Twilight on the Sound, Darien – Painting by artist John Frederick Kensett.
Welcome to Rowayton – a delightful neighborhood of Norwalk (full of people with salaries significantly higher than mine), located right along the coastline of Long Island Sound. The New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad ran through this area for many years, but a station was only established in Rowayton in February of 1868. According to popular lore the station was built at the urging of several prominent artists that worked in the area. Vincent Colyer and John Frederick Kensett worked out of a studio located on Contentment Island – although a part of Darien, the new Rowayton station was less than a mile away.
The eastbound station at Rowayton, photograph from 1916. [image credit]
Another shot of the eastbound station, taken in 1931. By this time the railroad had been electrified, and the catenary system is visible in the background. [image credit]
 
Thanks to Flickr user caboose_radio, we have a whole bunch of historical photos of Rowayton station. The eastbound station pictured at the very top was built in 1896, and was removed in 1955. After that time a new station was built, and this is the station building that still exists at Rowayton today… though it doesn’t look nearly as charming.
The current station building at Rowayton. Photo was taken in 1967. [image credit]
The major difference between Rowayton in the historical photos above, and what the station looks like today are the platforms – the former low-level platforms have been replaced with high-level versions. Located on these platform are a few newspaper, and ticket vending machines. The New York-bound side has a canopy, while the opposite side has only a small shelter area. Rowayton is about 39 miles from Grand Central, and the average trip to the city takes about an hour.
That is about all I have for Rowayton today. There are only ten more stations left to visit on the New Haven Line, which means by mid-March the tour will be all wrapped up – and it will be onto the Port Jervis Line.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Â
“ . . . which means by mid-March the tour will be all wrapped up – and it will be onto the Port Jervis Line.”
What’s the Hudson Line . . . chopped liver?
Haha, nope. That is the next line I am going to photograph. I’ve already been to all the PJ stations, back in October I think. Just haven’t posted em yet. My camera is currently hibernating for the winter.
I think after the Port Jervis line the next tour should be the Upper Pascack Valley line just to get to Al. Just kidding.
Actually I look forward to every Tuesday to see the tours of the different stations.
Emily who I have read (NY Times piece) does not drive, takes great time and care to get every one of these stations in pictures and I’m sure she like everyone else would love to photograph the Hudson line either in the spring or in the fall to really get the essence and beauty of some of the historic Hudson line stations.
Keep posting the pictures and commentary. I look forward to every new one!
Pascack Valley is quick though, three or four stations I think? :D
Shh… don’t tell Al, but the Hudson Line pictures might be nicer than the rest. I’ve purchased a new camera as a New Year’s present to myself. I’m trying to ignore the fact that it cost more than I make each paycheck (and I get paid every 2 weeks). I’ve had a few different cameras over the years I’ve been doing this, and I’m thinking there would be a few places I’d really like to go visit again to get better shots.
Good for you, if the camera gets better shots go for it.
I’ve purchased equipment for my interests that definitely made me rethink the whole “How is rent getting paid?” thing. As far as cameras I’ve only been partial to Canon equipment for it’s durability and very good quality (from the 35mm days to my digital now) images it produces.
PV is only 3 stops in MN territory, Pearl River, Nanuet, and Spring Valley.
Hudson Line in spring with the back-splash of the river, the palisades and the historic stations in spring OR fall is a great thing to photograph. Too bad MN does not have an open house at Croton Harmon anymore, that’d be a great addition to a spread on the Hudson Line.
I can’t wait for pictures of the Port Jervis line. Moodna viaduct as well as the tunnels and final stop of Port Jervis make that one of the most interesting of MN Lines. Any shots of the old Graham line along the way?