Union officials and volunteers gathered at Grant Station Park to cut the ribbon on a new train station and pavilion, giving the Missouri Live Steamers a permanent depot for the miniature trains that carry riders through the park. Joe Schroeder cut the ribbon, and Steven Slattery drove the first train to leave from the new station, carrying city leaders and other guests down the rails.
The pavilion, which sits at Grant Station Park in Union, was built to shelter train passengers while also serving as a rentable venue for birthday parties and community gatherings, according to emissourian.com. The construction was funded in partnership with the Union Lions Club, and Schroeder helped raise money for the club to pay for the project, per the same account. Union Mayor Bob Schmuke addressed attendees at the ribbon cutting, and Joel Pittenger, president of the Missouri Live Steamers, showed the crowd a map of the train tracks laid out across the park.
A Nonprofit Built on Volunteer Labor
The Missouri Live Steamers is a nonprofit educational organization incorporated in November 1968 to preserve steam railroad history, operating rideable 1/8-scale model trains built for 7.5-inch and 4.75-inch gauge tracks, according to the Missouri Live Steamers. The group signed an operating lease agreement with the City of Union Parks and Recreation Department in March 2022 to construct and run the model railroad at Grant Station Park using entirely donated funds and volunteer labor, without spending public tax dollars, the organization notes. The Union Board of Aldermen officially designated the property as Grant Station Park during its February 13, 2023 meeting, formally establishing the site as home to the layout.
Riders at the ribbon cutting included Alex Pepper, who held a young rider named Paisley during a Missouri Live Steamers ride through the park, while volunteer Von Richards worked on his H10 Consolidation steam engine as onlookers waited in line for their turns aboard the trains.
Two Seasons of Growth Toward a Longer Loop
The Missouri Live Steamers launched their inaugural public season at Grant Station Park in April 2025, after spending two years laying the initial track, according to The Missourian. The organization kicked off its second operating season in April 2026 by debuting an additional loop of track, part of an expansion toward an ultimate planned layout of approximately 2,000 feet of rail, the outlet reports.
In May 2026, the Union Parks, Buildings, Development and Public Service Commission recommended approving an additional storage container at the park after confirming the site was acceptable within a designated flood zone, The Missourian reported separately, noting the group had recently received donations of new steam engines and cars.
Free Rides Without Police Escorts
The 2026 operating schedule for the Missouri Live Steamers at Grant Station Park consists of seven free public run days on select Saturdays from April 11 through October 10, with rides running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. without tickets or reservations required, according to the City of Union. When city officials drafted a special event ordinance in June 2025 establishing street closure fees and police coverage costs, they clarified that Live Steamers run days would not require dedicated police officers despite closing Grant Street, The Missourian reported, since organizers temporarily close the street using flashing railroad signals during runs.
Beyond the weekend public runs, the Missouri Live Steamers also host local educational groups at Grant Station Park, including field trips for Union R-XI School District elementary students, with volunteers offering hands-on steam technology demonstrations, according to the organization.
