title: Sparks station
text: # Sparks station
  
  The Sparks station is a former passenger train station in Sparks, Nevada. Amtrak service commenced when the company assumed passenger operations in the United States in 1971. Prior to closing in 2009, it was served daily by Amtrak's (the National Railroad Passenger Corporation) California Zephyr, running once daily between Chicago, Illinois, and Emeryville, California (in the San Francisco Bay Area). Although the California Zephyr still passes through Sparks, it no longer stops at the station.
  
  In May 2009, the station was closed because of its proximity to Reno (three track miles (4.8 km) to the west). Safety issues also played a part, as the former station was in a freight yard and what appears to be the station building is actually a Union Pacific yard office. Amtrak Thruway bus services continue to stop nearby at Nugget Casino Resort. Freight operations continue under Union Pacific.
  
  