Malvern, AR (MVN)

Ticket Revenue

FY 2011

$147,677

Station Ridership

FY 2011

1,750

Note: Fiscal year is from
October through September.

Malvern is a flag stop along the route of the Texas Eagle. If there is a reservation for a passenger boarding or detraining here, the train will stop. If not, it simply continues through. Amtrak is located in the south end of Malvern’s former Missouri Pacific (MoPac) depot in an enclosed breezeway.

The MoPac depot is a Mediterranean style red brick building originally built in 1916, and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1992. Most of the station is occupied by the Arkansas Midland Railway, a unit of the Pinsly Railroad Company, an owner of several other “short-line” railroads in the U.S.

From 1876 to 1901, Malvern served as the only junction point for passengers headed to Hot Springs National Park. Passengers traveling on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain, and Southern Railroad transferred at Malvern to the Hot Springs Railroad. The former railroad roundhouse is still located across the tracks from the Malvern Amtrak station.

The area around present day Malvern was originally inhabited by the Caddo Indian tribe. The first Europeans to arrive in the area were hunters, traders and trappers. The city was founded in 1870 by the Cairo and Fulton Railroad and was named for Malvern Hill in Virginia. In 1874, Chicago industrialist James Reynolds established the Hot Springs Railroad (the “Diamond Jo”), a narrow-gauge railroad that extended from the Malvern junction to Hot Springs, making Malvern a prominent junction point. All tourists wishing to “take the waters” of the Hot Springs passed through Malvern. In 1900, the Little Rock, Hot Springs & Western Railroad opened, providing a more direct access to the springs. The Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf and the Iron Mountain used the new route, and passenger service through Malvern quickly diminished.

Malvern is known as the “Brick Capital of the World” due to plentiful nearby clay deposits. Three Acme Brick plants are located in the area. Each June, Malvern celebrates Brickfest, a festival that includes music, food, and events such as the brick toss, brick car derby, and a best dressed brick contest. In June 2009, the historic train depot was cleaned by community service workers to spruce it up in time for Brickfest. Malvern is also home to the Hot Spring County Fair and Rodeo, celebrated each fall.

Today, at 21 miles south of the Hot Springs, Malvern is the closest Amtrak stop to the national park. Hot Springs National Park, known for its medicinal bathing industry and referred to as “The American Spa,” became protected by the federal government in 1832.

Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton graduated from Malvern High School. Other notable residents include football player Keith Traylor, and former senator John Little McClellan.

Amtrak does not provide ticketing or baggage services at this facility.

Malvern is served by two daily trains.