Friends of Tampa Union Station

06/05/2026

History moment: Here's a great looking photo taken on June 26, 1967, showing Seaboard Air Line and Atlantic Coast Line passenger trains at Tampa Union Station-- just 4 days before the merger of the two railroads into the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad.

Before that merger, this was the typical setup at Tampa Union Station, with Atlantic Coast Line trains using the lower numbered tracks and the Seaboard trains using the higher numbered tracks at the station.

For those really into the details, Seaboard E8 diesel locomotive 3054 on the train at left was constructed in 1950 by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors. The other engine, Atlantic Coast Line E7 model 536, was constructed in 1946 by the same builder. Locomotive 3054, in fact, continued to serve into the Amtrak era once it took over passenger trains in 1971.

Photographer unknown. Friends of Tampa Union Station collection.

05/29/2026

Last week, Tampa Union Station became a member of the inaugural class of the Century Club!

The Century Club was created by the Tampabay Community Design Center to recognize Tampa's 100+ year old buildings and homes. The history and stories behind these loved and preserved places is what makes Tampa so unique.

Tampa's active train station in Downtown Tampa is currently undergoing a $4M renovation, and we can't wait to display the Century Club recognition once the renovation is completed.

And guess what? You can still take the train from Tampa while the renovation is underway! There's a nice air-conditioned temporary space for Amtrak passengers located just footsteps from the station.

Check out more photos from the Century Club Celebration here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17voTr2Ae7/

Cheers!

05/16/2026

Scaffolding up means work in progress! Work to the exterior of Tampa Union Station during its restoration includes exterior cleaning, masonry repairs, and window rehabilitation.

Once done, the water leaks which have plagued the building for so long will be a thing of the past.

The interior, of course, will also get a glow up, with plaster repairs, restroom renovations, and new paint.

Jerel McCants Architecture is leading this project with the Collage Companies serving as the general contractor. The Downtown Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency and the State of Florida are major funders of the restoration.

And all of it is possible because of the donors to and volunteers of Friends of Tampa Union Station. Thanks for your support!



Photos: Robert Modys.

05/09/2026

Happy National Train Day, everyone! Here are a few glimpses from Tampa Union Station's past. We look forward to seeing you at the station for Tampa Train Day next year, once the station's restoration is complete!

04/26/2026

July 31, 1955. Tampa Union Station Stationmaster Claude Neyman retires after 30 years of service at the station. He was presented with gifts of a TV set, ci**rs (of course!), and a new easy chair by co-workers on his retirement, which happened to coincide with his 70th birthday.

Neyman's replacement as stationmaster was H.B. Goodwin, who came to Tampa from Portsmouth, Virginia, where he was the stationmaster of the Seaboard Railroad station there.



Photo from Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library.

04/16/2026

New article out featuring Tampa Union Station’s renovation!

The Business Observer joined a recent behind-the-scenes tour of Tampa’s historic train station in Downtown Tampa, led by volunteer Friends Board Members Robert Modys and Brandie Miklus.

Thank you, Anastasia Dawson, for joining us! And thank you to the Tampabay Community Design Center for organizing the tour!

The update, expected to be completed sometime this fall, will be the first major renovation to the train station since the 1990s.

04/03/2026

Friends of Tampa Union Station Board Members Robert Modys and Brandie Miklus teamed up with The Collage Companies, Jerel McCants Architecture, and the City of Tampa for two behind-the-scenes tours of Tampa Union Station recently - one was with Leadership Tampa (as part of their Transportation Day) and the other with the Tampabay Community Design Center (aka TCDC).

We talked about the station’s history, its role today as Florida’s busiest Amtrak station for long-distance service, and the exciting $4M Tampa CRA-funded renovation underway!

One of the coolest things about Union Station? It’s still serving its original purpose over 100 years later - and this work ensures it’ll be around for generations to come. 🚂 🚂

Check out photos from the tours, many taken by another Board Member, Jeff Houck!

03/31/2026

Going to Miami or the east coast of Florida? The Tampa Bay Times rediscovers why the train is a great option!

Want driving to take a back seat next time you visit Miami? Traveling via Amtrak makes it possible.

03/22/2026

March 25-- this Wednesday at 5 PM-- join Friends of Tampa Union Station and the Tampa Bay Community Design Center for a spring hard hat tour that offers an insider's look at the Tampa Union Station renovation!

Tampa Union Station Things are changing at Tampa Union Station. The city’s 113-year-old landmark is in line for a facelift, and staging areas for

03/16/2026

Tampa Union Station makes like a giant circus tent! As part of the restoration of the historic station, the entire building is currently being tented to alleviate termites.

While this is taking place, Amtrak passengers are using a temporary waiting room located on the property. The restoration will be completed early in 2027.