DeLand station

DeLand station is a train station in DeLand, Florida, United States. It is served by Amtrak (the National Railroad Passenger Corporation). It is about three miles west of downtown DeLand, at the location formerly known as DeLand Junction. DeLand station was originally built in 1918, and stood across from the former Volusia County Fairgrounds. It is scheduled to be served by the SunRail commuter rail service in the future.

DeLand, FL
Location	2491 Old New York Avenue DeLand, FL 32720
Coordinates	29.01709°N 81.35239°W / 29.01709; -81.35239
Platforms	1 side platform
Tracks	1
Connections	Thruway Motorcoach
Construction
Parking	Yes
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Station code	DLD
History
Opened	1918
Rebuilt	June 6, 1988
Traffic
Passengers (2013)	26,502[1]  7.2% (Amtrak)
Services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station Winter Park toward Miami Silver Meteor Palatka toward New York Sanford Until 2005 toward Miami Silver Star Winter Park toward Miami
Future / Former services Preceding station Florida DOT Following station Future services DeBary towards Poinciana SunRail Terminus Former services Preceding station Amtrak Following station Palatka toward Los Angeles Sunset Limited 1993-2005 Sanford toward Orlando or Miami Sanford toward St. Petersburg Floridian Jacksonville toward Chicago Preceding station Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Following station Orange City toward Tampa Main Line DeLeon Springs toward Richmond

History

Station gazebo

When the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railroad (and later the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad) ran passenger service along the line, they also ran local passenger service to Downtown DeLand. The DeLand Spur, which begins immediately south of the DeLand Station (the northern turnout actually cuts across the DeLand Station passenger platform), runs three miles east to Downtown DeLand and terminated at the College Arms Hotel (a public housing high-rise with the same name currently occupies the site). The track ran several blocks east of the hotel to provide freight service to local businesses and was graded all the way to Lake Helen, where it would have connected to the Atlantic and Western Railway, but track was ultimately never laid past Downtown DeLand. The station was acquired by Amtrak and restored in 1988, although a second track at the station fell into disuse and has not been maintained properly since. Up until 2005, when it was truncated to New Orleans, the station also served as a stop for the Sunset Limited.

In 2006, the station was rededicated following a $424,000 restoration undertaken through a partnership between Volusia County, Amtrak, and CSX Transportation; funding primarily came from the Florida Department of Transportation.[2] Work included installation of a new roof and platform canopy, remodeling of the bathrooms, and painting of the building in historically appropriate colors. In 2007, the station received a Preservation Award from the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.[3]

A CSX local freight passing through the DeLand station, May 16, 2019.

Future SunRail service

DeLand station is planned to be the northern terminus of the planned SunRail commuter rail system. This will lead to resumed maintenance of the neglected second track along with other upgrades to the station. The station could also see the addition of a 184 space park and ride lot and a bus drop off area.[4] The station could "spur economic development on the west end of the city, heading toward the St. Johns River".[5]

References

1. "Amtrak Fact Sheet, FY2013, State of Florida" (PDF). Amtrak. December 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
2. Great American Stations. Accessed March 12, 2013.
3. Great American Stations. Accessed March 12, 2013.
4. "DeLand Amtrak Station (SunRail)". Archived from the original on 2009-02-28. Retrieved 2009-03-29.
5. Harper, Mark (May 25, 2019). "SunRail at 5: Ridership for commuter train is growing, but will it ever run to DeLand?". Gatehouse Media. Retrieved 20 July 2019.

External links

Media related to DeLand (Amtrak station) (category) at Wikimedia Commons

• DeLand, FL – Amtrak
• DeLand Amtrak Station and Downtown Spur (USA Rail Guide -- Train Web)
• DeLand SunRail Station Concept
• DeLand SunRail Station Redevelopment Plan
• Deland (DLD)--Great American Stations (Amtrak)