Wallingford station (Connecticut) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wallingford
Wallingford station in December 2017
Location	343 North Cherry Street Wallingford, Connecticut
Owned by	ConnDOT
Line(s)	New Haven–Springfield Line
Platforms	2 side platforms
Tracks	2
Train operators	Amtrak and CTrail
Connections	CTtransit: 215, 291, 292
Construction
Parking	221 spaces
Bicycle facilities	Bike racks are available
Disabled access	Yes
Architect	Michael Baker International
Other information
Station code	WFD (Amtrak)
History
Opened	1871
Rebuilt	2014–2017 (current station)
Traffic
Passengers (2018)	9,305  2.62% (Amtrak)
Services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station New Haven State Street toward New Haven Hartford Line Meriden toward Springfield New Haven State Street toward Norfolk, Newport News or Roanoke Northeast Regional New Haven State Street toward New Haven Valley Flyer Meriden toward Greenfield Preceding station ConnDOT Following station New Haven State Street toward New Haven Union Station Hartford Line Meriden toward Springfield North Haven Proposed toward New Haven Union Station
Former services Preceding station Amtrak Following station New Haven toward Atlantic City Atlantic City Express 1991-1995 Meriden toward Springfield
Wallingford Railroad Station
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Wallingford station in November 2013
Location in Connecticut Show map of Connecticut Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Wallingford, Connecticut
Built	1871
Architect	W.P. Dickerman
Architectural style	Second Empire
NRHP reference No.	93001245
Added to NRHP	November 19, 1993

Wallingford is a train station in Wallingford, Connecticut. It is on the New Haven–Springfield Line. Many trains stop here, including the CTrail Hartford Line and Amtrak's Regional and Valley Flyer trains. A brand new station with modern platforms opened in November 2017. This new station is just north of the older one. The old station building is very important and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

History of Wallingford Station

An Amtrak train at Wallingford in 1980

The first train station building in Wallingford was built in 1871. It was constructed by the Hartford & New Haven Railroad. The building was designed in a special style called "French Second Empire." This style was also used for the Windsor train station.

The Old Station's New Life

The original station building stopped being used by the public in 1994. Now, it has a new purpose! It is used for adult education classes. It is also home to the New Haven Model Railroad Club. Imagine all the tiny trains running inside the old station!

For a long time, the train line through Wallingford had two tracks. But in 1990, one of the tracks was removed. The original Wallingford station building is very special. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. This means it's an important historical building.

Building the New Station

Temporary platform used in mid-2016

While the new station was being built, a temporary platform was used. This temporary platform opened on April 25, 2016. It helped passengers get on and off trains safely. It was used until the new, permanent station was ready.

In 2016, a plan was made to improve the area around the station. This plan is called a Transit-Oriented Development Plan. It suggests building new homes and shops near the station. The goal is to make the area more lively and connected to downtown Wallingford.

The new Wallingford station has two high platforms. These platforms are long enough for six train cars. This makes it easy for people to get on and off the trains. The new station cost about $21 million to build. It officially opened its doors on November 6, 2017.

Some train services have changed over time. For example, Amtrak's Vermonter train used to stop here. But it stopped serving Wallingford in June 2018. This change happened because the new Hartford Line service began.