Union Station is one of Kansas City’s crown jewels. Whether you’re headed to catch the latest blockbuster exhibit or headed to catch a train, it caters to both locals and tourists alike. Its storied saga is one for the history books. And with so many viable stats just waiting to be shared, we went straight to the top and asked George Guastello, president and CEO of Union Station Inc. to give us all the deets.
Year Union Station originally opened: 1914
Price tag for Union Station in 1914: $50 million investment that Included Union Station, new switching towers, tracks, viaducts, and bridge
Size of original Union Station building: 850,000 square feet. With 10 levels and 900 rooms.
Year Union Station closed: 1983
Year Union Station re-opened: 1999
The weight of the three chandeliers that hang from Union Station’s ceilings: 3,500 lbs. each.
Most trains to ever pass through Union Station in one year: 79,368 in 1917
Number of daily trains that serve Union Station: 6 passenger trains
Price of one-way train ticket to St. Louis when Union Station opened: Approximately $5
Price of one-way train to St. Louis today: $44 For One Reserved Coach Seat
Lights used during the holiday season: 20,000+ LED lights
Number of Xmas trees sprinkled throughout the venue during the holidays: 70+
Number of visitors to Science City last year: 267,000. That’s a record high. It’s our fourth consecutive year of increased attendance.
Number of events held at Union Station last year: 400 private and public events
Annual energy bill to power Union Station: $1.8 Million
Number of full- and part-time employees working for Union Station: 59 employees
Most expensive item in the Science City store:A $549.99 amethyst
Least expensive item in the Science City store:A $0.97 pencil sharpener
