New Canaan Branch
{{short description|Metro-North Railroad branch in Connecticut}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name = New Canaan Branch
| color = {{rcr|MNRR|New Canaan Branch}}
| image = NewCanaanRRstaViewXtracksJul2007.jpg
| image_width = 300px
| caption = {{mnrr|New Canaan}} station
| type = Commuter rail
| system = Metro-North Railroad
| status = Operating
| locale = Stamford, Connecticut, to New Canaan, Connecticut
| start = Grand Central (weekday service)
{{mnrr|Stamford}}
| end = {{mnrr|New Canaan}}
| stations = 5
| routes =
| daily_ridership =
| open =
| close =
| owner = Connecticut DOT
| operator = New Canaan Railroad (1868–1879)
Stamford & New Canaan Railroad (1883–1884)
NY,NH&H (1884–1969)
Penn Central (1969–1971)
ConnDOT (lessor 1971–1976, owner 1976–present)
Metro-North (operator 1983–present)
| character = Commuter rail
| stock = Kawasaki M8
| linelength = {{convert|8.2|mi}}
| tracklength =
| tracks = 1
| gauge = {{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| electrification = Overhead line, 12.5 kV 60 Hz AC
| speed = {{cvt|40|mph}}
| elevation =
| box_width = 320px
| map = {{switcher
|{{maplink-road|from=New Canaan Branch.map}} New Canaan Branch highlighted in red (full weekday route)
|Show interactive map
|{{New Canaan Branch map}}
|Show route diagram
}}
}}
The New Canaan Branch is an 8.2-mile (13 km) long branch line of the Metro-North Railroad New Haven Line that begins from a junction east of downtown Stamford, Connecticut, north to New Canaan. On weekdays, many branch line trains run directly to and from New York City, eliminating the need to transfer at Stamford. It opened in 1868 as the New Canaan Railroad.
History
The New Canaan Railroad was chartered in May 1866 as a short branch of the New York & New Haven Railroad. It opened July 4, 1868 when a train ran from Stamford to New Canaan.{{cite web |url=http://www.vizettes.com/ncrr/about/index.htm |title=About the New Canaan Branch Line |access-date=March 4, 2015}} Within a year of the opening of operations a branch from the NY&NH main line south in Stamford to the pier at the Pine Island Steamboat Landing was opened to allow passengers and freight to switch to steamboats running on Long Island Sound.{{cite web |url=http://www.vizettes.com/ncrr/about/history.htm |title=New Canaan Railroad History |last=Rosemary H. Burns}} Despite such attempts to increase revenue on January 1, 1879, the company went bankrupt, and it was taken over in foreclosure in 1883 by the Stamford and New Canaan Railroad, which incorporated in 1882.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ReAwAQAAMAAJ&q=Trial+Bibliography+on+the+New+York%2C+New+Haven+and+Hartford+Railroadbpv%3D0&pg=RA1-PT36|title=Trial Bibliography on the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad|last=Economics|first=Association of American Railroads Bureau of Railway|date=1915|language=en}} The New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad leased the line on October 1, 1884, and on October 1, 1890, it was merged into the NYNH&H.
On August 7, 1898, the line was electrified using 500V DC overhead catenary.{{Cite web |title=New Canaan Railroad History |url=https://www.vizettes.com/ncrr/about/history.htm |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=www.vizettes.com}} On November 1, 1907, the use of 500-volt DC overhead catenary was discontinued, and in 1908, it was replaced with 11,000 volt AC operation.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FNI7AQAAMAAJ&q=new+canaan+branch&pg=RA3-PA7|title=Thirty-Eighth Year General Statement On The Affairs Of The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company For The Year Ending June 30, 1909|date=1909|publisher=New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Company|page=7|language=en}} Costs were reduced by supplying the line from the Cos Cob station instead of by independent power.{{Cite journal|date=May 15, 1909|title=Conversion of New Canaan Branch From 500-Volt D.C. To 11,000-Volt A.C. Operation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=moxMAAAAYAAJ&q=The+New+Canaan+branch+of+the+New+York%2C+New+Haven+%26+Hartford+Railroad%2C+extending+from+Stamford%2C+on+the+main+line%2C+to+New+Canaan%2C+7.66+miles%2C+which+was+originally+operated+by+steam%2C+was%2C+about+ten+years+ago%2C+equipped+with+a+500-volt&pg=PA900|journal=Electric Railway Journal|publisher=McGraw Hill Publishing Company|volume=33|issue=20|pages=900–903}}
The NYNH&H was merged into Penn Central in 1969. On January 1, 1971, the State of Connecticut leased operation of passenger service along the New Canaan Branch to Penn Central for $100,000 per year. On July 17, 1972, the stations at Woodway and Springdale Cemetery were both closed.{{cite web |url=http://www.prrths.com/Hagley/PRR1971%20Jun%2005.pdf |title=PRR CHRONOLOGY 1971 (June 2005 Edition) |last=Christopher T. Baer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429183901/http://www.prrths.com/Hagley/PRR1971%20Jun%2005.pdf |archive-date=April 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 13, 2008}} On April 10, 1972, Penn Central briefly suspended off-peak service on the branch to install high-level platforms at stations.{{cite web |url=http://www.prrths.com/Hagley/PRR1972%20Jun%2005.pdf |title=PRR CHRONOLOGY 1972 (June 2005 Edition) |last=Christopher T. Baer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825021621/http://www.prrths.com/Hagley/PRR1972%20Jun%2005.pdf |archive-date=August 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 13, 2008}} In 1983, the Metro-North Commuter Railroad took over the operation of trains on the branch.{{cite web |url=http://mta.info/mnr/html/how_does_one.htm |title=On MTA Metro-North Railroad's 25th Anniversary |last=Peter A. Cannito |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424094106/http://mta.info/mnr/html/how_does_one.htm |archive-date=April 24, 2008 |access-date=May 13, 2008}}
Current operation
File:GlenbrookRRstaSeats8StamfordCT07152007.jpg]]
Like the New Haven mainline from Mt. Vernon, New York, to New Haven, Connecticut, the entire branch is electrified with overhead catenary, although it is currently the only entirely electrified branch of the New Haven Line. Beginning in March 2011, the newly delivered Kawasaki M8 railcars started running in revenue service along the branch, and eventually took over operation from the older Budd M2 railcars. In contrast with the main New Haven Line, the branch is entirely single-tracked except for the storage tracks at {{mnrr|New Canaan}}, and there are frequent grade crossings along the branch.
=Improvements=
As of July 2007, a Stamford East Side station is under consideration for the line or just past it on the New Haven Line.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/realestate/08livi.html |title=Living in Glenbrook, Conn.; The Little Town in the City |last=Hughes |first=C.J. |date=July 8, 2007 |work=New York Times |access-date=July 29, 2011 |page=RE9 |quote=Anticipating growth, and aiming to alleviate crowding in Stamford’s main station, the city may add a second stop in Glenbrook, either on the New Haven line or the New Canaan spur, possibly near the Courtland Avenue overpass, where one existed until the 1950s, Mr. Lecar said.}}
In 2011, the three tracks at the terminus – the 10-car main track, a middle track, and what was a short 4-car "Bulk" track – were improved. The "Bulk" track was extended absorbing a row of parking to meet the length of the middle and main track allowing for 3 full trains to 'stack' at the end of the line during the morning and evening rush hours. Electronic switching was added in the years following this improvement. This was recommended in the 2010 Branch Study.{{Cite web |last=CT DOT |date=2010 |title=Rt 8 Corridor Study |url=https://rt8corridorstudy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Phase_I_Report_web_part1.pdf}}
PTC (Positive Train Control) was installed on the branch in 2019.{{Cite web |title=Rail News - Metro-North to improve infrastructure on New Canaan Branch. For Railroad Career Professionals |url=https://www.progressiverailroading.com/c_s/news/Metro-North-to-improve-infrastructure-on-New-Canaan-Branch--57178 |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Progressive Railroading |language=en}}
In 2019, the Stamford Atlantic Bridge replacement project incorporated a new "Track 7" for the New Canaan Branch operation. A new Platform, canopy, and catenary lines were installed to support this new capacity at the Stamford Station. The platform construction was halted during 2022 and remains unfinished as of 2023.{{Cite web |title=Atlantic Street Bridge Replacement {{!}} Stamford, CT |url=https://www.stamfordct.gov/government/operations/transportation-traffic-parking/traffic-engineering/construction-projects/atlantic-street-bridge-replacement |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.stamfordct.gov |language=en}}
Improvements are planned on the line to make service more frequent. A siding and second platform will be built at Springdale. Construction was expected to cost $15 million and begin in 2020.{{cite web |url=http://www.letsgoct.com/RampUpDashboard.html |title=Let's Go CT Transportation Ramp Up Dashboard |website=www.letsgoct.com |publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation |access-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203081017/http://www.letsgoct.com/RampUpDashboard.html |url-status=dead }}
On May 30, 2023, and continuing through August 2023, the New Canaan Branch was shut down for track rehabilitation work, with all service being replaced by shuttle buses. The work entails replacing 8,000 rail ties, {{Convert|1600|ft}} of rails, and insulating rail joints. Repairs will also be made to mud spots, drainage and rail anchors, along with replacing bridge timbers on the Noroton River Bridge and resurfacing the entire line. Upon completion, a stretch of the branch within the Stamford region will have its speed limit increased, from {{Convert|30|mph}} to {{Convert|50|mph}}.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-17 |title=CTDOT Preps for Track Improvements on Metro-North New Canaan Branch Line |url=https://www.rtands.com/news/ctdot-preps-for-track-improvements-on-metro-north-new-canaan-branch-line/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Railway Track and Structures |language=en-US}}
Incidents
On August 20, 1969 at about 8:20 p.m., a northbound commuter train with a 3-man crew and about 60 to 80 passengers hit an empty southbound train carrying only 5 employees, killing 4 and injuring 40 just north of the Hoyt Street crossing in Darien. The lead cars of each train were almost completely destroyed. The National Transportation Safety Board report concluded that the cause was the northbound train's failure to stop at a meeting point as stated on train orders.{{Cite report |date=October 14, 1970 |title=Penn Central Company Collision of Trains N-48 and N-49 at Darien, Connecticut August 20, 1969 |url=https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/46119 |publisher = National Transportation Safety Board |location = Washington, D.C. |docket = NTSB-RAR-70-3}}
On July 13, 1976, two trains collided, killing two and injuring 29.{{Cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NOsgAAAAIBAJ&pg=3911%2C2061955 |title=Two killed, 29 are hurt in New Canaan rail crash |date=July 14, 1976 |work=The Day, New London, CT |access-date=June 26, 2012 |agency=AP |location=Front |pages=1, 5}} In October 1976, the CDOT released their report which only blamed the engineer of the northbound train (Number 1994) for excessive speed. The engineer's union contended that there was a problem with the train brakes, that there was an automatic track lubricator which had been putting down excessive oil for two weeks before the incident and an insufficient signal system.{{Cite news |title=Connecticut Transportation Unit Links Train Wreck to Speeding |last=Knight, Michael |date=October 10, 1976 |work=New York Times }} The National Transportation Safety Board released their final report on the incident on May 19, 1977 as Report Number RAR-77-04. That report concluded that the cause was "the failure of the engineer of train No. 1994 to perceive the train ahead and to apply the brakes at the earliest possible time". It also cited problems with the design of the signal system, design of the M2's exit doors and interior design of the trains.{{Cite journal |url=http://trid.trb.org/view.aspx?id=50367 |title=RAILROAD ACCIDENT REPORT: COLLISION OF TWO CONSOLIDATED RAILROAD CORPORATION COMMUTER TRAINS, NEW CANAAN, CONNECTICUT, JULY 13, 1976 |access-date=June 26, 2012|date=May 19, 1977 }}
The New Canaan Branch was severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy on October 29–30, 2012. The line was blocked by fallen trees in 37 different locations; many of these trees also brought down the overhead catenary wires. Shuttle buses replaced all trains.{{Cite news |url=http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/New-Canaan-Line-restoration-work-continues-4021778.php |title=New Canaan Line restoration work continues |last=Cassidy, Martin B. |date=November 8, 2012 |work=Stamford Advocate |access-date=November 11, 2012}} The railroad announced that regular service resumed on November 13.{{cite web |url=http://www.mta.info/mnr/ |title=MTA Metro-North Railroad |publisher=Metro-North Railroad |access-date=November 14, 2012 |quote=Regular train service resumes on the New Canaan Branch on Tuesday, November 13. |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511165442/http://www.mta.info/mnr/ |url-status=dead }} This resumption was marred by slippery rails caused by rain and fallen leaves, to the extent that service had to be shut down again that afternoon to deploy Metro-North's rail-washing train. Train service resumed in time for the evening commute.{{Cite news |url=http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Leaves-foul-morning-rail-commute-4033077.php |title=Leaves foul morning rail commute |last=Cassidy |first=Martin B. |date=November 13, 2012 |work=Stamford Advocate |access-date=November 16, 2012}}
On February 14, 2023 at approximately 7:30 a.m., an out of service train being moved to enter passenger service overran the New Canaan station, running through the bumper block and crashing through the station fencing before coming to a stop. The engineer and conductor onboard were injured, but not seriously. While this incident caused a suspension of service on the branch throughout the morning rush and midday hours; following repairs, service was restored with the 4:39 p.m. train from Stamford.{{Cite web |last=Gurciullo |first=Brianna |last2=Yankowski |first2=Peter |date=2023-02-14 |title=Service resumes on Metro-North's New Canaan Branch after derailed train |url=https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/new-canaan-metro-north-branch-train-suspended-17783208.php |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=StamfordAdvocate |language=en-US}}
Stations
File:TalmadgeHillStationBridgeOverMerrittPkwy2007.jpg over Merritt Parkway]]
File:EndOfTheLineNewCanaanBranch2007.jpg
The following connecting services are available to Amtrak,{{cite web | url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/timetables/Amtrak-System-Timetable-060118.pdf |title = Amtrak}} Metro-North Railroad,{{Cite web|url=https://new.mta.info/agency/metro-north-railroad|title=Metro-North Railroad|website=MTA|accessdate=June 24, 2023}} and CT Transit.{{cite web | title=CT Transit Stamford System Map | website=CT transit | url=https://www.cttransit.com/sites/default/files/maps/division/stam_MAR2018_local.pdf | access-date=February 9, 2019}}
| class="wikitable" |
| Weekday service only
|style="background-color:#e4ffd7"| |
| Closed stations
|style="background-color:#dfdfdf"| |
| class="wikitable" |
| State
!Zone !Location !Station !Miles (km) !Date !Date !Connections / notes |
|---|
| rowspan=2|NY
|rowspan=2|1 |rowspan=2|Manhattan |bgcolor="e4ffd7"|Grand Central Terminal {{MNR acc}} |bgcolor="e4ffd7"|{{convert|0.0|mi|km|abbr=values}} |bgcolor="e4ffd7"|October 6, 1871{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1871/10/01/archives/the-grand-central-railroad-depot-harlem-railroad.html|title=The Grand Central Railroad Depot, Harlem Railroad.|date=October 1, 1871|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=July 4, 2011|page=6|issn=0362-4331}} |bgcolor="e4ffd7"| |bgcolor="e4ffd7"|{{ric|MNRR|name=y}}: {{rcb|MNRR|Harlem|inline=square}}, {{rcb|MNRR|Hudson|inline=square}} |
| bgcolor="e4ffd7"|{{mnrr|Harlem–125th Street}} {{MNR acc}}
|bgcolor="e4ffd7"|{{convert|4.2|mi|km|abbr=values}} |bgcolor="e4ffd7"|October 25, 1897{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bQ8jAQAAIAAJ&q=harlem+line|title=Empire State Report|date=1981|publisher=New York State Legislative Institute at Baruch College/CUNY|language=en}} |bgcolor="e4ffd7"| |bgcolor="e4ffd7"|{{ric|MNRR|name=y}}: {{rcb|MNRR|Harlem|inline=square}}, {{rcb|MNRR|Hudson|inline=square}} |
| rowspan=8|CT
|15 |bgcolor="e4ffd7"|{{mnrr|Greenwich}} {{MNR acc}} |bgcolor="e4ffd7"|{{convert|28.1|mi|km|abbr=values}} |bgcolor="e4ffd7"|December 25, 1848 |bgcolor="e4ffd7"| |bgcolor="e4ffd7"|{{bus icon}} CTtransit Samford, Norwalk Transit District{{cite web | title=Norwalk, CT | website=Norwalk Transit District | date=September 1, 2018 | url=https://www.norwalktransit.com/norwalk/ | access-date=February 9, 2019}} |
| 16
|rowspan=4|Stamford |{{mnrr|Stamford}} {{MNR acc}} |{{convert|33.0|mi|km|abbr=values}} |1849 | |{{ric|Amtrak|name=y}}: {{lnl|Amtrak|Acela}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Northeast Regional}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Vermonter}} |
| rowspan=6|31
|{{mnrr|Glenbrook}} {{MNR acc}} |{{convert|35.2|mi|km|abbr=values}} | rowspan="2" |July 4, 1868 | | rowspan="2" |{{bus icon}} CTtransit Stamford |
| {{mnrr|Springdale}} {{MNR acc}}
|{{convert|36.9|mi|km|abbr=values}} | |
| bgcolor="dfdfdf"|Springdale Cemetery
|bgcolor="dfdfdf"| |bgcolor="dfdfdf"| |bgcolor="dfdfdf"|July 17, 1972{{cite news |title=Railroad Reworks Timetables |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51234767/new-canaan-branch-july-18-1972/ |access-date=May 16, 2020 |work=The Hartford Courant |date=July 18, 1972 |page=8|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} |
| Darien
|bgcolor="dfdfdf"|Woodway |bgcolor="dfdfdf"| |bgcolor="dfdfdf"| |bgcolor="dfdfdf"|July 17, 1972 |
| rowspan=2|New Canaan
|{{mnrr|Talmadge Hill}} {{MNR acc}} |{{convert|39.0|mi|km|abbr=values}} |July 4, 1868 | | |
| {{mnrr|New Canaan}} {{MNR acc}}
|{{convert|41.2|mi|km|abbr=values}} | | |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
- Philip C. Blakeslee, [http://www.catskillarchive.com/rrextra/abnere2.Html A Brief History Lines West Of The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Co.] (1953)
External links
{{commons category}}
{{Attached KML |display=title,inline}}
- [https://vizettes.com/ncrr/index.htm History of The New Canaan Branch Line]
{{NYNH&H}}
{{Metro-North}}
{{Connecticut transit}}
Category:Rail infrastructure in Connecticut
Category:Passenger rail transportation in Connecticut
Category:New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad lines
Category:Companies affiliated with the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
Category:Transportation in Stamford, Connecticut
Category:New Canaan, Connecticut