This past weekend I found myself dodging the raindrops and capturing the blocks of the Waterbury Branch. With the signalization project coming to a close not too far in the future, these block limit signs will likely be disappearing before you know it. The signals aren’t online yet, but many have been installed and are visible along the right-of-way covered in black plastic. So, without further ado, here are the blocks of the Waterbury branch.

CLIP

Upon entering the Waterbury Branch from the New Haven Line, the first block you’ll encounter is CLIP. The name is a throwback to when Connecticut Light and Power owned the nearby power plant in Devon. The generating station began operations in 1924 with three 25MW units. NRG bought the natural gas powered plant in 1999, and these days it produces 133MW. NRG intends to sell the plant, and it will likely change hands by the end of the year.

As part of other upgrades along the branch, you’ll also see the installation of new grade crossing protection that has not yet been completed. The lights are likewise covered by black plastic, and the crossing gates are not in yet.

HAT

Not far from the Derby/Shelton Station, HAT gets its name from the Housatonic Railroad, which joins the branch at the location.

Sadly, the 1903 station at Derby has been thoroughly tagged. Owned by the city, the vandalism has been reported and the building is slated for cleanup soon.

It seems the HAT block limit sign may have also been tagged to reveal an alternate word… oh dear.

BEAK

If I told you that BEAK was named for a famous local bird, it would sure be an interesting story, but it would also be a lie. BEAK is simply a shortened version of Beacon Falls, where you’ll find the block limit sign at the south end of the platform.

EAGLE and WATER

Speaking of birds, the next block encountered along the branch is EAGLE. Once located closer to Eagle Street, you’ll now find it at the south end of the parking lot for Waterbury station.

Lastly, WATER is obviously named for Waterbury. You’ll find the block limit sign just at the north end of the platform. Although the tracks continue further, Metro-North trains are not permitted to cross the sketchy bridge that carries the rails over Freight Street. Waterbury is quite the intriguing location, with a slew of abandoned tracks, reclaimed by nature over the years. The 1909 McKim, Mead, and White station, owned by the local Republican American newspaper, is always a fantastic sight, and the associated 240-foot clock tower is the city’s most notable landmark.

The photographs below were taken on eight separate days, ranging from early March to mid-October.

The New Canaan Branch:

The New Canaan branch is the shortest of the three (8.2 miles), and the closest to Grand Central. It is also the only branch that is currently electrified. The branch first came into being when chartered as the New Canaan Railroad in 1866. By 1890 it had become a part of the The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad.

The awesome: New Canaan station may be the nicest station of all three branches (one could argue that Waterbury is more iconic, however it is no longer in use by the railroad, whereas New Canaan is).
Most underwhelming: Everything other than New Canaan.

 
 
 
 
 

The Danbury Branch:

Of the three New Haven Line branches, the Danbury Branch has the most stations, with a total of seven. Though the line continues further north, Metro-North service terminates at Danbury. The original Danbury station still exists, though it is not used by Metro-North. Service first began here in 1852, and the rail line was known as the Danbury and Norwalk Railroad. In the late 1800’s the line was leased to the Housatonic Railroad, and later the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. By 1925 the track was electrified, but due to a poor economic situation, it was de-electrified in 1961.

The awesome: Danbury’s original station, yard, and turntable, now occupied the Danbury Railway Museum. Bethel’s old station is now a bike shop (I never got a photo of it). Cannondale’s old station is also lovely.
Most underwhelming: Without a doubt, Merritt 7. It is the only New Haven Line station without the typical Metro-North station sign, and is probably the most bare-bones station listed here.

 

 
 
 
 
 

The Waterbury Branch:

The Waterbury branch is Metro-North’s easternmost branch, and it diverges from the main line just east of Stratford. Although service terminates in Waterbury, the tracks do continue further north, and are used by the Railroad Museum of New England. Waterbury is located 87.5 miles from Grand Central – making it the furthest from the city in rail miles. The branch was originally chartered in 1845 as the Naugatuck Railroad (named after the river the tracks run alongside), and construction was completed by 1849. It was merged with the The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad in 1906. Today, the branch has a reputation of serving both commuters and many sketchy people.

The awesome: Waterbury’s historical station (no longer used by the railroad) is one of, if not the most iconic structures in the city. The Naugatuck Historical Society is housed in their old station, which is also nice. You can get cool photos of the railroad bridge in Ansonia.
Most underwhelming: Beacon Falls and Ansonia. Oh, and don’t leave your car or any other valuables at Waterbury.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Do you have a favorite?

If I had to pick the branch that I liked the best, I’d have a difficult time of it. New Canaan is certainly my favorite station, but the rest of the branch is relatively boring. The Danbury branch has the adorably-cute Cannondale, and the old station which is now a museum. The sketchy people of the Waterbury branch make me weary of choosing it as my favorite, despite the fact that I like that little railroad bridge over the Naugatuck river. It is, however, undeniable that Waterbury has the most recognizable old station – though it is debatable whether people actually realize it was once a train station. We can settle this right now, with a poll. Vote for your favorite branch here:
[poll id=”2″]

Located 78.5 miles from Grand Central, Beacon Falls is one of those aforementioned small Waterbury Branch stations. Unlike most other Metro-North stations, if you ride from Beacon Falls and buy your ticket on-board, you are not charged the additional fee. Mostly because a few of the Waterbury Branch stations, including Beacon Falls, don’t have Ticket Vending Machines. Besides a bus-style shelter and the typical train trash and recycling bin, the station really doesn’t have much. The platform still holds the remnants of a public phone, but the actual phone is long gone. Below are the photos from my brief trip to Beacon Falls… hopefully we’ll visit somewhere else, perhaps a little bit more interesting, next week.