The Railway Cafe stands in the heart of the city to remind us of a beautiful time when one could board a passenger train right here in Blaine.
The Great Northern Depot was an operating train station in Blaine that was built in 1908. The first train came through on March 15, 1909. The Depot allowed many American and Canadian citizens to have quick and easy access to immigration assistance and brokerage firms; these handy services were offered right inside the Depot station.
On the station’s 100th year anniversary, a few community groups combined to form the Blaine Coalition for Historic Preservation. In March 2009, some of them assembled for a photo to celebrate the station’s 100 years and to say “All Aboard” to save the station.
The efforts to save the train station have been many; including a petition to Amtrak to restore the passenger track. However, there seems to be no immediate plans for this in sight.
The Depot station building still stands in its original location and the 1925 railroad car, now Railway Cafe, stands in the heart of the city to remind us of the past and inspire us to hope for a time when we can board a passenger train right here in Blaine.
A Final Farewell to Blaine’s Historic Train Station
On July 13, 2026, Blaine said farewell to one of its most recognizable historic landmarks—the Great Northern Depot, also known as the Blaine Train Station. Built in 1908, the station welcomed its first train on March 15, 1909, and for more than a century stood as a witness to the growth and changing rhythms of our seaside community. Generations of residents and travelers passed through or alongside this familiar building, making it part of Blaine’s shared story. With demolition now over, we look back with gratitude on the depot’s role in connecting people and shaping local history. Its legacy will remain through photographs, memories, and the stories preserved by those who knew it.
