The O scale Union Station from Menards (No. 2759531) is another excellent offering from the home improvement chain, providing a readily made structure that requires minimal fuss for setup.
Out of the box, with hardly any assembly needed, the structure measures 13-1/16” wide, 7-7/8″ deep, and 8-1/4″ tall. Classic Toy Trains Editor Rene Schweitzer and I conducted clearance tests using straight Lionel Fastrack with its attached roadbed. We’re confident that most tall cars, including scaled autoracks, should pass through easily. However, we highly recommend verifying the 6-1/4″ height clearance with your tallest models before purchasing.
Menards’ Union Station functions more as a platform than a traditional station. Despite this, you still get great value with features like detailed roof trusses, clear signage, platforms on both sides, and a transparent skylight with a red-painted roof running down the middle. One of the platforms has six figures, a cart of luggage, and Jack the German shepherd, while the other is empty, though perfect for adding your own figures.
An LED strip with 15 lights runs along the inside of the roof, requiring a Menard’s 4.5-volt power supply (279-4061/4361, 4060/4362, or 4050). A convenient pigtail for power is located on the side of the platform and under the structure. The illumination from the LEDs is well-balanced, bringing life to the station without being overly bright and blinding you.
Setting up this structure on your layout is remarkably easy. First, its sturdy construction ensures it won’t crumble during use. Second, its compatibility with any track is straightforward: simply remove a few sections, place the structure, adjust its position, and reconnect the track on top of the plastic base. We recommend leaving plenty of straight track on each end of the station to allow trains sufficient room to straighten out from curves and avoid hitting the platform.
The “Union Station” name is synonymous with cathedral-style terminals, serving multiple passenger trains at a single time. While you won’t get that with Menards’ Union Station, you’ll still get a product that is of great quality, affordable, and easy to set up on your layout faster than you can call out “All aboard!”
Menards Union Station (No. 2759531)
Features: Six figures, luggage, and Jack the German shepherd in a brightly lit platform with over 15 LED lights.
MSRP: $69.99
Website: menards.com/trains
