Alum Rock is the terminus of the East Tasman/Capital Extension that opened on June 24, 2004. The station consists of an island platform in the middle of Capital Avenue starting at the intersection of Wilbur Avenue and run northwest (San Jose-bound since the line makes a giant arc) this intersection is the only entrance to the platform. The two tracks have a crossover switch just northwest the platform. This means all trains switch over to change directions before or after entering the station. The tracks still continue across Wilbur Avenue to become two tail tracks with enough room to store an extra trainset on a layover.
The Alum Rock Transit Center is across the southbound lanes of Capital Avenue on the southwest side of the street. The transit center has ten bus bays on a two-way bus loop with stops on each side a bit set back from the actual train station. The stops have standard bus shelters. Behind and around the bus loop are 180 parking spaces. In the wide plaza between the modes is a small two-story brick building with a Spanish style roof. A porch extends to the street held up by white columns. This building houses VTA crew quarters and other offices. Next to the station building is a tall mosaic triangular pillar, its Garden Verity, entrance marker by Wick Alexander.
The island platform has two tan colored canopy structures. Portions of the canopies are made of painted glass designed by Jean Whitesavage and Nick Lyle. The leaves at this stop are based on the Buckeye and Sycamore. Entry railings along the short ramps up to the platform level are blue and have floral patterns inspired by the Blue Eyed Grass. The pavers on the platform are distinctive looking and by Victor Zaballa. For waiting passengers there are benches both beneath the canopy structures and additional benches separate from them on exposed portions of the platform. These exposed benches are made out of concrete and backs of the benches have tons of little tiles by Lester Shields School. The theme of the drawings is transportation.
All Photos: 28 February, 2012
McKee