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Delray Beach station

Coordinates: 26°27′15″N 80°05′27″W / 26.454215°N 80.090934°W / 26.454215; -80.090934
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Delray Beach, FL
Delray Beach station in 2013
General information
Location345 South Congress Avenue
Delray Beach, Florida
United States
Coordinates26°27′15″N 80°05′27″W / 26.454215°N 80.090934°W / 26.454215; -80.090934
Owned byPalm Beach County
Line(s)South Florida Rail Corridor
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks2
ConnectionsBus transport Palm Tran: 2, 70, 81, 88
Construction
ParkingYes
AccessibleYes
Other information
Station codeAmtrak: DLB
Fare zone2 (Tri-Rail)
History
OpenedJanuary 8, 1927
RebuiltAugust 26, 1991; 2003–2005
Passengers
FY 202413,202[1] (Amtrak)
Services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station
Deerfield Beach
toward Miami
 Floridian West Palm Beach
toward Chicago
Silver Meteor West Palm Beach
toward New York
Preceding station Tri-Rail Following station
Boca Raton
toward Miami Airport
 Miami Airport – Mangonia Park Boynton Beach
toward Mangonia Park
Former services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station
Deerfield Beach
toward Miami
 Silver Star
1971–1984; 1991–2024
 West Palm Beach
toward New York
Palmetto
2002–2004
Silver Palm
1996–2002
Sunset Limited
1993–1996
 West Palm Beach
toward Los Angeles
Silver Palm
1982–1985
 West Palm Beach
toward Tampa
Floridian
1971–1979
 West Palm Beach
toward Chicago
Preceding station Seaboard Air Line Railroad Following station
Deerfield Beach
toward Miami
 Main Line Boynton Beach
toward Richmond
Future services
Preceding station Tri-Rail Following station
Boca Raton
toward Downtown Miami
 Red Line
(proposed)
 Boynton Beach
toward Mangonia Park
Seaboard Air Line Railway Station
LocationDepot Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida
Coordinates26°27′47″N 80°05′27″W / 26.463192°N 80.090914°W / 26.463192; -80.090914
Built1927
ArchitectGustav Maass
Architectural styleMediterranean Revival
NRHP reference No.86002172[2]
Added to NRHPSeptember 4, 1986
Location
Map
Location of the current station

Delray Beach station is a train station located off South Congress Avenue (SR 807) in Delray Beach, Florida. It is served by Tri-Rail commuter rail service plus two daily Amtrak intercity trains – the Floridian and Silver Meteor. The station has two side platforms, with parking and a bus loop to the west of the southbound platform. The original Seaboard Air Line Railroad station opened in 1927 and was taken over by Amtrak in 1971. Tri-Rail service began in 1989, but moved to a new station to the south in 1991. Amtrak relocated to the newer station in 1995. It was rebuilt with a second platform in 2003–2005. The former station building was damaged by arson in 2020; it was rebuilt from 2021 to 2024 for use as municipal offices.

History

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Original station

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During the 1920s Florida land boom, the Seaboard Air Line Railroad (SAL) extended into southern Florida with the construction of the East Coast Extension (Florida Western and Northern Railroad and Seaboard–All Florida Railway). Construction of the latter line through Delray (soon merged as Delray Beach) began in early 1926. Plans for the Delray station were completed in August 1926.[3] Freight service began in November 1926; passenger service began on January 8, 1927, with the Orange Blossom Special.[3][4] Delray station was designed by Gustav Maass of the West Palm Beach architectural firm of Harvey & Clarke. Built in the Mediterranean Revival style, it was nearly identical to nearby stations at Deerfield Beach and Boynton Beach.[3]

The SAL and rival Atlantic Coast Line Railroad merged into the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad in 1967. By 1970, Delray Beach was served by 4–5 daily round trips: the New York–Miami Silver Meteor and Silver Star plus the seasonal Florida Special; and the Chicago–Miami South Wind and City of Miami (on alternating days).[5] Amtrak took over intercity passenger service on May 1971, retaining all except the City of Miami.[6] The South Wind was changed to daily operation; it became the Floridian later in 1971.[7]: 87  The Silver Meteor ceased stopping at Delray Beach effective December 15, 1972.[7]: 73  Seasonal winter service – called the Florida Special, Vacationer, and finally Miamian – that operated during Amtrak's first four years did not stop at Delray Beach.[8]

The access road to the station from West Atlantic Avenue (SR 806) was cut off in the 1970s by the construction of the interchange with Interstate 95, leaving only a less-convenient driveway from Mount Ida Road to the north.[9] The Floridian was discontinued on October 9, 1979.[7]: 87  The Tampa–Miami Silver Palm operated from November 21, 1982, to April 30, 1985, with Delray Beach as an intermediate stop.[7]: 84  The Silver Meteor resumed stopping at Delray Beach on April 29, 1984, while the Silver Star ceased stopping.[7]: 73, 77  The station was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 4, 1986, as Seaboard Airline Railroad Station.[3] In early 1988, an architect purchased the station building for $196,000 and began restoration of the structure.[10]

Tri-Rail commuter service began on January 9, 1989, with the existing Amtrak station in Delray Beach as one of the intermediate stops. It was not intended to be the permanent location for the city's Tri-Rail stop.[11][12] The city considered two proposals that year: constructing a $1.5 million access road from West Atlantic Avenue, or moving the station 0.6 miles (1.0 km) north to North Ida Road.[13] Tri-Rail continued to use the property without a formal lease agreement. In December 1990, the private owners began charging for parking because they had not received any payment from Tri-Rail. Tri-Rail obtained a temporary injunction to stop the charging; the agency intended to build a temporary parking lot on other property nearby.[14] The Silver Star resumed stopping at Delray Beach on April 6, 1991.[7]: 77 

Relocation

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Tri-Rail ceased stopping at Delray Beach on May 2, 1991, when the injunction expired; Amtrak trains continued to stop. At the time, the station had about 200 daily Tri-Rail boardings. The situation was complicated by a bank foreclosing on the property.[15][16] Tri-Rail considered three sites for a replacement station; in mid-May, the county chose a site off South Congress Avenue adjacent to county administrative offices.[17][18] The new station opened on August 26, 1991.[19][20] The foreclosure auction for the old station took place the same day.[21] The mortgage holder, American National Bank, purchased the property for $120,000. The sale was subject to Amtrak's right to continue to occupy the station until its contract with track owner CSX Transportation expired in 1996.[22][23]

In 1992, the bank offered to sell the property to the Delray Beach Historic Society for $200,000 – half the asking price – for use as a railroad museum. However, the society did not have the funds to buy and renovate the station.[24] Amtrak proposed in October 1993 to close the station due to low ridership and the poor condition of the building.[25] The station agents were withdrawn in November 1993, but Amtrak trains continued to stop.[26] A family trust purchased the building for $180,000 in December 1993. By that time, the structure was boarded up; the roof leaked and had collapsed in one section.[27][28] The tri-weekly Sunset Limited was extended to Miami on April 4, 1993, with Delray Beach among the added stops.[29] On April 2, 1995, Amtrak service was relocated to the Tri-Rail station.[30][9]

Later changes

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The Sunset Limited was cut back to Sanford on November 10, 1996; the same day, Amtrak began operating the Silver Palm, a third daily New York–Miami train.[31][32] The Silver Palm was renamed Palmetto in 2002; it was cut back to Savannah, Georgia, on November 1, 2004, leaving Delray Beach with two daily Amtrak round trips.[33][34] On November 10, 2024, the Silver Star was merged with the Capitol Limited as the Floridian.[35]

In the mid-1990s, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority began a project to double track the Tri-Rail corridor. The agency awarded a $231 million contract for the Palm Beach County segment in August 2001.[36] Several stations were modified in 2003–2005 with a second platform and a footbridge. Those at Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, Lake Worth, Mangonia Park, and West Palm Beach were all built to the same design.[37] The rebuilt Delray Beach station cost about $4.5 million.[38]

The former station building was sold in April 1996 for $325,000. The new owner made $100,000 in renovations and began using it as an office and storage space that December.[39] It was sold several more times in the following decade. In May 2005, the city purchased the building for $1.575 million.[40] The city used it for storage but planned a restoration. On February 25, 2020, the building was significantly damaged by a fire set by four teenagers.[41] In January 2021, the city approved plans for a $2.6 million restoration to convert the building into municipal offices. It was partially funded by $1.8 million in insurance money.[42] The renovations were completed in November 2024.[43]

References

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  1. ^ "Amtrak Fact Sheet, Fiscal year 2024: State of Florida" (PDF). Amtrak. March 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  2. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d Johnson, John P.; Zimny, Michael (July 1986). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form: Seaboard Airline Railroad Station". National Park Service.
  4. ^ "Seaboard's Special Speeding To Miami". The Miami Herald. January 8, 1927. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Passenger Schedules. Seaboard Coast Line Railroad. December 11, 1970 – via Wikimedia Commons.
  6. ^ National Railroad Passenger Corporation Train Schedules. Seaboard Coast Line Railroad. May 1, 1971 – via Wikimedia Commons.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Warner, David C.; Goldberg, Bruce (2021). Fifty Years of Amtrak Trains: A Comprehensive Survey of Amtrak Routes: 1971–2021. Bucklin, Missouri: White River Productions. ISBN 978-1-932804-70-6.
  8. ^
  9. ^ a b Feder, Barbara (February 15, 1995). "Amtrak will use Delray's Tri-rail stop". The Palm Beach Post. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Bradbery, Angela (May 19, 1989). "Architect facing end of line; Delray train station may be sold". The Palm Beach Post. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Crockett, Kimberly (November 19, 1988). "Tri-Rail to start without two stations". The Miami Herald. p. 2D – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Campbell, Scott G. (January 11, 1989). "Tri-Rail ridership rises; officials tackle problems". The Palm Beach Post. p. 3B – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Newman, Joe (November 1, 1989). "Second site proposed for Delray depot". The Palm Beach Post. p. 12B – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Smith, Stephanie (January 26, 1991). "Injunction allows Tri-Rail commuters to park in lot free". South Florida Sun Sentinel. p. 3B – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Pierce, Rick (May 1, 1991). "Tri-Rail ending stop in Delray". South Florida Sun Sentinel. pp. 1A, 12A – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Allen, C. Ron (May 3, 1991). "7 left stranded, unaware of change at Tri-Rail stop". South Florida Sun Sentinel. p. 3B – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Montgomery, Scott (May 8, 1991). "Tri-Rail considers three locations for new Delray station". The Palm Beach Post. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "New Tri-Rail stop backed by county". The Miami Herald. May 15, 1991. p. PB B1 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Montgomery, Scott (August 24, 1991). "Tri-Rail service resumes Monday to Delray Beach". The Palm Beach Post. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "New Tri-Rail Station is Welcome". The Sun-Sentinel. August 25, 1991. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ George, Dana Yvette (August 21, 1991). "New Tri-Rail stop remains on track for Monday opening". Boca Raton News. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ George, Dana Yvette (August 29, 1991). "Foreclosure, sale won't derail Amtrak stops at train depot". Boca Raton News. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ Allen, C. Ron (August 29, 1991). "Bank may hold key to historic depot's fate". South Florida Sun Sentinel. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ Sultan, Brad (October 16, 1992). "Time takes toll on historic depot". Boca Raton News. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ Lewis-Bohannon, Carol (October 14, 1993). "Amtrak may shut down train station". South Florida Sun Sentinel. pp. 1B, 18B – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ Lewis-Bohannon, Carol (October 22, 1993). "Amtrak cuts service at station in Delray". South Florida Sun Sentinel. p. 5B – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ Lewis-Bohannon, Carol (December 19, 1993). "Buyer plans to renovate historic depot". South Florida Sun Sentinel. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ Williamson, Darcie (December 21, 1993). "Eatery possible for depot in Delray". Boca Raton News. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ Morrissey, Siobhan (March 29, 1993). "Miami to LA: Rail romance revived on route". The Palm Beach Post: Martin/St. Lucie. pp. 1B, 3B – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ Morrissey, Siobhan (April 2, 1995). "Last Train Leaves Delray Depot". The Palm Beach Post. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "Amtrak saves $200 million by cutting, adding routes". The Palm Beach Post. August 9, 1996. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ Jackovics, Ted (November 4, 1996). "Bus ride gets longer before all aboard Amtrak". The Tampa Tribune: Pinellas. pp. 1, 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ Schmidt, Brian (May 2, 2023). "Amtrak Miami services through time". Classic Trains. Archived from the original on July 25, 2025.
  34. ^ Turnbell, Michael (November 5, 2004). "Amtrak promises better service as it cuts schedule". South Florida Sun Sentinel. p. 3B – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ "Amtrak Launching the Floridian, with Daily Service Between Chicago and Miami" (Press release). Amtrak. September 23, 2024. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  36. ^ "Experts get rolling on twin tracks". South Florida Sun Sentinel. August 25, 2001. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^
  38. ^ Fischer, Marsha (August 17, 2003). "Taking a new track". South Florida Sun Sentinel: Delray Beach. pp. 1, 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ Becker, Lara (December 11, 1996). "New Life Envisioned For Railway Depot". Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on August 26, 2012.
  40. ^ "80 Depot Avenue". Palm Beach County Property Appraiser. Palm Beach County. Archived from the original on July 21, 2025.
  41. ^ Whigham, Julius II (February 27, 2020). "Teens bought lighter before setting fire at old train depot, Delray police say". The Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021.
  42. ^ Diamond, Mike (January 19, 2021). "After fire nearly destroyed historic Delray train depot, city rolls out restoration plan". The Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021.
  43. ^ Fernández, Jasmine (November 19, 2024). "Historic Delray train depot reopens as new entity after fire nearly destroyed it in 2020". The Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on November 19, 2024.
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Media related to Delray Beach station at Wikimedia Commons

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