{{Short description|Transit center in Fullerton, California, U.S.}} {{Use American English|date=April 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox station | style = Amtrak | name = Fullerton, CA | image = Fullerton Station.jpg | image_caption = Fullerton station trackside | other_name = Fullerton Transportation Center<ref name="FUL">{{cite web|url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=am/am2Station/Station_Page&code=FUL|title=Fullerton, CA (FUL)|website=amtrak.com|publisher=Amtrak|access-date=10 Jan 2014}}</ref><ref name=FullertonCityTC>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.fullerton.ca.us/visitors/downtown_fullerton/transportation_center.asp|title=City of Fullerton: Transportation Center|publisher=City of Fullerton|access-date=11 Jan 2014|archive-date=20 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220233705/http://www.ci.fullerton.ca.us/visitors/downtown_fullerton/transportation_center.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> | address = 120 East Santa Fe Avenue | borough = Fullerton, California | country = United States | coordinates = {{coord|33.868612|-117.9223|region:US_type:railwaystation|display=title,inline|format=dms}} | owned = BNSF Railway and City of Fullerton | line = {{Unbulleted list | BNSF San Bernardino Subdivision (main lines) | SCRRA Orange Subdivision (bay platform)<ref>{{CA rail schematics|page=25}}</ref><!-- line is distinct from "services", which are detailed below --> }} | platform = 2 side platforms, 1 bay platform | tracks = 4 | bus_stands = 6 | connections = {{Unbulleted list | {{bus icon}} Amtrak Thruway: 1, 39 | {{bus icon}} OC Bus: {{OC Bus route|26}}, {{OC Bus route|43}}, {{OC Bus route|47}}, {{OC Bus route|123}}, {{OC Bus route|143}}, {{OC Bus route|543}} }} | parking = 1,321 spaces, 40 accessible spaces<ref name="Station info">{{Cite web |title=Fullerton Train Station |url=https://metrolinktrains.com/rider-info/general-info/stations/fullerton |access-date=June 26, 2024 |website=Metrolink |language=en}}</ref> | bicycle = Racks and lockers<ref name="Station info" /> | accessible = Yes | original = Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway | status = Staffed, station building with waiting room | code = {{Amtrak code|FUL}} | opened = 1888 (AT&SF) | rebuilt = 1930, 1993 | mpassengers = {{rail pass box|system=Amtrak|passengers={{Amtrak ridership|Fullerton}}{{Amtrak ridership|citationCA}}|pass_year={{Amtrak ridership|date}}}} | route_map = {{Fullerton Transportation Center|inline=y}} | map_state = collapsed | map_name = Track layout | services = {{Adjacent stations |system1=Amtrak |line1=Pacific Surfliner|left1=Los Angeles|right1=Anaheim |line2=Southwest Chief|left2=Los Angeles|right2=Riverside |system3=Metrolink (California) |line3=91|left3=Buena Park|right3=Corona–West |line4=Orange County|left4=Buena Park|right4=Anaheim }} | other_services_header = Former services | other_services_collapsible = yes | other_services = {{Adjacent stations |system2=Amtrak |line2=Desert Wind|left2=Los Angeles|right2=San Bernardino|note-mid2=1986-1997 |system3=Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway |line3=main|left3=Rivera|right3=Placentia|note-mid3=Via Fullerton, Riverside |line4=Surf Line|left4=Los Angeles|right4=Anaheim |system5=Union Pacific Railroad |line5=East Los Angeles-Anaheim|left5=La Habra|right5=Anaheim |system6=Pacific Electric |line6=Fullerton|left6=Harvard Avenue }} | nrhp = {{Infobox NRHP | embed = yes | name = Santa Fe Railway Passenger and Freight Depot (Fullerton, California) | built = 1930 | architect = E. J. Herbert | architecture = Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival | added = February 5, 1992 | area = {{convert|1|acre|1}} | refnum = 91002031<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref> }}{{Infobox NRHP | embed = yes | name = Fullerton Union Pacific Depot | built = 1923 | architect = John and Donald Parkinson | builder = Union Pacific Railroad | architecture = Mission Revival style/Spanish Colonial Revival | added = October 12, 1983 | area = {{convert|0.8|acre|1}} | refnum = 83003551<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref> }} | mapframe = yes }}
The '''Fullerton Transportation Center''' is a transit center located in Fullerton, California, United States. It is served by Amtrak's ''Pacific Surfliner'' and ''Southwest Chief'' trains, as well as Metrolink's 91/Perris Valley Line and Orange County Line trains. It is also a major bus depot for the OC Bus system, and is one of the major transportation hubs of Orange County.<ref name=FullertonCityTC />
thumb|Passengers getting on and off of Metrolink Train in Fullerton Station
== History == The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway opened its first Fullerton station in 1888.<ref name=Richardson>{{cite book |last1=Richardson |first1=Rob |title=Railroads and Depots of Orange County |date=2010 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-0-7385-8011-1 |pages=14, 64}}</ref>
The station has three historic depots on site: one built in 1923 by the Union Pacific Railroad,<ref name=FullertonHeritageUnionPacific>{{cite web|url=http://www.fullertonheritage.org/Views_Tours/National_Register/updepot.htm|title=Union Pacific Depot|website=www.fullertonheritage.org|publisher=Fullerton Heritage|access-date=11 Jan 2014|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924015937/http://www.fullertonheritage.org/Views_Tours/National_Register/updepot.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> another built in 1930 by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway,<ref name=Richardson /><ref name=FullertonHeritageSantaFe>{{cite web|url=http://www.fullertonheritage.org/Views_Tours/National_Register/santafe.htm|title=Santa Fe Depot|website=www.fullertonheritage.org|publisher=Fullerton Heritage|access-date=11 Jan 2014|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924015937/http://www.fullertonheritage.org/Views_Tours/National_Register/santafe.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the third used by the Pacific Electric starting in 1918.<ref name=COFPED>{{cite web| url=https://www.cityoffullerton.com/gov/departments/dev_serv/planning_/historic_fullerton/1918_1925_non_residential/pacific_electric_depot.asp| title=Pacific Electric Depot, 1918 – Il Ghiotto Restaurant| website=City of Fullerton| access-date=June 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031140034/https://www.cityoffullerton.com/gov/departments/dev_serv/planning_/historic_fullerton/1918_1925_non_residential/pacific_electric_depot.asp |archive-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref><ref name=Observer2023>{{cite news |title=Fullerton Heritage Present: The Pacific Electric Railway Depot |url=https://fullertonobserver.com/2023/10/09/fullerton-heritage-present-the-pacific-electric-railway-depot/ |access-date=10 November 2023 |agency=Fullerton Observer |date=October 9, 2023}}</ref> The two mainline depots are on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name=FullertonHeritageUnionPacific /><ref name=FullertonHeritageSantaFe />
The 1930 Santa Fe depot serves as an Amtrak ticket office and passenger waiting area and has a cafe. It features Spanish Colonial Revival style architecture, as evidenced by the stuccoed walls, red tile roof, and decorative wrought ironwork.<ref name="GAS FUL">{{cite web|title=Great American Stations: Fullerton, CA (FUL)|website=greatamericanctations.com|publisher=Amtrak|url=http://www.greatamericanstations.com/Stations/FUL|access-date=11 Jan 2014}}</ref>
The Union Pacific Railroad was the third railway to lay tracks through Fullerton and to build a depot.<ref name="trainweb">{{cite web|url=http://www.trainweb.com/fullerton/history.html|title=Fullerton History|website=trainweb.org|publisher=TrainWeb LLC|access-date=11 Jan 2014}}</ref> The 1923 Mission Revival style building was designed by John and Donald Parkinson.<ref>[http://utahrails.net/up/up-in-ut-depots.php Utahrails.net: Union Pacific's Parkinson Depots]</ref> Fullerton's redevelopment agency moved the station next to the Santa Fe depot in 1980 to preserve it.<ref name=FullertonHeritageUnionPacific /> Now it is occupied by an Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant.<ref name="trainweb" />
Pacific Electric constructed an interurban railway to Fullerton in 1917, terminating just north of the Santa Fe station and provided a transfer point to their system.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yanity |first1=Brian |title=Fullerton, Rail Town: The Pacific Electric Railway |url=https://fullertonobserver.com/2019/05/16/fullerton-rail-town-the-pacific-electric-railway/ |access-date=7 February 2021 |agency=Fullerton Observer |date=16 May 2019}}</ref> The Mission Revival style depot was built the following year.<ref name=COFPED /> Their passenger service lasted until January 1938.<ref name=Observer2023 /> Greyhound Bus service called at the depot between 1936 and 1976.<ref name=Observer2023 />
In September 1983, the Orange County Transit District (now the Orange County Transportation Authority) opened the Fullerton Transportation Center bus depot which is located across the street from the station, and is served by OCTA routes 26, 43, 47, 123, 143, and 543.
This station became one of the original nine stations on the Metrolink Orange County Line when it opened on March{{nbsp}}28, 1994 and also one of the original 7 stations when the 91 Line (now the 91/Perris Valley Line) opened on May{{nbsp}}6, 2002.
In the late 1990s, the Fullerton Railway Plaza Association (FRPA) began fundraising and lobbying for the creation of an interactive railroad attraction or museum at the site,<ref>{{cite web|title=Southern California Railway Plaza Association|url=http://www.scrpa.net/|website=www.scrpa.net|publisher=Southern California Railway Plaza Association, Inc.|access-date=11 Jan 2014}}</ref> while continuing preservation efforts. Railroad Days was not held in 2009, and FRPA looked elsewhere, choosing to hold its 2010 event in neighboring Brea.<ref>{{cite web|title="Railroad Days" event |url=http://www.scrpa.net/scrrdays.htm |website=www.scrpa.net |publisher=Southern California Railway Plaza Association, Inc. |access-date=11 Jan 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926141305/http://www.scrpa.net/scrrdays.htm |archive-date=September 26, 2013 }}</ref> The organization subsequently changed its name to the Southern California Railway Plaza Association (SCRPA).{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}} However, Railroad Days for 2020 was cancelled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
{{As of|2024}}, Amtrak plans to reconstruct the platforms for accessibility by FY 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/statefactsheets/CALIFORNIA23.pdf |title=Amtrak Fact Sheet Fiscal Year 2023 State of California |page=7 |publisher=Amtrak |date=March 2024}}</ref>
== Service == The station is served by the Metrolink 91/Perris Valley Line and Orange County Line commuter rail services, plus Amtrak intercity ''Pacific Surfliner'' and long-distance ''Southwest Chief'' services. However, eastbound and westbound ''Southwest Chief'' trains stop only to board and discharge passengers, respectively.
The BNSF Railway San Bernardino Subdivision has three tracks through the station. Westbound passenger trains use the north track and its side platform; eastbound trains use the south track and side platform. The center track is for freight use only. An additional siding track with a side platform south of the mainline tracks is used for short turn trains that run between Fullerton and Laguna Niguel or Oceanside.<ref name=schematics>{{CA rail schematics|page=25}}</ref>{{Infobox museum | name = Fullerton Train Museum | native_name = | native_name_lang = | image = | image_size = | caption = | alt = | map_type = | map_caption = | established = 2001 | dissolved = | location = Fullerton, California | coordinates = {{coord|33.869069137506536|-117.92173663640419|type:landmark_region:US-CA}} | type = Railroad museum | collection_size = | visitors = | director = | president = | curator = | public_transit = | website = https://fullertontrainmuseum.org/ | network = | map_alt = | latitude = | longitude = }}
== Fullerton Train Museum == The Fullerton Train Museum is a railroad museum in Fullerton, California. The museum is operated by a non-profit organization and allows free entry.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fullerton Train Museum |url=https://metrolinktrains.com/explore/orange-county/fullerton-train-museum/ |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=Metrolink}}</ref> The museum also provides free guided tours biweekly on the first and third Saturdays through seven restored railroad cars, dated from 1929 to 1967.<ref>{{cite news |date=2023-01-09 |title=Fullerton Train Museum tour |url=https://fullertonobserver.com/2023/01/09/fullerton-train-museum-tour/ |access-date=2025-09-14 |work=Fullerton Observer}}</ref> It also runs events to promote railroad safety for children and adults.<ref>{{cite news |date=2022-09-22 |title=The Daily Pilot Today: Rail Safety Week events |url=https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/newsletter/2022-09-22/daily-pilot-newsletter-rail-safety-week-lifeguard-tryouts-the-covid-5 |access-date=2025-09-14 |work=Los Angeles Times (Daily Pilot)}}</ref> Since its inception, The Fullerton Train Museum has annually hosted Railroad Days.<ref>{{cite news |date=1999-04-29 |title=Tunnel Visions |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-apr-29-ca-32070-story.html |access-date=2025-09-14 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> The museum also holds spring, Halloween, and Christmas events.<ref>{{cite news |date=2022-12-26 |title=Fullerton Train Museum for the holidays |url=https://fullertonobserver.com/2022/12/26/fullerton-train-museum/ |access-date=2025-09-14 |work=Fullerton Observer}}</ref>
The museum's permanent collection consists of seven cars and one locomotive, most conserved to "in-service" condition:
* Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 1604 ''Palm Leaf'' — a 10 roomette-6 double bedroom (10-6) lightweight sleeper built by American Car & Foundry in 1951 for the ''Super Chief''. Later Amtrak 2753; private car registry PPCX 800237 before acquisition by SCRPA. The ''Palm Leaf'' is believed to be the last surviving car of Santa Fe's Palm-series sleepers.<ref>{{cite web |title=PPCX 800237 (ex-AMTK 2753; nee ATSF 1604 "Palm Leaf") |url=https://www.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=238201 |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=RRPictureArchives.NET}}</ref> * Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 999110 — Ce-1 class cupola caboose (waycar) built by American Car & Foundry in 1929.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pictures of ATSF 999110 |url=https://www.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=205095 |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=RRPictureArchives.NET}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ATSF 999110 — RailPictures |url=https://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=875400 |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=RailPictures.Net}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ATSF Cabooses by Number Range (includes 999110 note "On display at Fullerton station") |url=https://www.rrpicturearchives.net/rsList.aspx?cid=1&id=ATSF&rid=999100 |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=RRPictureArchives.NET}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2006-04-25 |title=Santa Fe Captive Cabooses (Ce-1 list, includes 999110) |url=https://atsf.railfan.net/waycars/ |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=atsf.railfan.net}}</ref> * Southern Pacific 4049 — C-40-4 class bay-window caboose built by Pacific Car & Foundry in 1961.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pictures of SP 4049 |url=https://www.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=179354 |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=RRPictureArchives.NET}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Strack |first=Don |title=Southern Pacific Cabooses (class overview) |url=https://utahrails.net/caboose/cabooses-sp.php |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=UtahRails.net}}</ref> * Union Pacific 3752 (ex-UP 25052) — CA-3 class tall-cupola caboose built by Mount Vernon Car Manufacturing Company in 1942; moved to Fullerton in November 2015 for display with the existing cabooses.<ref>{{cite web |last=Strack |first=Don |date=2024-09-25 |title=Union Pacific Cabooses, Steel Class CA-3 Roster (includes UP 25052 disposition to Fullerton) |url=https://utahrails.net/caboose/caboose-steel-roster-ca-3.php |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=UtahRails.net}}</ref> * Union Pacific 5001 ''Starlight Cafe'' — 85-ft lunch-counter diner-lounge rebuilt by Union Pacific from its 5000-series diner-lounge cars; owned by the Pacific Railroad Society (PRS) and on long-term loan to SCRPA at Fullerton.<ref>{{cite web |last=Strack |first=Don |title=UP Steel Passenger Car Roster, Part 6 (5000-series) |url=https://utahrails.net/pass/pass-numbered-6.php |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=UtahRails.net}}</ref> * Union Pacific 6101 ''Cajon Pass'' — 85-ft dormitory-lounge built by ACF in 1949; owned by PRS and on long-term loan to SCRPA at Fullerton.<ref>{{cite web |last=Strack |first=Don |title=UP Steel Passenger Car Roster, Part 7 (6000-series) |url=https://utahrails.net/pass/pass-numbered-7.php |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=UtahRails.net}}</ref> * Union Pacific 5492 — St. Louis Car "Chair" coach; sold to Amtrak in 1985(4. Amtrak 4552), then used in Glendale, California as part of the Carney's hot dog restaurant chain. Moved to the Fullerton Train Museum in October, 2024, it is being converted into a display and activity area.<ref name="UtahRails-5492">{{cite web |last=Strack |first=Don |date=November 3, 2024 |title=Union Pacific Numbered Passenger Cars, Part 6 |url=https://utahrails.net/pass/pass-numbered-6.php |access-date=September 14, 2025 |website=UtahRails.net}}</ref> * Metrolink 851 — EMD F59PH; The first rostered locomotive built for Metrolink in 1992. Used for commuter train service until 2024. Moved to the Fullerton Train Museum in January 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|title=California museum receives first Metrolink locomotive|url=https://www.trains.com/trn/railroads/heritage-rail/railroad-museums/museum-receives-first-metrolink-locomotive/|website=Trains|date=2026-01-31|access-date=2026-02-01|language=en-US}}</ref>
== See also ==
* List of railway museums in the United States
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category-inline|Fullerton Transportation Center}} {{Amtrak web|FUL|Fullerton, CA}} *{{Metrolink web|Fullerton|Fullerton}} *[http://www.ci.fullerton.ca.us/visitors/downtown_fullerton/transportation_center.asp City of Fullerton: official Fullerton Transportation Center website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515154541/http://www.ci.fullerton.ca.us/visitors/downtown_fullerton/transportation_center.asp |date=2010-05-15 }}
{{Fullerton, California}} {{Metrolink Orange County Line navbox}} {{Metrolink 91/Perris Valley Line navbox}} {{Metrolink (California)}} {{Amtrak California stations}} {{ATSF Surf Line stations}} {{National Register of Historic Places in California}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Fullerton, California Category:Amtrak stations in Orange County, California Category:Bus stations in Orange County, California Category:Metrolink stations in Orange County, California Category:Transportation in Fullerton, California Category:Former Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway stations Category:Former Union Pacific Railroad stations Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1888 Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1923 Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1930 Category:National Register of Historic Places in Orange County, California Category:Railway stations on the National Register of Historic Places in California Category:1930s architecture in the United States Category:John and Donald Parkinson buildings Category:Mission Revival architecture in California Category:Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in California Category:1923 establishments in California Category:Proposed California High-Speed Rail stations Category:Pacific Electric stations Category:Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach stations in California Category:1888 establishments in California