After 43 years, St. Paul's Union Depot marks return of passenger trains

Pioneer Press ^ | Fred Melo

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Passenger trains are again rolling into St. Paul's historic Union Depot.

Ramsey County leaders joined their peers from St. Paul and the state Wednesday to welcome Amtrak to their meticulously restored depot. The first train, the westbound Empire Builder from Chicago, arrived at 11:13 p.m. -- 70 minutes late -- en route to Seattle and Portland, Ore.

"Our beautifully restored building is achieving our vision as a multimodal transit facility and a unique gathering place for people," said Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega, chair of the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority, said during ceremonies earlier in the day.

But don't call Amtrak's arrival a comeback.

The modern incarnation of passenger rail has never before stopped in downtown St Paul. On April 30, 1971, the last passenger trains -- operated by Burlington Northern -- ended service to the Capital City, shuttering the transit hub on Kellogg Boulevard in Lowertown. When Amtrak officially rolled into being the next day, it stopped in Minneapolis.

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Willie Green rejoices.

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There were all sorts of federal vehicles and local bureaucrats gladhanding and congratulating each other down there.