Ottumwa, IA (OTM)
Flanking the Des Moines River, the community takes its name from a Sauk term meaning "land of the rippling waters." The mid-century modern depot was dedicated by the CB&Q Railroad in 1951.
 
                        
                            
                            210 West Main Street
Ottumwa, IA 52501                        
Annual Station Ridership (FY 2024): 8,719
- Facility Ownership: Wapello County Historical Society, Inc.
- Parking Lot Ownership: Wapello County Historical Society, Inc.
- Platform Ownership: BNSF Railway
- Track Ownership: BNSF Railway
Marty Sandoval
Regional Contact
governmentaffairschi@amtrak.com
For information about Amtrak fares and schedules, please visit Amtrak.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).
The original Ottumwa depot was built in 1889 by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad (CB&Q). The railroad had this structure razed and rebuilt in 1950. Faced in limestone, the present depot was erected by the Benson Construction Company of Chicago at an approximate cost of half a million dollars. It was designed to include passenger functions as well as railroad division offices. CB&Q President Harry C. Murphy attended the building’s dedication ceremony on May 26, 1951, noting that the depot represented faith in the future of the railroad and community.
From 1988 until 2020, the building primarily housed the Wapello County Historical Museum, as well as a waiting room for Amtrak customers.
Ottumwa was first settled in 1843, and its name is derived from a Sauk term meaning “land of the rippling waters.” The community owes its existence to the Des Moines River which flows through town; three bridges span the river, and Ottumwa is known as the “City of Bridges.”
Station Building (with waiting room)
Features
- ATM not available
- No elevator
- No payphones
- No Quik-Trak kiosks
- Restrooms
- Ticket sales office
- Unaccompanied child travel not allowed
- Vending machines
- No WiFi
- Arrive at least 45 minutes prior to departure if you're checking baggage or need ticketing/passenger assistance
- Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure if you're not checking baggage or don't need assistance
Baggage
- Amtrak Express shipping not available
- Checked baggage service available
- No checked baggage storage
- Bike boxes not available
- Baggage carts available
- Ski bags not available
- No bag storage
- Shipping boxes not available
- Baggage assistance provided by Station Staff (M - F, Only)
Parking
- Same-day parking is available for free
- Overnight parking is available for free
Accessibility
- No payphones
- Accessible platform
- Accessible restrooms
- Accessible ticket office
- Accessible waiting room
- Accessible water fountain
- Same-day, accessible parking is available; fees may apply
- Overnight, accessible parking is available for free
- No high platform
- Wheelchair available
- Wheelchair lift available
Hours
Station Waiting Room Hours
| Mon | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Tue | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Wed | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Thu | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Fri | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Sat | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Sun | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
Ticket Office Hours
| Mon | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Tue | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Wed | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Thu | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Fri | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Sat | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Sun | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
Passenger Assistance Hours
| Mon | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Tue | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Wed | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Thu | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Fri | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Sat | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Sun | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
Checked Baggage Service
| Mon | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Tue | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Wed | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Thu | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Fri | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Sat | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
| Sun | 08:30 am - 11:30 am 05:30 pm - 08:30 pm | 
 
 
					
 Amtrak established the Great American Stations Project in 2006 to educate communities on the benefits of redeveloping train stations, offer tools to community leaders to preserve their stations, and provide the appropriate Amtrak resources.
Amtrak established the Great American Stations Project in 2006 to educate communities on the benefits of redeveloping train stations, offer tools to community leaders to preserve their stations, and provide the appropriate Amtrak resources. Amtrak is seizing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform rail and Retrain Travel. By modernizing, enhancing and expanding trains, stations and infrastructure, Amtrak is meeting the rising demand for train travel. Amtrak offers unforgettable experiences to more than 500 destinations across 46 states and parts of Canada. Learn more at
Amtrak is seizing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform rail and Retrain Travel. By modernizing, enhancing and expanding trains, stations and infrastructure, Amtrak is meeting the rising demand for train travel. Amtrak offers unforgettable experiences to more than 500 destinations across 46 states and parts of Canada. Learn more at