by The Interloafer
The Yankee Stadium station isn't the only Metro-North station under construction right now. The new Metro-North stations being planned or built have been discussed elsewhere, but here's a thread devoted specifically to the third station to be located in Fairfield, Conn.
Personally, I think the appropriate name for this station would be Black Rock. Just like Rowayton, Noroton Heights, Southport, Green's Farms, etc., etc., this would be the name of the section of town it's in (or just outside if you want to be technical). The alternative is naming it Fairfield Metro Center. There are two problems with that name. First, are there examples of other train stations named after individual development projects? Second, how confusing would it be to have "Fairfield" and "Fairfield Metro Center" right next to each other?
But whatever it is to be called, this station construction, in my view, is a pretty Big Deal. When was the last time that the mighty New Haven Line got a brand new station? You'd probably have to go back past the creation of Metro-North, past Conrail, past even Penn Central, to the days of the New Haven. (Okay, I guess for that to be true you have to not count New Haven-State Street and the Shore Line East stations, but still.) At any rate, construction is getting off the ground. Here are photos taken yesterday, Saturday, February 7, 2009.
Platform supports under construction on the north side.
Platform supports under construction on the north side.
A train, I think it was #6541, passes through the construction site.
You'd barely notice the station from the Black Rock Turnpike overpass. Aiming the lens through the fence, and zooming in, this shows an overview. The beginnings of two side platforms are coming into view.
Personally, I think the appropriate name for this station would be Black Rock. Just like Rowayton, Noroton Heights, Southport, Green's Farms, etc., etc., this would be the name of the section of town it's in (or just outside if you want to be technical). The alternative is naming it Fairfield Metro Center. There are two problems with that name. First, are there examples of other train stations named after individual development projects? Second, how confusing would it be to have "Fairfield" and "Fairfield Metro Center" right next to each other?
But whatever it is to be called, this station construction, in my view, is a pretty Big Deal. When was the last time that the mighty New Haven Line got a brand new station? You'd probably have to go back past the creation of Metro-North, past Conrail, past even Penn Central, to the days of the New Haven. (Okay, I guess for that to be true you have to not count New Haven-State Street and the Shore Line East stations, but still.) At any rate, construction is getting off the ground. Here are photos taken yesterday, Saturday, February 7, 2009.
Platform supports under construction on the north side.
Platform supports under construction on the north side.
A train, I think it was #6541, passes through the construction site.
You'd barely notice the station from the Black Rock Turnpike overpass. Aiming the lens through the fence, and zooming in, this shows an overview. The beginnings of two side platforms are coming into view.
"Might as well travel the elegant way."