Omaha Exploration

My name is Patrick Wyman, join me as I explore Omaha and the surrounding area. With an emphasis on the origin stories of the places that define this city, I also cover new developments, attractions, events and whatever else catches my eye.

Omaha’s Amtrak Station

As rail passenger service continued to decline and Penn Central, the largest railroad in the country on the verge of bankruptcy, it announced its plan to discontinue 34 of its passenger trains. That led to the formation of a quasi-public corporation to operate passenger rail routes in 1971. First named Railpax, it was renamed as…

Patrick Wyman
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As rail passenger service continued to decline and Penn Central, the largest railroad in the country on the verge of bankruptcy, it announced its plan to discontinue 34 of its passenger trains. That led to the formation of a quasi-public corporation to operate passenger rail routes in 1971. First named Railpax, it was renamed as Amtrak shortly thereafter. 

1929 Durham Museum drawing of Omaha’s two former train stations with Union Station on the left and Burlington Station on the right. Neither of these serve Amtrak today.

In Omaha Amtrak first considered using Union Station but instead opted for Burlington Station causing Union Station to close as a result. In 1974 Amtrak moved out of the old train station citing high maintenance costs.

1979 Omaha World-Herald photo of the temporary train station which consisted of three connected trailers.

It moved its passenger service to three connected trailers just east of the Burlington in a parking lot. Referred to as an “Am-shack” – it didn’t even have signage. One of the trailers was used for baggage, tickets, restrooms and the ticket office while the other two were used by passengers. On busy days 50 people waited inside while another 40-50 stood outside. There suggestions of moving service back to Burlington following a renovation or even utilizing Union Station. 

1983 Omaha World-Herald photo of the temporary train station which consisted of three connected trailers.

In 1979 the president of the Iowa-Nebraska Association of Railroad Passengers called Amtrak a deliberate failure. He said Omaha’s terrible train service was part of a plan to cut back and eventually discontinue the country’s rail passenger service because the Department of Transportation prefers that people use the highway system. There were even recommendations to cut passenger service to Nebraska altogether.

1983 Omaha World-Herald photo of the construction of the current Amtrak station. Western Heritage is now called the Durham Museum.

In 1983 the trailers were finally replaced with the current building at the same site. It was built according to one of Amtrak’s standard designs. It has a capacity of 50 in addition to baggage and handling space.

2023 Omaha Exploration photo of the Amtrak entrance in the early morning hours waiting for the train to Chicago to arrive.

Today the Omaha station is served by the California Zephyr whose route is said to be among the most scenic in the country. The train includes coach and sleeping cars, observation car in addition to a dining car and lounge. The train headed east arrives around 5 AM while the train headed west arrives around 11 PM each day.

2023 Omaha Exploration photo in the Amtrak lobby waiting for the train to Chicago to arrive.

In recent years, proposals to expand service include a route connecting Minneapolis, Sioux Falls, Omaha, Kansas City and Phoenix in addition to a direct connection between Omaha and Chicago as well as Omaha and Lincoln.

2023 Omaha Exploration photo of the sign denoting this as the Omaha Amtrak station.

Fortunately the old train stations still stand but both are used in a different capacity. The former Union Station now serves as the Union Station while the Burlington Station is the home to KETV.

What could have been? 2023 Omaha Exploration of Chicago’s Union Station which is utilized for Amtrak among others.

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More pictures

Google Earth aerial view of the two train stations and the Amtrak station.
The California Zephyr making its way from California to Chicago. Photo courtesy of Wander Wisdom.
2023 Omaha Exploration photo on the train headed to Chicago!
Photo of the observation car in California Zephyr. Photo courtesy of Medium.

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One response to “Omaha’s Amtrak Station”

  1. Chris Norden Avatar
    Chris Norden

    Think how incredibly fortunate Omaha is to have not just one, but TWO grand historic railroad stations, both restored like this! Though they’re no longer used for passenger traffic, I can think of no other city in America (except New York) that still has two historic stations standing like this. It’s truly an Omaha treasure, another way in which Omaha shines spectacularly and unexpectedly from the heart of the country!

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