Founded in 1950, we have been in the old baggage/railroad police building of the Marion Union Station ever since that time. Our members are also members of the Marion Union Station Association, which is in charge of preserving the building and grounds of this historic union station. It is one of the most popular railfan spots in Ohio because of the train frequency and 8 diamonds that closely surround the station. Two east/west mainlines are CSX (ex-Conrail / ex-EL/NYC), two north/south mainlines are Norfolk Southern (ex-NW / ex-PRR) and two more north/south mainlines that are CSX (ex-C&O / ex-HV).

We are open to the public every Sunday from 2 P.M. to 5 P.M., with a few exceptions per year. Our member work sessions are traditionally on Thursday evenings, though work is being done at just about anytime of week. Club meetings are generally the last Sunday of the month. We are also open by appointment for special tours such as schools, historical societies, other railroad clubs, Boy Scouts, etc. Please e-mail us to schedule a group tour.

The Marion Union Station museum is open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. and by appointment. The station museum is sometimes open at other times throughout the week. Call the Marion Union Station Association at (740) 383-3768 for more information or to arrange a group tour. The station features a meeting/banquet room for rent, which is popular for railfan and modeling societies, birthday parties, business meetings, weddings and other group gatherings.

AC Tower was operating the interlocking plant through Marion up until the 1999 Conrail split. At that time, CSX donated the tower to the station and with help from a Trains Magazine grant, the tower was moved across the tracks onto station property. The tower’s interlocking is still fully functioning for demonstration purposes.

Erie Lackawanna caboose C-306 was donated to the station by Conrail and painted by Union Tank Car.

A more detailed history of Marion’s railroads will be available soon!