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Coordinates: 40°19′00″N 74°37′24″W / 40.3167°N 74.6233°W / 40.3167; -74.6233
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Crescent and Palmetto do not stop in Princeton Junction
Undid revision 1248645833 by Endrias Kassa (talk) also removed the now discontinued silver star.
 
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{{distinguish|Princeton station (NJ Transit)}}
{{distinguish|Princeton station (NJ Transit)}}
{{Infobox station
{{Infobox station
| name = Princeton Junction
| name = Princeton Junction<br /><small>at West Windsor</small>
| style = NJ Transit
| style = NJ Transit
| image = Princeton---Princeton-Junction---Train-Station---Platform---(Gentry).jpg
| image = Princeton---Princeton-Junction---Train-Station---Platform---(Gentry).jpg
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| accessible = Yes
| accessible = Yes
| code = {{Amtrak code|PJC}}
| code = {{Amtrak code|PJC}}
| iata = ZTJ
| zone = 19 (NJT)<ref name="timetables">{{Cite web |url=http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/rail/R0070.pdf |title=Northeast Corridor Timetables |publisher=[[New Jersey Transit Rail Operations]] |access-date=November 27, 2010}}</ref>
| zone = 19 (NJT)<ref name="timetables">{{Cite web |url=http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/rail/R0070.pdf |title=Northeast Corridor Timetables |publisher=[[New Jersey Transit Rail Operations]] |access-date=November 27, 2010}}</ref>
| opened = 1864
| opened = 1864
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{{rail pass box|system=Amtrak|passengers={{Amtrak ridership|Princeton Junction}} annually{{Amtrak ridership|citationNJ}}|pass_year={{Amtrak ridership|date}}}}
{{rail pass box|system=Amtrak|passengers={{Amtrak ridership|Princeton Junction}} annually{{Amtrak ridership|citationNJ}}|pass_year={{Amtrak ridership|date}}}}
| services = {{Adjacent stations|system1=Amtrak
| services = {{Adjacent stations|system1=Amtrak
|line1=Keystone Service|left1=Trenton|right1=New Brunswick
|line1=Keystone Service|left1=Trenton|right1=New Brunswick|note-mid1=Limited service
|line2=Northeast Regional|left2=Trenton|right2=New Brunswick
|line2=Northeast Regional|left2=Trenton|right2=New Brunswick
|line3=Acela|nonstop3=yes
|line3=Acela|nonstop3=yes
Line 41: Line 42:
|line8=Pennsylvanian|nonstop8=yes
|line8=Pennsylvanian|nonstop8=yes
|line9=Silver Meteor|nonstop9=yes
|line9=Silver Meteor|nonstop9=yes
|line10=Silver Star|nonstop10=yes
|line11=Vermonter|nonstop11=yes
|line11=Vermonter|nonstop11=yes
|system12=NJ Transit
|system12=NJ Transit
|line12=Northeast Corridor|left12=Hamilton|right12=New Brunswick
|line12=Northeast Corridor|left12=Hamilton|right12=Jersey Avenue|oneway-right12=Yes
|line13=Northeast Corridor|left13=Hamilton|right13=Jersey Avenue|oneway-right13=Yes
|line14=Princeton|left14=Princeton
|line14=Princeton|left14=Princeton
}}
}}
| other_services_collapsible = yes
| other_services_collapsible = yes
| other_services_header = Former services
| other_services_header = Former services
| other_services = {{Adjacent stations|system1=Pennsylvania Railroad
| other_services = {{Adjacent stations|system1=Pennsylvania Railroad
|line2=main|left2=Trenton|right2=Plainsboro
|line2=main|left2=Trenton|right2=Plainsboro
|line3=Princeton Branch|left3=Penns Neck
|line3=Princeton Branch|left3=Penns Neck
|system4=Amtrak
|system4=Amtrak
|line4=Pennsylvanian|left4=Trenton|right4=Newark, New Jersey
|line5=Crescent|left5=Trenton|right5=New Brunswick|oneway-left5=yes,
|line6=Pennsylvanian|left6=Trenton|right6=Newark, New Jersey
}}
}}
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-custom = {{Infobox mapframe |shape=none |line=none |marker=rail |marker-color=#000 |zoom=12 }}
}}
}}


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Princeton Junction's origins can be traced back to the [[United New Jersey Railroad and Canal Company]], the predecessor of the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] in the 19th century. The original station was built in 1864,<ref>{{cite book |url=http://orfe.princeton.edu/~alaink/Dinky/PrincetonStation.pdf |title=Triumph V: Philadelphia to New York 1830–2002 |first1=David W. |last1=Messer |first2=Charles S. |last2=Roberts |year=2002 |page=89 |access-date=October 11, 2016 |archive-date=October 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005114731/http://orfe.princeton.edu/~alaink/Dinky/PrincetonStation.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> in preparation for Princeton Branch service to begin in 1865.
Princeton Junction's origins can be traced back to the [[United New Jersey Railroad and Canal Company]], the predecessor of the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] in the 19th century. The original station was built in 1864,<ref>{{cite book |url=http://orfe.princeton.edu/~alaink/Dinky/PrincetonStation.pdf |title=Triumph V: Philadelphia to New York 1830–2002 |first1=David W. |last1=Messer |first2=Charles S. |last2=Roberts |year=2002 |page=89 |access-date=October 11, 2016 |archive-date=October 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005114731/http://orfe.princeton.edu/~alaink/Dinky/PrincetonStation.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> in preparation for Princeton Branch service to begin in 1865.


[[Albert Einstein]], who lived at [[Albert Einstein House|112 Mercer Street in Princeton]], used to enjoy sitting at the station and watching the trains go by.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/07/quicker_cheaper_bus_may_replac.html |title=Proposal to replace Princeton's longtime 'Dinky' train with bus line saddens sentimental locals |last=Frassinelli |first=Mike |date=July 17, 2010 |work=The Star Ledger |access-date=May 9, 2012}}</ref> More than once, he employed trains to explain the practical effects of his [[General relativity|General Theory of Relativity]].
[[Albert Einstein]], who lived at [[Albert Einstein House|112 Mercer Street in Princeton]], used to enjoy sitting at the station and watching the trains go by.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/07/quicker_cheaper_bus_may_replac.html |title=Proposal to replace Princeton's longtime 'Dinky' train with bus line saddens sentimental locals |last=Frassinelli |first=Mike |date=July 17, 2010 |work=The Star-Ledger |access-date=May 9, 2012}}</ref> More than once, he employed trains to explain the practical effects of his [[General relativity|General Theory of Relativity]].


The Pennsylvania Railroad depot at Princeton Junction caught fire on December&nbsp;27, 1953. The fire, believed to be caused by rodents eating electrical wire, trapped the station caretaker that lived in the building. Virginia Worrilow, the caretaker, stated that she heard a crackling noise similar to a fire from several years prior. When she opened the door to check on the fire, Worrilow had flames trap her in the second-story room. Worrilow escaped to the roof of the station and police rescued her. However, her dog perished in the fire.<ref name="1953fire" />
The Pennsylvania Railroad depot at Princeton Junction caught fire on December&nbsp;27, 1953. The fire, believed to be caused by rodents eating electrical wire, trapped the station caretaker that lived in the building. Virginia Worrilow, the caretaker, stated that she heard a crackling noise similar to a fire from several years prior. When she opened the door to check on the fire, Worrilow had flames trap her in the second-story room. Worrilow escaped to the roof of the station and police rescued her. However, her dog perished in the fire.<ref name="1953fire" />


In 1965, a prototype for the high-speed [[Budd Metroliner|Metroliner]] passed through the station at the record speed (at that time) of {{convert|164|mph}} on a short demonstration run. Very few sections of the Northeast Corridor were capable of handling that speed, and most had to be upgraded before Penn Central's ''Metroliner'' service was introduced in 1969. A speed of {{Convert|170.8|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} was achieved on the same portion of track on December 20, 1967, when the U.S.-built [[UAC TurboTrain]] set the rail speed record in North America. A plaque at the station commemorates the event.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ewh.ieee.org/cmte/asmeltc/hsr_plaque.htm |title=Dedication of plaque commemorating high speed rail in America |website=National Capital Land Transportation Committee}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ns3010.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=891806 |title=High speed rail commemorative plaque in Princeton Junction station |website=www.ns3010 .rrpicturearchives.net}}</ref>
In 1965, a prototype for the high-speed [[Budd Metroliner|Metroliner]] passed through the station at the record speed (at that time) of {{convert|164|mph}} on a short demonstration run. Very few sections of the Northeast Corridor were capable of handling that speed, and most had to be upgraded before Penn Central's ''Metroliner'' service was introduced in 1969. A speed of {{Convert|170.8|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} was achieved on the same portion of the track on December 20, 1967, when the U.S.-built [[UAC TurboTrain]] set the rail speed record in North America. A plaque at the station commemorates the event.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ewh.ieee.org/cmte/asmeltc/hsr_plaque.htm |title=Dedication of plaque commemorating high speed rail in America |website=National Capital Land Transportation Committee}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ns3010.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=891806 |title=High speed rail commemorative plaque in Princeton Junction station |website=www.ns3010 .rrpicturearchives.net}}</ref>


The present station house was built in 1987.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greatamericanstations.com/Stations/PJC/Station_view |title=Princeton Junction, NJ |website=Great American Stations |access-date=April 27, 2016}}</ref> Most of Amtrak's Princeton Junction service prior to 2005 was [[Clocker (train)|''Clocker'']] service commuter traffic to New York, [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]], or [[Philadelphia]]. On October 28, 2005, the ''Clockers'' were replaced by NJT trains that run only as far south as Trenton.{{Citation needed|date=January 2018}}
The present station house was built in 1987.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greatamericanstations.com/Stations/PJC/Station_view |title=Princeton Junction, NJ |website=Great American Stations |access-date=April 27, 2016}}</ref> Most of Amtrak's Princeton Junction service prior to 2005 was [[Clocker (train)|''Clocker'']] service commuter traffic to New York, [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]], or [[Philadelphia]]. On October 28, 2005, the ''Clockers'' were replaced by NJT trains that run only as far south as Trenton.{{Citation needed|date=January 2018}}

The Northbound ''Crescent'' stopped here from November 24, 2022 to July 4, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://juckins.net/amtrak_timetables/archive/timetables_Crescent_20230704_external.pdf|title=AMTRAK'S CRESCENT|publisher=Rail Passenger's Association|date=July 4, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://juckins.net/amtrak_timetables/archive/timetables_Crescent_20221207_external.pdf|title=AMTRAK'S CRESCENT|publisher=Rail Passenger's Association|date=December 7, 2022}}</ref>

On October&nbsp;13, 2023, Amtrak announced Princeton Junction station, along with [[New Brunswick station]], would receive upgraded service due to increased demand.<ref name="nb/pj2023">{{cite press release|url=https://media.amtrak.com/2023/10/new-brunswick-princeton-junction-service-increase/|title=Amtrak Adds More Service for Customers at New Brunswick and Princeton Junction|publisher=[[Amtrak]]|date=October 13, 2023|accessdate=October 14, 2023}}</ref>


=== Transit village ===
=== Transit village ===
Princeton Junction has been designated the core of the West Windsor [[transit village]], a [[smart growth]] initiative to promote [[transit-oriented development]] which can include government incentives to encourage compact, higher density, mixed-use development within walking distance of the station.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=West Windsor gains Transit Village designation Township becomes 24th Transit Village in New Jersey |date=January 5, 2012 |publisher=NJDOT |url=http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/about/press/2012/010512.shtm |access-date=May 25, 2012}}</ref> Development adjacent to the station permits higher densities and will include retail end entertainment elements.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/realestate/new-jersey-in-the-region-creating-urbanism-in-a-suburb.html |title=An Unofficial Transit Village |date=October 9, 2011 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 27, 2016}}</ref>
Princeton Junction has been designated the core of the West Windsor [[transit village]], a [[smart growth]] initiative to promote [[transit-oriented development]] which can include government incentives to encourage compact, higher density, mixed-use development within walking distance of the station.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=West Windsor gains Transit Village designation Township becomes 24th Transit Village in New Jersey |date=January 5, 2012 |publisher=NJDOT |url=http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/about/press/2012/010512.shtm |access-date=May 25, 2012}}</ref> Development adjacent to the station permits higher densities and will include retail end entertainment elements.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/realestate/new-jersey-in-the-region-creating-urbanism-in-a-suburb.html |title=An Unofficial Transit Village |date=October 9, 2011 |last=Martin |first=Antoinette |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 27, 2016}}</ref>


== Service ==
== Service ==
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As of 2017, Princeton Junction was the 6th-busiest station in the [[NJ Transit Rail Operations|NJ Transit rail system]], with an average of 6,817 weekday boardings.<ref name="NJT ridership" /> In addition to the [[Northeast Corridor Line]], NJT operates a {{convert|2.7|mi|adj=on}} spur line, the [[Princeton Branch]], to [[Princeton station (NJ Transit)|Princeton station]] located at the [[Princeton University]] campus in [[Princeton, New Jersey|Princeton]]. The shuttle is colloquially known as the "Dinky",<ref>{{cite web|title=Princeton University: Train Travel|url=http://www.princeton.edu/pr/visitors/traintravel.shtml|publisher=Princeton University|access-date=October 9, 2011}}</ref> and has also been known as the "PJ&B" (for "Princeton Junction and Back").<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.railpace.com/store/njt_book.htm |title=NJ Transit Rail Operations |last1=Rosenbaum |first1=Joel |last2=Gallo |first2=Tom |publisher=Railpace Newsmagazine |year=1997 |access-date=October 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003090513/http://www.railpace.com/store/njt_book.htm |archive-date=October 3, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Two train cars, or sometimes just one, are used. A single [[railroad switch|switch]] connects the branch to the Northeast Corridor tracks north of the station.
As of 2017, Princeton Junction was the 6th-busiest station in the [[NJ Transit Rail Operations|NJ Transit rail system]], with an average of 6,817 weekday boardings.<ref name="NJT ridership" /> In addition to the [[Northeast Corridor Line]], NJT operates a {{convert|2.7|mi|adj=on}} spur line, the [[Princeton Branch]], to [[Princeton station (NJ Transit)|Princeton station]] located at the [[Princeton University]] campus in [[Princeton, New Jersey|Princeton]]. The shuttle is colloquially known as the "Dinky",<ref>{{cite web|title=Princeton University: Train Travel|url=http://www.princeton.edu/pr/visitors/traintravel.shtml|publisher=Princeton University|access-date=October 9, 2011}}</ref> and has also been known as the "PJ&B" (for "Princeton Junction and Back").<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.railpace.com/store/njt_book.htm |title=NJ Transit Rail Operations |last1=Rosenbaum |first1=Joel |last2=Gallo |first2=Tom |publisher=Railpace Newsmagazine |year=1997 |access-date=October 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003090513/http://www.railpace.com/store/njt_book.htm |archive-date=October 3, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Two train cars, or sometimes just one, are used. A single [[railroad switch|switch]] connects the branch to the Northeast Corridor tracks north of the station.


Service on the Princeton Branch was suspended from October 14, 2018 through May 11, 2019, replaced by shuttle buses, as part of NJT's systemwide service reductions during the installation and testing of [[positive train control]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGeehan |first1=Patrick |title=For New Jersey Rail Commuters, a Bad Situation Is About to Get Worse |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/20/nyregion/nj-transit-trains.html |access-date=October 15, 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Governor Murphy, NJ Transit Announce ACRL and Princeton Dinky to Resume May 12th |url=https://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&PRESS_RELEASE_ID=3289 |publisher=New Jersey Transit |date=April 17, 2019 |access-date=May 1, 2019}}</ref>
Service on the Princeton Branch was suspended from October 14, 2018 through May 11, 2019, replaced by shuttle buses, as part of NJT's systemwide service reductions during the installation and testing of [[positive train control]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGeehan |first1=Patrick |title=For New Jersey Rail Commuters, a Bad Situation Is About to Get Worse |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/20/nyregion/nj-transit-trains.html |access-date=October 15, 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Governor Murphy, NJ Transit Announce ACRL and Princeton Dinky to Resume May 12th |url=https://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&PRESS_RELEASE_ID=3289 |publisher=New Jersey Transit |date=April 17, 2019 |access-date=May 1, 2019 |archive-date=November 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102163405/https://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&PRESS_RELEASE_ID=3289 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

⚫
Amtrak provides two early-morning trains to [[Washington, D.C.]], and two evening returns, as well as one morning train to [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]] and one evening return, all of which call at [[Philadelphia]]. Many more Amtrak trains stop at the nearby [[Trenton Transit Center]]. Until 2007, all Amtrak ''[[Pennsylvanian (train)|Pennsylvanian]]'' trains stopped at Princeton Junction. The southbound Amtrak ''[[Palmetto (train)|Palmetto]]'' began stopping in Princeton Junction on weekdays in October 2015.


⚫
Amtrak provides two early-morning trains to [[Washington, D.C.]], and two evening returns, as well as one morning train to [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]] and one evening return, all of which call at [[Philadelphia]]. Many more Amtrak trains stop at the nearby [[Trenton Transit Center]]. Until 2007, all Amtrak ''[[Pennsylvanian (train)|Pennsylvanian]]'' trains stopped at Princeton Junction.
The [[Bus rapid transit in New Jersey#Central Jersey Route 1 Corridor|Central Jersey Route 1 Corridor BRT]] is a proposed bus rapid transit system which would use Princeton Junction as its hub.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dvrpc.org/LongRangePlan/CentralJerseyForum/brt.htm |title=US 1 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) |date=2012 |publisher=Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission |access-date=March 30, 2012 |archive-date=March 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305002529/http://www.dvrpc.org/LongRangePlan/CentralJerseyForum/brt.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=Project072To |title=Fact Sheet 2008 |date=2008 |website=Central New jersey Route 1 Bus Rapid Transit Project |publisher=New Jersey Transit |access-date=April 1, 2012 |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014165432/http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=Project072To |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=Rte1>{{cite web | title = Central NJ Route 1 BRT | work = NJ Transit Bus Service: The Next Generation | publisher = New Jersey Transit | date = April 26, 2010 | url = http://www.apta.com/mc/multimodal/previous/2010/Presentations/New-Jersey-Transit-BRT-Initiatives-Go-Bus28-and-Reuse-of-a-Right-of-way-in-Union-County.pdf | access-date = March 30, 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131013230233/http://www.apta.com/mc/multimodal/previous/2010/Presentations/New-Jersey-Transit-BRT-Initiatives-Go-Bus28-and-Reuse-of-a-Right-of-way-in-Union-County.pdf | archive-date = October 13, 2013 | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
The [[Bus rapid transit in New Jersey#Central Jersey Route 1 Corridor|Central Jersey Route 1 Corridor BRT]] is a proposed bus rapid transit system which would use Princeton Junction as its hub.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dvrpc.org/LongRangePlan/CentralJerseyForum/brt.htm |title=US 1 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) |date=2012 |publisher=Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission |access-date=March 30, 2012 |archive-date=March 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305002529/http://www.dvrpc.org/LongRangePlan/CentralJerseyForum/brt.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=Project072To |title=Fact Sheet 2008 |date=2008 |website=Central New jersey Route 1 Bus Rapid Transit Project |publisher=New Jersey Transit |access-date=April 1, 2012 |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014165432/http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=Project072To |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=Rte1>{{cite web | title = Central NJ Route 1 BRT | work = NJ Transit Bus Service: The Next Generation | publisher = New Jersey Transit | date = April 26, 2010 | url = http://www.apta.com/mc/multimodal/previous/2010/Presentations/New-Jersey-Transit-BRT-Initiatives-Go-Bus28-and-Reuse-of-a-Right-of-way-in-Union-County.pdf | access-date = March 30, 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131013230233/http://www.apta.com/mc/multimodal/previous/2010/Presentations/New-Jersey-Transit-BRT-Initiatives-Go-Bus28-and-Reuse-of-a-Right-of-way-in-Union-County.pdf | archive-date = October 13, 2013 | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
{{clear left}}
{{clear left}}

== Station layout ==
== Station layout ==
[[File:NJ Transit Princeton shuttle, aka The Dinky (27783912318).jpg|thumb|The platform for the "Dinky"]]
[[File:NJ Transit Princeton shuttle, aka The Dinky (27783912318).jpg|thumb|The platform for the "Dinky"]]
The station has two high-level [[side platform]]s. Most of [[Amtrak]]'s [[Northeast Corridor]] lines bypass the station via the inner tracks, except for select Keystone and Northeast Regional trains.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am%2FAM_Alert_C%2FAlerts_Popup&cid=1251629528528 |title=Amtrak – Service Alert |access-date=November 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106233943/http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am%2FAM_Alert_C%2FAlerts_Popup&cid=1251629528528 |archive-date=November 6, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> The next northbound station is {{stl|NJ Transit|Jersey Avenue}}, but all northbound trains originating in Trenton skip this station and service {{stl|NJ Transit|New Brunswick}}, with other trains originating at Jersey Avenue.
The station has two high-level [[side platform]]s. Most of [[Amtrak]]'s [[Northeast Corridor]] lines bypass the station via the inner tracks, except for select Keystone and Northeast Regional trains and the weekday southbound Palmetto.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am%2FAM_Alert_C%2FAlerts_Popup&cid=1251629528528 |title=Amtrak – Service Alert |access-date=November 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106233943/http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am%2FAM_Alert_C%2FAlerts_Popup&cid=1251629528528 |archive-date=November 6, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> The next northbound station is {{stl|NJ Transit|Jersey Avenue}}, but all northbound trains originating in Trenton skip this station and service {{stl|NJ Transit|New Brunswick}}, with other trains originating at Jersey Avenue.

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3
|style="border-top:solid 1px gray;border-bottom:solid 1px gray" rowspan=8 valign=top width=75|'''P'''<br />Platform level
|style="border-top:solid 1px gray"|'''Shuttle'''
|style="border-top:solid 1px gray"|← {{rcb|system=NJ Transit|line=Princeton|inline=yes}} toward {{stl|NJ Transit|Princeton}} {{small|(Terminus)}}<br />{{0|←}} {{rcb|system=NJ Transit|line=Princeton|inline=yes}} termination track →
|-
|style="border-top:solid 2px black;border-right:solid 2px black;border-left:solid 2px black;border-bottom:solid 1px gray;text-align:center" colspan=2|{{small|[[Side platform]], doors will open on the left or right}}
|-
|style="border-bottom:solid 2px black;border-right:solid 2px black;border-left:solid 2px black;border-top:solid 1px gray;text-align:center" colspan=2|{{small|[[Side platform]], doors will open on the right}}
|-
|Track '''4'''
|← {{rcb|system=NJ Transit|line=Northeast Corridor|inline=yes}} toward {{stl|NJ Transit|Trenton}} {{small|({{stl|NJ Transit|Hamilton}})}}<br />← {{rcb|system=Amtrak|line=Keystone Service|inline=yes}} limited service toward {{amtk|Harrisburg}} {{small|({{amtk|Trenton}})}}<br />← {{rcb|system=Amtrak|line=Northeast Regional|inline=yes}} limited service toward [[Northeast Regional#Virginia service|Northern Virginia]] {{small|(Trenton)}}<br />
|-
|style="border-top:solid 1px gray"|Track '''3'''
|style="border-top:solid 1px gray"|← {{rcb|system=Amtrak|line=Amtrak|inline=yes}} services do not stop here
|-
|style="border-top:solid 1px gray"|Track '''2'''
|style="border-top:solid 1px gray"|{{0|←}} {{rcb|system=Amtrak|line=Amtrak|inline=yes}} services do not stop here →
|-
|style="border-top:solid 1px gray"|Track '''1'''
|style="border-top:solid 1px gray"|{{0|←}} {{rcb|system=Amtrak|line=Keystone Service|inline=yes}} limited service toward [[Pennsylvania Station (New York City)|New York]] {{small|({{amtk|New Brunswick}})}} →<br />{{0|←}} {{rcb|system=Amtrak|line=Northeast Regional|inline=yes}} limited service toward [[Boston South Station|Boston]] {{small|(New Brunswick)}} →<br />{{0|←}} {{rcb|system=NJ Transit|line=Northeast Corridor|inline=yes}} toward [[Pennsylvania Station (New York City)|New York]] {{small|(New Brunswick)}} →<br />{{0|←}} {{rcb|system=Amtrak|line=Crescent|inline=yes}} service toward [[Pennsylvania Station (New York City)|New York]] {{small|(New Brunswick)}} →
|-
|style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;border-right:solid 2px black;border-left:solid 2px black;border-top:solid 2px black;text-align:center" colspan=2|{{small|[[Side platform]], doors will open on the right}}
|-
|style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray"|'''G'''
|style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray" width=100|Street level
|style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray"|Station building, parking, buses
|}


== References ==
== References ==
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{{NJT stations navbox}}
{{NJT stations navbox}}
{{PRR Main Line stations}}
{{PRR Main Line stations}}
{{Pennsylvania Railroad New York Division stations|state=collapsed}}



[[Category:NJ Transit Rail Operations stations]]
[[Category:NJ Transit Rail Operations stations]]
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[[Category:Stations on the Princeton Branch]]
[[Category:Stations on the Princeton Branch]]
[[Category:Former Pennsylvania Railroad stations]]
[[Category:Former Pennsylvania Railroad stations]]
[[Category:1864 establishments in New Jersey]]

Latest revision as of 15:27, 10 November 2024

Not to be confused with Princeton station (NJ Transit).
Princeton Junction
at West Windsor
Princeton Junction station in 2006
General information
Location2 Wallace Circle
Princeton Junction, New Jersey
United States
Coordinates40°19′00″N 74°37′24″W / 40.3167°N 74.6233°W / 40.3167; -74.6233
Owned byNew Jersey Transit
Line(s)Amtrak Northeast Corridor
NJ Transit Princeton Branch
Platforms4 side platforms
Tracks4 (Northeast Corridor), 1 (Princeton Branch)
Connections
Construction
Parking4,161 spaces[1]
AccessibleYes
Other information
Station codeAmtrak: PJC
IATA codeZTJ
Fare zone19 (NJT)[2]
History
Opened1864
ElectrifiedJanuary 16, 1933[3] (partial service)
February 1, 1933[4] (full service)
Key dates
December 27, 1953Station depot burned[5]
Passengers
FY 20176,817 (avg. weekday)[6] (NJT)
FY 202386,015 annually[7] (Amtrak)
Services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station
Trenton
toward Harrisburg
 Keystone Service
Limited service
 New Brunswick
toward New York
Trenton
toward Norfolk, Newport News or Roanoke
 Northeast Regional New Brunswick
toward Boston South or Springfield
     Acela does not stop here
     Cardinal does not stop here
     Carolinian does not stop here
     Crescent does not stop here
     Palmetto does not stop here
     Pennsylvanian does not stop here
     Silver Meteor does not stop here
     Vermonter does not stop here
Preceding station NJ Transit Following station
Hamilton
toward Trenton
 Northeast Corridor Line Jersey Avenue
One-way operation
Princeton
Terminus
 Princeton Branch Terminus
Former services
Preceding station Pennsylvania Railroad Following station
Trenton
toward Chicago
 Main Line Plainsboro
toward New York or Exchange Place
Penns Neck
toward Princeton
 Princeton Branch Terminus
Preceding station Amtrak Following station
Trenton
toward New Orleans
 Crescent New Brunswick
toward New York
Trenton
toward Pittsburgh
 Pennsylvanian Newark Penn
toward New York
Location
Map

Princeton Junction station (signed as Princeton Junction at West Windsor) is a railroad station in Princeton Junction, New Jersey, located in West Windsor Township. It serves NJ Transit (NJT) and Amtrak on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), and NJ Transit on the Princeton Branch.

History

[edit]
Amtrak Metroliner passing through the station in 1978

Princeton Junction's origins can be traced back to the United New Jersey Railroad and Canal Company, the predecessor of the Pennsylvania Railroad in the 19th century. The original station was built in 1864,[8] in preparation for Princeton Branch service to begin in 1865.

Albert Einstein, who lived at 112 Mercer Street in Princeton, used to enjoy sitting at the station and watching the trains go by.[9] More than once, he employed trains to explain the practical effects of his General Theory of Relativity.

The Pennsylvania Railroad depot at Princeton Junction caught fire on December 27, 1953. The fire, believed to be caused by rodents eating electrical wire, trapped the station caretaker that lived in the building. Virginia Worrilow, the caretaker, stated that she heard a crackling noise similar to a fire from several years prior. When she opened the door to check on the fire, Worrilow had flames trap her in the second-story room. Worrilow escaped to the roof of the station and police rescued her. However, her dog perished in the fire.[5]

In 1965, a prototype for the high-speed Metroliner passed through the station at the record speed (at that time) of 164 miles per hour (264 km/h) on a short demonstration run. Very few sections of the Northeast Corridor were capable of handling that speed, and most had to be upgraded before Penn Central's Metroliner service was introduced in 1969. A speed of 170.8 mph (274.9 km/h) was achieved on the same portion of the track on December 20, 1967, when the U.S.-built UAC TurboTrain set the rail speed record in North America. A plaque at the station commemorates the event.[10][11]

The present station house was built in 1987.[12] Most of Amtrak's Princeton Junction service prior to 2005 was Clocker service commuter traffic to New York, Newark, or Philadelphia. On October 28, 2005, the Clockers were replaced by NJT trains that run only as far south as Trenton.[citation needed]

The Northbound Crescent stopped here from November 24, 2022 to July 4, 2023.[13][14]

On October 13, 2023, Amtrak announced Princeton Junction station, along with New Brunswick station, would receive upgraded service due to increased demand.[15]

Transit village

[edit]

Princeton Junction has been designated the core of the West Windsor transit village, a smart growth initiative to promote transit-oriented development which can include government incentives to encourage compact, higher density, mixed-use development within walking distance of the station.[16] Development adjacent to the station permits higher densities and will include retail end entertainment elements.[17]

Service

[edit]
Princeton Branch "Dinky" in 1971

As of 2017, Princeton Junction was the 6th-busiest station in the NJ Transit rail system, with an average of 6,817 weekday boardings.[6] In addition to the Northeast Corridor Line, NJT operates a 2.7-mile (4.3 km) spur line, the Princeton Branch, to Princeton station located at the Princeton University campus in Princeton. The shuttle is colloquially known as the "Dinky",[18] and has also been known as the "PJ&B" (for "Princeton Junction and Back").[19] Two train cars, or sometimes just one, are used. A single switch connects the branch to the Northeast Corridor tracks north of the station.

Service on the Princeton Branch was suspended from October 14, 2018 through May 11, 2019, replaced by shuttle buses, as part of NJT's systemwide service reductions during the installation and testing of positive train control.[20][21]

Amtrak provides two early-morning trains to Washington, D.C., and two evening returns, as well as one morning train to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and one evening return, all of which call at Philadelphia. Many more Amtrak trains stop at the nearby Trenton Transit Center. Until 2007, all Amtrak Pennsylvanian trains stopped at Princeton Junction. The southbound Amtrak Palmetto began stopping in Princeton Junction on weekdays in October 2015.

The Central Jersey Route 1 Corridor BRT is a proposed bus rapid transit system which would use Princeton Junction as its hub.[22][23][24]

Station layout

[edit]
The platform for the "Dinky"

The station has two high-level side platforms. Most of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor lines bypass the station via the inner tracks, except for select Keystone and Northeast Regional trains and the weekday southbound Palmetto.[25] The next northbound station is Jersey Avenue, but all northbound trains originating in Trenton skip this station and service New Brunswick, with other trains originating at Jersey Avenue.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Princeton Junction". New Jersey Transit. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  2. ^ "Northeast Corridor Timetables" (PDF). New Jersey Transit Rail Operations. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
  3. ^ "P.R.R. Opens Electric Service Between N.Y. and Phila. Today". The Courier-Post. Camden, New Jersey. January 16, 1933. p. 3. Retrieved January 31, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ "Electric Service Line Wednesday". The Sunday Times. New Brunswick, New Jersey. January 29, 1933. pp. 1–2. Retrieved January 31, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ a b "P.R.R. Station Burns to Ground". The Daily Home News. December 28, 1953. p. 4. Retrieved July 3, 2019 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ^ a b Kiefer, Eric (February 21, 2018). "Here Are New Jersey Transit's Most, Least-Used Train Stations". Patch.com. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  7. ^ "Amtrak Fact Sheet, Fiscal Year 2023: State of New Jersey" (PDF). Amtrak. March 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  8. ^ Messer, David W.; Roberts, Charles S. (2002). Triumph V: Philadelphia to New York 1830–2002 (PDF). p. 89. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 5, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  9. ^ Frassinelli, Mike (July 17, 2010). "Proposal to replace Princeton's longtime 'Dinky' train with bus line saddens sentimental locals". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  10. ^ "Dedication of plaque commemorating high speed rail in America". National Capital Land Transportation Committee.
  11. ^ "High speed rail commemorative plaque in Princeton Junction station". www.ns3010 .rrpicturearchives.net.
  12. ^ "Princeton Junction, NJ". Great American Stations. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  13. ^ "AMTRAK'S CRESCENT" (PDF). Rail Passenger's Association. July 4, 2023.
  14. ^ "AMTRAK'S CRESCENT" (PDF). Rail Passenger's Association. December 7, 2022.
  15. ^ "Amtrak Adds More Service for Customers at New Brunswick and Princeton Junction" (Press release). Amtrak. October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  16. ^ "West Windsor gains Transit Village designation Township becomes 24th Transit Village in New Jersey" (Press release). NJDOT. January 5, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  17. ^ Martin, Antoinette (October 9, 2011). "An Unofficial Transit Village". The New York Times. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  18. ^ "Princeton University: Train Travel". Princeton University. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  19. ^ Rosenbaum, Joel; Gallo, Tom (1997). NJ Transit Rail Operations. Railpace Newsmagazine. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  20. ^ McGeehan, Patrick (September 20, 2018). "For New Jersey Rail Commuters, a Bad Situation Is About to Get Worse". The New York Times. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  21. ^ "Governor Murphy, NJ Transit Announce ACRL and Princeton Dinky to Resume May 12th" (Press release). New Jersey Transit. April 17, 2019. Archived from the original on November 2, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  22. ^ "US 1 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)". Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. 2012. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  23. ^ "Fact Sheet 2008". Central New jersey Route 1 Bus Rapid Transit Project. New Jersey Transit. 2008. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  24. ^ "Central NJ Route 1 BRT" (PDF). NJ Transit Bus Service: The Next Generation. New Jersey Transit. April 26, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 13, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  25. ^ "Amtrak – Service Alert". Archived from the original on November 6, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
[edit]
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