The 55th station on the Metrolink system was set to open to the public on September 4th, 2007. As with most of the other first trains arriving at new stations in Orange County, I planned to be there and with my sleeping patterns way off due to our excess heat in Southern California, it was no problem getting up at 3:30 AM to catch the first Metrolink train, 681, now starting its journey fromt Laguna Niguel-Mission Viejo at 4:32 AM. After a very early breakfast, I drove to the Santa Ana station, crossed over the bridge to Track 1 and heard the train horn but managed to get my ticket to Buena Park and had a moment to get the camera out just before the train arrived.
Metrolink 681 9/4/2007
The train arrived and I boarded, walking to the cab car for the ride to Buena Park. One man just made the train as it was now a few minutes earlier than before. We stopped at Orange, Anaheim and Fullerton before the four minute sprint to the new Buena Park station, where I detrained to cheers from the Orange County Transportation Agency, which was there to welcome all passengers.
Buena Park New Station 9/04/2007
The first train to use the new Buena Park Metrolink station and I was the first passenger to step off a train here.
The Metrolink Ambassador chatting with the Conductor.
The first train leaving Buena Park on time, after which I walked over to the OCTA table, picking up a lapel pin and a doughnut. Now let's look around the station.
Unlike most Metrolink stations, this one has a washroom.
The pedestrian bridge to cross to the eastbound tracks.
There is an area where the buses pull in to meet the trains.
This station has a very unique clock tower, which is 70 feet high and is modelled after the one at Knott's Berry Farm – which was inspired by the original at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Another platform scene.
A westbound BNSF freight came through then it was my turn to use the ticket machine.
The ticketing machine was not accepting credit cards so I went across the bridge to Track 2 and found a chair to sit in and enjoyed the cool morning air. As I read Trains Magazine, another westbound BNSF, as well as a BNSF local, came by.
Metrolink 601 arrived at Buena Park at 6:05 AM.
At 6:12 AM, Metrolink 700 arrived and I was the first passenger to step onto an eastbound Metrolink train at Buena Park. It took me back to Fullerton, where I detrained and crossed the bridge there to the Santa Fe Café and a can of Coca-Cola then returned over the bridge to Track 2 to wait for Pacific Surfliner 562 to take me back to Santa Ana.
Sunrise at Fullerton this morning.
I boarded Pacific Surfliner 562 for the 10.3 mile trip back to Santa Ana, where I went straight to work, ending another excellent rail adventure.
