NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -- It was the final leg in the nearly four decade journey of Niagara Falls' Amtrak station on Willard Avenue.
"I'm excited, I was hoping to have the first train out of the new station, though," Ann Landers said.
Landers and Nancy Martin were the last two passengers of the final locomotive and they weren't sad to say goodbye.
"You have such a great visiting spot up here so I think it's well suited to the area," Landers said.
Martin on the other hand is looking forward to a place that's more handicap accessible.
"I'm so glad that they're changing it, because that'll make it easier,” Martin said. “Not just for me, but for other handicapped people as well."
Taxi cab driver Gill Balwinder said he's looking forward to dropping off customers at a much more welcoming facility.
"People are surprised that this is the Amtrak station, especially sometimes you leave the people here in the morning and they say 'you're leaving us here?'" Balwinder said.
As the 248 train heads off, it's onto a future that's back on the right track. With the arrival of train 64 from Toronto also comes the first new rail station in the state since 2002.
It's a major upgrade for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, too.
"This is up to the standards that CBD currently has for a facility,” said Aaron Bowker, Chief Customs and Border Protection Officer. “So, not only is it secured, but processing wise it’s more efficient."
The 40,000 square foot, $43 million facility will no doubt change the way travelers are welcomed into the U.S and Niagara Falls. Locals who came out to see the inaugural trip said it's about time.
"All good things you have to have patience for,” Niagara Falls resident Cynthia Melcher said. “And like I said our family has been part of the north revitalization and this is a dream come true."
Four trains will make their way through the station Tuesday. Ridership is about 30,000 people a year. The hope is this facility will boost that number.