Thousands of people attended the open house for Union Station on June 25. Mayor Domenic Sarno proclaimed the renovated 1926 train station as “The House that Neal Built,” alluding to the decades-long efforts of Congressman Richard Neal to seeking funding and completing the re-purposing of the train station that was closed in 1973.

The attendees toured the station’s concourse from its main entrance on Frank. B. Murray Street and then the pedestrian tunnel under the railroad tracks to the entrance and renovated lobby on Lyman Street.

On permanent exhibit was one of the original baggage carts found at the terminal, as well as one of the barber chairs that was used there. Historic murals tell the city’s train and transportation history.

The Amherst Railroad Society, the U.S. Post Office, Westfield Bank, the Springfield Museums and other businesses and organizations had tables and displays at the event.

The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority is now using the station as its hub and Peter Pan Bus Lines is expected to move its operations to the terminal shortly. Amtrak will continue using its terminal on the track above while work on the tracks is being completed.

The city’s Chief Development Officer, Kevin Kennedy, said that next May eight to 10 commuter trains will be making trips daily to Union Station, linking Springfield with Hartford and New Haven, CT.