The Saint Louis Union Station, Pride Of The City

Today's Saint Louis Union Station, once one of the busiest train stations in the world, no longer serves dozens of inbound and outbound passenger trains heading east and west (during the station's heyday you could find premier trains from railroads like the Baltimore & Ohio, Louisville & Nashville, and New York Central calling there). 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).

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; St. Louis, Iron Mountain, & Southern Railway (a Missouri Pacific subsidiary); Wabash Railroad; Ohio & Mississippi Railroad; Louisville & Nashville Railroad; and Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & Saint Louis Railway (later owned by the New York Central). Due to these railroads owning the building the station saw some of their best trains using its platforms including the B&O's National Limited and Diplomat; the NYC's Knickerbocker and Southwestern Limited; the Missouri Pacific's Missouri River Eagle, Missourian, Ozarker, Southerner, Sunflower, Sunshine Special, and Texan; the L&N's Humming Bird; and about all of the Wabash's named trains like the Bluebird and the Wabash Cannon Ball (there were many more).

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.

Today, Saint Louis Union Station is perhaps in better condition than it ever was under railroad ownership. The interior's lavish decorations and restored rooms has made the building one of the city's preeminent destinations. You can find more than two dozen places to dine inside as well as numerous shops and specialty stores. In 2011 the station finished a major restoration and upgrade by Marriott Hotel in the building's main terminal, moving several stores to the next door train shed. This has allowed the station to provide even more luxurious accommodations for travelers and visitors.

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 information regarding Saint Louis Union Station please click here to visit their website, which includes all of the activities, accommodations, and venues found on the premises.

Please Click Here To Return To The Main Railroad Stations And Depots Section

Also, for a 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 perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

Share Your Thoughts