Metrolink’s Buena Park station opens for business

More than 170 Metrolink passengers boarded the first 10 trains to pull into Orange County’s 11th and newest station, which opened Tuesday in Buena Park.

A contingent of City Council members, city staffers and county Supervisor Chris Norby arose early to take the first train that rolled into the Lakeknoll Drive station at 4:45 a.m.

“Everyone was very excited, and this was something the council wanted to do before an official grand opening is held,” said Jim Vanderpool, deputy city manager, who rode the train to Union Station in Los Angeles and back.

Councilman Art Brown said the station was a needed “transportation milestone.”

It will probably alleviate parking congestion at the nearby Fullerton station, he said.

It is believed to be the first passenger train to stop in Buena Park in at least 40 years, though no one was quite sure when the last train actually came to the city.

“I believe it’s at least 60 years,” Norby said, who contacted the county archivist’s office in an effort to pin down the facts.

The $14-million station was designed to replicate the tower at Knott’s Berry Farm, which itself is a replica of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall.

The tower is also featured in the city’s logo.

The station was built with local and federal dollars through Metrolink and the Orange County Transportation Authority.

Like other stations, it has a large boarding platform, ticket machines, parking and a canopied waiting area with benches.

The station represents part of the Metrolink expansion in Orange County.

By 2009, the goal is to have commuter trains running every 30 minutes from 5 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, between Fullerton and Laguna Niguel.

Seven locomotives and 59 more passenger cars have been ordered, new track has been laid, and parking lot improvements are scheduled for Fullerton, Orange, Tustin, Irvine and Laguna Niguel.

david.reyes@latimes.com