Sparks station

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.

Sparks, NV
Former Amtrak inter-city rail station
A westbound California Zephyr at Sparks, 1998.
General information
Location	Nugget Avenue, east of 11th Street SP/UP Rail Yard Sparks, Nevada 89431 United States
Coordinates	39.5316°N 119.7519°W / 39.5316; -119.7519
Line(s)	Union Pacific
Platforms	1 side platform 1 island platform
Tracks	2
Construction
Accessible	Yes
Other information
Station code	SPR
History
Closed	May 2009
Former services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station Reno toward Emeryville California Zephyr Lovelock toward Chicago Preceding station Southern Pacific Railroad Following station Reno toward Oakland Pier Overland Route Fernley toward Ogden
Location

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.

References

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.

External links

• Media related to Sparks (Amtrak station) at Wikimedia Commons
• Sparks, NV – Amtrak
• Sparks, NV – Station history at Great American Stations (Amtrak)
• Sparks Amtrak Station (USA Rail Guide – TrainWeb)
• Sparks Amtrak Station at RailCards.com
• Sparks Intermodal Facility – Union Pacific