Sparks station

Sparks, NV
Former Amtrak inter-city rail station
A westbound California Zephyr at Sparks, 1998.
General information
LocationNugget Avenue, east of 11th Street
SP/UP Rail Yard
Sparks, Nevada 89431
United States
Coordinates39°31′54″N 119°45′07″W / 39.5316°N 119.7519°W / 39.5316; -119.7519
Line(s)Union Pacific
Platforms1 side platform
1 island platform
Tracks2
Construction
AccessibleYes
Other information
Station codeSPR
History
ClosedMay 2009
Former services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station
Reno
toward Emeryville
California Zephyr Lovelock
toward Chicago
Preceding station Southern Pacific Railroad Following station
Reno Overland Route Fernley
toward Ogden
Location
Map

The Sparks station is a former passenger train station in Sparks, Nevada. Amtrak service commenced when the company assumed passenger operations in the United States in 1971.[1] Prior to closing in 2009, it was served daily by Amtrak's (the National Railroad Passenger Corporation) California Zephyr, running once daily between Chicago, Illinois, and Emeryville, California (in the San Francisco Bay Area).[2] Although the California Zephyr still passes through Sparks, it no longer stops at the station.

In May 2009, the station was closed because of its proximity to Reno (three track miles (4.8 km) to the west). Safety issues also played a part, as the former station was in a freight yard and what appears to be the station building is actually a Union Pacific yard office. Amtrak Thruway bus services continue to stop nearby at Nugget Casino Resort. Freight operations continue under Union Pacific.

  1. ^ "Nationwide Schedules of Intercity Passenger Service". The Museum of Railway Timetables. Amtrak. May 1, 1971. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Amtrak System Timeteble". The Museum of Railway Timetables. Amtrak. October 27, 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2020.