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The Saint Louis Union Station, Pride Of The City

Today’s Saint Louis Union Station no longer serves dozens of inbound and outbound passenger trains heading east and west. However, the station is one of our country’s largest and in terms of beauty and passengers served it competes with the likes of New York City’s Grand Central Terminal and Pennsylvania Station. Fortunately, it has been beautifully restored and now serves more for entertainment and shopping with museums (including an operating model railroad), plays, restaurants, and tours available as just a few of things available for you (there is even a hotel now on the grounds).

The station was completed in 1894 and served in its original role until 1978 when the final long-distance passenger train left its magnificent train shed (at one time the station also saw over 100,000 daily passengers pass through its doors). Unlike many railroad stations and depots it was not long, however, until Saint Louis Union Station found a new life as an entertainment venue when in August 1985 it was completely restored at a staggering cost of over $150 million and today is a National Historic Landmark.

When the Saint Louis Union Station was constructed in the late 19th century it was built by the Terminal Railroad Association of Saint Louis, which was jointly owned by the Missouri Pacific Railroad; Saint Louis, Iron Mountain, & Southern Railway; Wabash Railroad; Ohio & Mississippi Railroad; Louisville & Nashville Railroad; and Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & Saint Louis Railway (later owned by the New York Central).

Today this railroad is still in operation and owned by BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation, Canadian National Railway, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific to ferry traffic around the St. Louis area. However, at the time the railroad's ownership of the station allowed all of its owners to use the building (which was the purpose) and dozens and dozens of trains called there daily.

The station's architect was Theodore C. Link and the building's exterior was of the French Romanesque style with cut stone and towers featured on the exterior with a grand 280-foot clock tower as the centerpiece. The station's interior featured a 65-foot vaulted ceiling in the Grand Hall and stained-glass windows. The building was split into three main sections; the Headhouse (where the Grand Hall was located featuring mosiacs, gold leaf details and scagliola surfaces); the Midway (which was the main concourse measuring at 610 feet long by 70 feet wide); and finally the Trainshed which featured 32 tracks on nearly 12 acres of ground for the dozens of trains calling there.

While it has been discussed recently to remove the four remaining tracks that actually still serve the station, today train service continues to be available via Metro Link. Similarly it would be rather sad to see the station no longer carry any railroad tracks because of the significant and historical relation they carry to the building. In all, it is very heartening to see the station still standing and beautifully restored in its original splendor.

For more reading about railroad stations you might want to consider a copy of Railroad Stations from author Brian Solomon. While the book is just a very general overview of some of the great stations that once stood in this country it is quite good with lots of historical photographs, including that of Grand Central Terminal and the late Pennsylvania Station (it also gives a history of the thousands of small depots that existed in most communities). All in all if you’re interested in stations and depots you’re sure to enjoy Mr. Solomon’s book on the subject.

Also, for an book featuring Saint Louis Union Station consider Saint Louis Union Station from author Albert Montesi. Published by Arcadia Publishing the book gives an in-depth look at the historical building and as with all Arcadia books includes over 200 images. If you’re interested in the building’s past and particularly what railroads once served the station you are sure to enjoy the book! If you're interested in perhaps purchasing these books please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".

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