The Remnants Of This Abandoned Train Station In Buffalo Are Hauntingly Beautiful
By Samantha Gill|Published February 20, 2017
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Samantha Gill
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Samantha Jo is a freelance copywriter, proofreader, and social media manager. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys drinking coffee, crafting, camping, blogging at kinandkindling.com, and sipping only the finest of boxed wines – not necessarily in that order.
In its prime, hundreds of travelers passed through Buffalo’s Central Terminal each day on the New York Central Railroad. What was once a booming part of Buffalo’s travel system is now a hauntingly beautiful abandoned train station, frequented by photographers and tour groups looking for a glimpse into the city’s past.
The Central Terminal was active from 1929 until 1979 and belonged to the New York Central Railroad.
The main concourse is 17 stories tall and once housed several rental spaces, a restaurant, lunch room, coffee shop, telegraph office, and soda fountain.
The tracks and high-rise platforms still tower above the ground, though the train concourse bridge was demolished in 1982 to make room for taller freight cars to pass through the station.
During this time of neglect, the most valuable items from the terminal were pawned by the owners, and arson and harsh weather continued to damage the facilities.
The terminal was bought in 1997 by the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation for $1 (plus back taxes). Several improvements have since been made to the space, including general repairs and cosmetic restoration of the Union News stands, ticket areas, and the main entrance.
The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation also located and restored the original clock, which was returned to the main concourse and re-lit in 2005.
Today, Buffalo's Central Terminal holds tours and is rumored to be an option for Buffalo's future Amtrak Station. Who knows – we might just see this hauntingly beautiful station come chugging back to life!
