Train Days Coming to Union Depot, June 6 & 7

All Aboard for Train Days at Union Depot’s 100th Birthday Celebration

Get ready for a can’t-miss weekend of trains, music, and family fun as Union Depot celebrates 100 years in a big way during its annual Train Days event!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 6 (12–6 p.m.) and Sunday, June 7 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.), 2026, when this historic St. Paul landmark transforms into a lively hub of railroad excitement—and best of all, it’s free to attend.

What Families Can Expect

Train lovers of all ages will find plenty to explore throughout the weekend. Highlights include:

🚆 Massive model train displays that will wow kids and adults alike
🛍️ A rail-themed marketplace filled with toys, apparel, and unique finds
🎨 A kids’ activity zone featuring crafts, coloring, sidewalk chalk, a bounce house, and even a DJ dance party
🚂 Opportunities to step aboard historic trains and get an up-close look (more details coming soon!)

Hungry? Grab a bite from local food trucks while you take in the action.

Celebrate 100 Years of Union Depot

As part of the Centennial celebration, visitors can:

Take free guided history tours of the depot
Explore the newly renovated Historic Stair Museum
Shop for limited-edition Centennial merchandise

New This Year: Train Days Music Fest 🎶

The celebration gets even bigger on Saturday, June 6, with the debut of the Train Days Music Fest! Starting at 3 p.m. on the South Lawn, this free, all-ages concert will feature local artists (to be announced soon), adding a fun festival vibe to the day.

Shop & Support Local

While you’re there, stop into some of Union Depot’s local businesses, including:

1881 Eating House
Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store
Lowertown Bike Shop and Coffee
Story Line Books

“Last year I overheard a guest say that Train Days are the best days,” said Maurina Rondeau, Marketing and Events Manager at Union Depot. “Based on the popularity of the event, it’s true for a lot of people.”

Train Equipment Tours

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about train equipment with up-close views of historic locomotives. Each train features a unique background story to discover.

BNSF SD9 Locomotive No. 1550

BNSF Railway donated a rebuilt SD9 to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth. BNSF 1550 was built in February 1954 by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors for the Great Northern Railway as No. 573. EMD built 515 SD9s between 1954 and 1959. No. 573 worked for many years in Superior, Wis. on the GN ore docks and in ore transfer service. It became Burlington Northern No. 6100 when that railroad was formed in March 1970, and later worked for BN in the Twin Cities area. After BNSF Railway was formed in 1995, No. 6100 was selected for a rebuild program to upgrade it with modern components. It was remanufactured in December 1998 by rebuilder VMV with new electronics, an upgraded engine, air conditioning, and a new cab. It also had its high nose chopped down to allow better visibility. In 2006 it was renumbered BNSF 1710, then in 2009 was renumbered again to BNSF 1550.

Visit uniondepot.org/traindays and Union Depot social media channels to see vendor highlights and learn more about Train Days.

Twin Cities & Western Railroad GP38‐2 Locomotive

This locomotive is a rebuilt GP38-2 type 2,000 horsepower locomotive built by General Motors Electro Motive Division and owned by Glencoe-based Twin Cities & Western Railroad. Twin Cities & Western began operations on July 27, 1991. In the last three decades, the family-owned company has become Minnesota’s largest short line railroad. It is responsible for moving almost $1.5 billion in goods from Minnesota and South Dakota farms and manufacturers to markets in 39 US states, Canada and Mexico. From Glencoe, Twin Cities & Western trains operate to Minneapolis/St. Paul and west to Milbank, S.D., over 229 miles of track. Twin Cities & Western is one of the leading supporters of Union Depot Train Days, providing a locomotive and moving equipment to the event at no charge since 2016.

Photo: Union Depot

Milwaukee Road E9A No. 32A

Milwaukee Road E9A No. 32A was built in 1955 by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors. It was one of 12 E9A units and six B units built for use on Union Pacific’s “City” streamliners when they switched from the Chicago & North Western to the Milwaukee Road between Chicago and Omaha in 1955. They were also used on other Milwaukee Road trains including several which served Union Depot, such as the Olympian Hiawatha between Chicago, the Twin Cities and Seattle/Tacoma, and the Twin Cities Hiawathas and overnight Pioneer Limited between Chicago and the Twin Cities. No. 32A is one of only four Milwaukee Road E9s known to survive and is now owned by the non-profit Railroading Heritage of Midwest America/Friends of the 261.

Those with an interest in history will enjoy the Train Days Full Steam Ahead exhibit—a collection of historical photography showcasing the importance of steam locomotives throughout the development of the United States.

Visitors will be able to browse a rail-themed marketplace featuring a wide selection of vendors. Toys, apparel, model trains, photography, and other locomotive items will be on display and available for purchase. The event will also feature food and beverage options at food trucks and at Station 81 Drink & Eatery in the Union Depot Head House.

The family-friendly event will also include a dedicated kids activity area where children will find crafts, coloring kits, train play tables, and more. A DJ, dance zone, bounce house, and chalk-drawing area will keep everyone entertained on the East Plaza. There will also be oversized games such as chess and Jenga available to play. Large model trains will weave in and around eye-catching miniature landscapes.