Rensselaer station

For the station in upstate New York, see Albany–Rensselaer station.

Rensselaer station is an Amtrak station in Rensselaer, Indiana, served by the Cardinal. It was additionally served by the Hoosier State until 2019, when funding for the train was cut.^[3]

Rensselaer, IN
Rensselaer station building in October 2015
General information
Location	776 North Cullen Street Rensselaer, Indiana United States
Coordinates	40.9432°N 87.1551°W / 40.9432; -87.1551
Line(s)	CSX Monon Subdivision
Platforms	1 side platform
Tracks	1
Construction
Accessible	Yes
Other information
Station code	Amtrak: REN
History
Opened	April 26, 1981[1]
Rebuilt	2011–2013
Passengers
FY 2024	459[2] (Amtrak)
Services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station Dyer toward Chicago Cardinal Lafayette toward New York
Former services Preceding station Amtrak Following station Dyer toward Chicago Hoosier State Lafayette toward Indianapolis Kentucky Cardinal Lafayette toward Louisville Preceding station Monon Railroad Following station Surrey toward Chicago Main Line Pleasant Ridge toward Louisville
Location

History

The 1981-built shelter in 2010

A small shelter at Rensselaer was built in 1981 and maintained by the local Lions Club.^[1][4] The former Monon Railroad station was demolished in 1981, and preceding this station was a two-story wooden depot built in 1900. Some of the brick pavement and red tile flooring from the second station is still visible today.^[5]

In 2007, the shelter was renovated. Vandalized windows were replaced, and the exterior was repainted. The station was vandalized again in 2014.^[6][7]

A new accessible concrete platform was constructed with funds from the 2009 stimulus bill. The platform, which cost around $500,000, was dedicated on April 20, 2011.^[5] The 1979-built shelter was later demolished and replaced with a one-story brick building, funded by Amtrak, which opened on August 21, 2013.^[4]

In December 2017, the station's concrete platform suffered damage in a 16-car derailment, triggered by a wheel detachment from a train car.^[8] The damage was not repaired until Summer 2024, when new LED lighting was installed and accessibility features were improved.^[9]

Services

The station interior features benches, a small heater, and electrical outlets. The building is unstaffed and does not feature restrooms, ticketing, baggage services, or vending. A small parking area exists to the west of the station.^[5] As of FY 2023, Rensselaer is the fifth least-used Amtrak station in the network.^[10]