[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by Henry10

Distinct possibility? I would say “good possibility.” WH and Newington have large office or ... worker populations.

Yeah, but at least with West Hartford, it’s redundant with the FastTrack bus line. Useful if you’re not commuting to downtown Hartford but that’s not most of the volume. It makes sense that they deferred that station. You can bus to Hartford and catch the train there.

[East of the River]

Originally Posted by Lincolnian

I rode by the Windsor Locks platform the other day. There was about 8 people waiting and quite a few cars parked there. I've ridden by before and haven't noticed it being that well attended. Hopefully the next stage of the project will get funded to add the double track between Hartford and Springfield. That would provide many more opportunities for people to commute between Springfield and Hartford/New Haven. Currently the schedule from points north of Hartford is very limited due to the single track. Many of the available times do not coincide with normal business work schedules in Hartford and New Haven either inbound or outbound.

I had relatives in Windsor Locks in the 80's and 90's until the early 90's (when they tore out the 2nd track) that station was really busy. Used to be 30, 40 more cars stuffed in there every morning (even filling the gravel and dirt areas) . You kind of watched it decline thru the 90's. I kind of assumed increasing fares and reduced schedule by Amtrak did it in. Based on that I assume some of that demand still exists. As I recall CT transit service from Windsor Locks to Hartford is very limited and not that fast versus Windsor center to Hartford had fairly quick regular service.

[East of the River]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Yeah, but at least with West Hartford, it’s redundant with the FastTrack bus line. Useful if you’re not commuting to downtown Hartford but that’s not most of the volume. It makes sense that they deferred that station. You can bus to Hartford and catch the train there.

I assume that was the thinking. I would be interested if there would be users for WH or Newington to NH or even to Meriden etc for that matter.

[MrGompers]

Originally Posted by East of the River

I had relatives in Windsor Locks in the 80's and 90's until the early 90's (when they tore out the 2nd track) that station was really busy. Used to be 30, 40 more cars stuffed in there every morning (even filling the gravel and dirt areas) . You kind of watched it decline thru the 90's. I kind of assumed increasing fares and reduced schedule by Amtrak did it in. Based on that I assume some of that demand still exists. As I recall CT transit service from Windsor Locks to Hartford is very limited and not that fast versus Windsor center to Hartford had fairly quick regular service.

FWIW, Windsor Locks bought the old train station on South Main St. I believe the town has plans to renovate it. I'm not sure if the town plans to make it the new train station or make it some type of welcome center. Welcome center would make more sense since that station has less parking.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by MrGompers

FWIW, Windsor Locks bought the old train station on South Main St. I believe the town has plans to renovate it. I'm not sure if the town plans to make it the new train station or make it some type of welcome center. Welcome center would make more sense since that station has less parking.

The current station is about a mile from the old historic station in downtown Windsor Locks. It is right off I-91 and kind of isolated from the center of town. The plan is to renovate the old station into a new station for CT Rail and add parking there. The old station which dates to the 1800's is currently being restored with grants and private contributions. Also one of the massive mills near the old station is being converted into housing. Jay

[synchem]

Originally Posted by JayCT

The current station is about a mile from the old historic station in downtown Windsor Locks. It is right off I-91 and kind of isolated from the center of town. The plan is to renovate the old station into a new station for CT Rail and add parking there. The old station which dates to the 1800's is currently being restored with grants and private contributions. Also one of the massive mills near the old station is being converted into housing. Jay

Yea, Windsor Locks has a whole Main St. revitalization plan centered around the Montgomery building being converted into housing and the old train station being renovated and utilized as the train station in 2020.

Apartment Conversion At Long-Abandoned Windsor Locks Mill Boosted By New Train Station - Hartford Courant

[Lincolnian]

The fares are very reasonable. $19 roundtrip from Windsor to New Haven with stops at State St and Union. Weekly and monthly rates are available. With a double track and available commuter parking someone could easily commute to New Haven. Some real warriors might even be tempted to make the switch at Union to Metro North into NYC.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Lincolnian

Some real warriors might even be tempted to make the switch at Union to Metro North into NYC.

Now that’s crazy.

I have a friend that commutes from Hamden into the city. He takes it from Union Station. That’s crazy to me when he could just hop on 15 and pick up the train in Milford. Much quicker.

[GeoffD]

The rail schedule is pretty worthless for NYC access. The last northbound train from New Haven on a Saturday is 6:30pm. Short notice Amtrak is pretty expensive. The last train, Amtrak 146 at 8pm, is $46 1-way NYP to HFD and 8pm is really early to be leaving Manhattan on a Saturday. For two people on a weekend day trip, it makes more sense to drive to a Metro North station.

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

The rail schedule is pretty worthless for NYC access. The last northbound train from New Haven on a Saturday is 6:30pm. Short notice Amtrak is pretty expensive. The last train, Amtrak 146 at 8pm, is $46 1-way NYP to HFD and 8pm is really early to be leaving Manhattan on a Saturday. For two people on a weekend day trip, it makes more sense to drive to a Metro North station.

Well it is not Fairfield County