Durand Union Station / Michigan Railroad History Museum, Michigan

Oct 19

Durand, Michigan · Updated October 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Depot museum

Durand Union Station is a 1905 Chateau Romanesque depot, once among Michigan's busiest stations, that the community saved from demolition and turned into the Michigan Railroad History Museum, with rotating exhibits, a research library and archives.

Depot rebuilt in 1905
Bought by the city for $1
Museum open Tuesday to Sunday
Rotating railroad exhibits
ADA compliant building
Sensory inclusive audio tour

Durand Union Station / Michigan Railroad History Museum at a glance

Hours: Museum: Tuesday to Friday 1 to 5 pm, Saturday 11 am to 5 pm, Sunday 1 to 5 pm; closed Monday
Admission: Not posted online; call (989) 288-3561
Seasonal events: Halloween Kids Day, Santa at the Depot, Festival of Trees, Santa and Friends
Plan for: About 1 to 1.5 hours
Best for: Rail history fans, photographers and families
Best ages: Ages 4 and up
Accessibility: Durand Union Station is an ADA compliant facility, and a sensory inclusive audio tour is offered.

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Contact and directions

Address200 S. Railroad St., Durand, MI 48429(opens in a new tab)
Phone(989) 288-3561
Websitedurandstation.org(opens in a new tab)

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Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Durand Union Station / Michigan Railroad History Museum? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Durand.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

The $1 rescue of Michigan's crossroads depot

Durand grew up around the railroads. The village, first called Vernon Center, took shape in the late 1850s, boomed with the rail expansion of the 1870s and incorporated as Durand in 1887. Its union station, designed by Spier and Rohms, opened in 1903. About eighteen months later a fire nearly destroyed it, and the depot was rebuilt in 1905.

This was a hard-working station. The Grand Trunk Western and the Ann Arbor railroads crossed at grade right here, and at the industry's early 1900s peak, 42 passenger trains, 22 mail trains and 78 freight trains passed through Durand every day. Around 3,000 passengers a day moved through the building, which the museum calls the second busiest train station in Michigan in its time. Travelers could eat in a formal dining room or at a snack counter with swivel stools and nickel comic books, while railroad offices and a crew sleeping area filled the second floor.

Traffic fell off after World War I, and in 1974 Grand Trunk decided it could no longer justify the cost of keeping the station. With demolition looming, the community rallied, and in 1979 the city bought the depot for $1.00. The nonprofit Durand Union Station, Inc. formed in 1982 to preserve and run the building and museum, and the restored lower level now shows off terrazzo floors, oak trimmed windows facing the tracks and a restored ticket cage.

A gallery, an archive and a working station

The Michigan Railroad History Museum gallery changes its exhibits several times a year, paying tribute to railroaders and to the part Michigan's railroads played in lumber, mining, agriculture and industry. Displays from the Ann Arbor Technical and Historical Society and the Grand Trunk Western Historical Society add depth, and a sensory inclusive audio tour is available for visitors who want a guided listen.

For researchers and genealogists, the museum's library and archives hold photographs, ledgers, technical railroad information, union materials and other records of railroading in Michigan; the archives are open by appointment. And the depot is still a station: Amtrak's Blue Water trains stop here, so with luck you may see a passenger train while you visit. Even the building itself is an exhibit, since its unusual shape makes it one of the most photographed depots in the country.

Don’t miss

The Chateau Romanesque depotThe building's unusual architecture has made it one of the most photographed train stations in America, so bring a camera.
The restored ticket cageA turn of the century detail in the renovated lower level, alongside gleaming terrazzo floors.
The rotating museum galleryNew exhibits arrive several times a year, so repeat visits show something different.
The library and archivesPhotographs, ledgers, union materials and technical records, open by appointment for research and family history.
Track-side windowsOak trimmed windows look out on the tracks where two railroads once crossed and Amtrak's Blue Water still stops.

Trains outside, Santa and Halloween inside

Kids who love watching trains can look out the depot's track-side windows, and the station still sees Amtrak's Blue Water trains. The building is ADA compliant, which makes strollers and wheelchairs easier to manage, and the sensory inclusive audio tour is a thoughtful option for children who do better with a calmer, guided visit.

The events calendar is family friendly too. As of October 2026, Halloween Kids Day is set for October 23, Santa at the Depot for November 28, and Santa and Friends for December 19.

Plan your visit: tips for Durand Union Station / Michigan Railroad History Museum

If Durand Area Schools close for weather, the station closes too.
Reach the depot via Russell and Ann Arbor streets.
Book an appointment ahead if you want to use the archives.
The depot can be rented for weddings, parties and meetings; call (989) 288-3561.

The depot keeps a lively holiday calendar. For 2026, Halloween Kids Day runs October 23 from 3 to 6 pm, Santa at the Depot is November 28 from 1 to 8:30 pm, the Festival of Trees fills the station from November 28 through December 31, and Santa and Friends visits December 19. These are depot events rather than train rides; for holiday rides, see our list of Christmas train rides in Michigan, and if you would like to arrive by rail, our guide to Amtrak routes with kids can help you plan.

Durand Union Station, Inc. and its volunteers

The nonprofit Durand Union Station, Inc., founded in 1982, preserves and operates the depot and museum, working with the community that saved the building in 1979. Visitors can help by volunteering, donating, renting the depot for an event or shopping for depot merchandise and event tickets online.

Rail history all around Durand

The Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, home of Pere Marquette 1225, is about 11 miles west, and the Flushing Area Museum is about 12 miles away. For a train ride, the Huckleberry Railroad near Flint is about 21 miles off. See our full guide to Michigan train museums.

Every train museum in Michigan

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car — From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

A station that once handled 3,000 passengers a day must have seen every kind of traveler climbing aboard, including a few with very short legs. In our book, Rally can't manage the big train steps on his own, so Dad gives him a boost. That small moment is one of my favorites because every parent knows it. My mom imagined it long before I painted it. You can read how her story became a book on our story page.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

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More for train families

Train museums in Michigan: every museum by town, with a map
Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
Christmas train rides in Michigan
Halloween train rides in Michigan
Every Amtrak route with kids

Work or volunteer at Durand Union Station / Michigan Railroad History Museum?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Durand Union Station: 20 questions visitors ask

What is the Durand Union Station Michigan Railroad History Museum?

It is a railroad history museum housed inside Durand Union Station, a 1905 Chateau Romanesque depot in Durand, Michigan. The museum gallery features rotating exhibits on Michigan railroading, and the building holds a library and archives. The nonprofit Durand Union Station, Inc. runs both the depot and the museum.

Where is Durand Union Station?

Durand Union Station is at 200 S. Railroad St., Durand, MI 48429, in the middle of Michigan near I-69, I-75, I-96 and US-23. The depot is reached by way of Russell and Ann Arbor streets. Call (989) 288-3561 if you need directions.

What are the Durand Union Station museum hours?

As of October 2026, the museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 1 to 5 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 1 to 5 pm. It is closed on Mondays. Office hours run Tuesday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm.

Is Durand Union Station closed in bad weather?

Yes. The station follows a simple weather policy: if Durand Area Schools are closed, Durand Union Station is closed as well. On snowy days, check local school closings or call (989) 288-3561 before you head out.

How much does it cost to visit Durand Union Station?

The museum does not post admission prices on its website. Call (989) 288-3561 during office hours to ask about admission or suggested donations. The nonprofit also welcomes donations online, which help preserve the building and its collections.

When was Durand Union Station built?

Durand Union Station was designed by Spier and Rohms and first built in 1903. About eighteen months later, a fire almost completely destroyed it, and it was rebuilt in 1905. The museum describes the building as 121 years old.

How busy was Durand Union Station in its heyday?

Very busy. In the early 1900s, 42 passenger trains, 22 mail trains and 78 freight trains passed through Durand daily, and the station handled about 3,000 passengers a day. The Grand Trunk Western and Ann Arbor railroads crossed at grade beside it, and it was once the second busiest station in Michigan.

How was Durand Union Station saved?

In 1974, Grand Trunk decided it could no longer justify the cost of maintaining the station, and its destruction seemed close. The community rallied to save it, and in 1979 the City of Durand bought the depot for $1.00. Durand Union Station, Inc. was formed in 1982 to preserve and operate it.

Why is Durand Union Station so famous?

Its unusual Chateau Romanesque architecture has made it one of the most photographed train stations in America. It is also known for its history as a busy junction where two railroads crossed, and for the community effort that saved it from demolition.

Does Amtrak stop at Durand Union Station?

Yes. Durand Union Station serves Amtrak's Blue Water trains. The museum website lists separate Amtrak hours, so check those if you plan to catch a train, and keep in mind the museum and the Amtrak waiting area may keep different schedules.

What exhibits are at the Michigan Railroad History Museum?

The museum gallery features new exhibits several times a year, honoring railroaders and the role Michigan railroads played in lumber, mining, agriculture and industry. It also presents displays from the Ann Arbor Technical and Historical Society and the Grand Trunk Western Historical Society.

Can I do research at Durand Union Station?

Yes. The museum's library and archives hold photographs, ledgers, technical railroad information, union materials and other documents about Michigan railroading. They serve rail enthusiasts, researchers and genealogists, and the archives are open by appointment, so call (989) 288-3561 to arrange a visit.

Is Durand Union Station wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The museum describes Durand Union Station as an ADA compliant facility. It also offers a sensory inclusive audio tour for visitors who prefer a calmer, guided experience. Call (989) 288-3561 if you have specific access questions.

What is the Durand Union Station sensory inclusive audio tour?

The museum offers a sensory inclusive audio tour, listed on its website alongside its DepotCast. It is designed to make the depot more welcoming for visitors with sensory needs. Ask staff when you arrive, or call ahead for details on how to use it.

Is Durand Union Station good for kids?

It can be, especially for kids who like watching real trains, since the station still serves Amtrak and sits beside active tracks. Family events like Halloween Kids Day and Santa at the Depot add extra fun. The ADA compliant building makes strollers easier to manage.

Does Durand Union Station have a Christmas event?

Yes. As of October 2026, Santa at the Depot is set for November 28 from 1 to 8:30 pm, the Festival of Trees runs from November 28 through December 31, and Santa and Friends is planned for December 19 from 3 to 6 pm. Check the events page for details and tickets.

Is there a Halloween event at Durand Union Station?

Yes. As of October 2026, Halloween Kids Day is scheduled at the depot on Friday, October 23, from 3 to 6 pm. Details are on the events page of durandstation.org, and you can call (989) 288-3561 with questions.

Can I rent Durand Union Station for a wedding or party?

Yes. The historic depot can be rented for company parties, business meetings, weddings, receptions and other special occasions, giving guests a setting full of local railroad history. Call (989) 288-3561 to ask about dates and pricing.

How can I volunteer or donate at Durand Union Station?

The nonprofit Durand Union Station, Inc. welcomes volunteers and donations, and its website has a Get Involved section for both. You can also support the depot by shopping its online store for depot merchandise and event tickets, or by renting the building for an event.

What train museums are near Durand Union Station?

The Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso is about 11 miles away, the Flushing Area Museum about 12 miles, and the Huckleberry Railroad near Flint about 21 miles. The Clinton Northern Railway Museum in St. Johns is about 30 miles west.

Keep exploring

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Kelsey Cecil