| Wasco, CA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Address | 700 G St. Wasco, CA 93280 |
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| Connections | Kern Regional Transit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Structure | at-grade | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Platforms | 1 side platform | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tracks | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parking | free | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Baggage check | no | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opened | September 21, 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accessible | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Code | WAC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Traffic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passengers (2010) | 18,044[1] 4.4% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Location within California
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Wasco is an Amtrak station on the San Joaquin line located in Wasco, California. Free parking is available at the station, which has one platform on the west side of a single track. Of the 73 California stations served by Amtrak, this was the 51st-busiest in 2010, boarding or detraining an average of approximately 50 passengers daily.[2]
Construction of the San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley Railroad (SF&SJ) had reached the location, which would become Wasco. The SF&SJ constructed a small, open-air, two story station. It cost $4,500 and followed their standard No. 2 design. There was also a large window, facing the tracks, for the station master to observe activity down the tracks. The town, named Dewey, would develop around the station. It would later be renamed Wasco.[3]
In 1899, the SF&SJ would be purchased by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe. They would continue to use the station for passenger and freight service. In 1907, the station was extended, to serve a growing demand for freight. In the 1950's, the waiting room was enclosed. The second floor was also reorganized as sleeping quarters.[3]
The station closed in 1971, when Amtrak was formed. None of the routes in the San Joaquin Valley would continue to run. In 1974, the San Joaquin route would begin operating through the valley. Initially, the train would not stop in Wasco. The next year, it would become a flag stop. Despite having train service, in 1978, the train station was demolished. It was replaced with a couple of benches and a parking lot. Part of the train station would be used in the restoration of the Shafter Santa Fe Station.[3]
At some point, Wasco became a regular stop for the San Joaquin route. A shelter was built. In 2006, an entirely new station was constructed. It would be an open-air station, built in the Spanish Revival style. It would also house the Wasco Chamber of Commerce.[3]
The station offers ticket sales through Amtrak's Quik-Trak self-serve ticketing kiosk, and free parking. The waiting room is open air. There is one track, which is not sheltered.[4]
The station is served by Kern Regional Transit for regular service. The routes are Lost Hills Intercity Route, and North Kern Express.[5] It is also served by Wasco's dial-a-ride service, which operates throughout the city with on-demand service.[6]