Kensington station
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Kensington station shelter
