The station served passenger and freight trains of the Chicago and North Western Railway (C&NW).

[3] Due to the proximity of the Milwaukee Road, the C&NW originally wanted to construct a union station in the area.

[4] After the opening of a new Milwaukee Road depot in West Madison, the C&NW made plans for a new larger station, costing $500,000.

Leaders in the government of Madison were in support of the plan, but nearby business owners and residents objected.

[7] The Victory and the Viking, two Chicago-Minneapolis trains, made the trip from Chicago to Madison in a direct line, through Janesville.

The Twin Cities 400 from Chicago–Minneapolis used the faster line (compared to the Victory or Viking) through Milwaukee, bypassing Madison to the north, with a connection to the Minnesota 400 at Wyeville.

[4] Intercity passenger trains in the United States declined after World War II, with fierce competition from the automobile and airplanes.

[15] MGE moved their main offices to the complex in 1983, and renovated the interior, while keeping the exterior facade of the passenger station.

[7] However, the geography of Madison still required trains from Milwaukee to perform a backup move in order to access the northern line to Minneapolis.