A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
After Amtrak departed the East Side landmark, the art deco structure fell into disrepair, victimized by an inattentive city administration, poor private ownership, vandalism and the march of time. Today, the enormous complex – which includes a concourse, tower building and baggage building – has urgent repair needs. The cost of the repairs is estimated from tens of millions of dollars to upward of $100 million. Through photos by The News' Mark Mulville, see the parts of the terminal that aren't often on view for the public.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
The main concourse at the Central Terminal, Buffalo's train station from 1929 to 1979.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
The waiting area in the main concourse - which once had rows of wooden benches - is now a jumble of debris.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Rusted pipes in the train concourse building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
An old safe in the tower building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A train passes behind the Central Terminal's baggage building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
The train control room in the tower building at the Central Terminal.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Some buttons in the train control room.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A paper containing information about the train schedule resides in the former train control room.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
The former train control room in the tower building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
The Canadian Customs office in the baggage claim area.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Broken glass in the baggage claim area.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
The ceiling of the waiting area in the Central Terminal.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A door on the fifth floor in the Central Terminal's tower building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A bathroom/shower area for cooks and stewards in a former restaurant on the concourse.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Fading decorative paint abounds in the main concourse.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
An old clock remains in the space that housed a once-popular restaurant in the Central Terminal.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
The former restaurant in the main concourse once had long winding counters.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A decorative element in the floor of the former restaurant on the main concourse.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
An area for cooks and stewards in the tower building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
The clock in the Central Terminal's grand concourse.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
An old clock in the former concourse restaurant.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Exterior clock at the Central Terminal in Buffalo.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A hallway on the mezzanine level.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A bathroom in a hallway on the mezzanine level.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
The main concourse at the Central Terminal.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A hallway on the mezzanine level.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Old wires in the hallway on the mezzanine level.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Office doors on the mezzanine level at the Central Terminal.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A hallway on the mezzanine level.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A rusted light fixture on the mezzanine level.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
The fourth floor at the Central Terminal.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
The fifth-floor area for cooks and stewards at the Central Terminal.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Decor above a door in the main concourse.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Decor on the exterior of the Central Terminal.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Windows in the baggage building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Exterior of the Central Terminal.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Signs inside the main concourse were enhanced for the filming of a recent movie.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Inside the tower building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Hand railing for stairs.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A sign in the train concourse.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A plant grows in a window of the train concourse.
Baggage Building view
Looking toward the Central Terminal tower from the baggage building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Looking toward the Central Terminal tower from the baggage building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Trash dumped in the train concourse.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A light fixture in the train concourse building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A floor in the baggage building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
The passenger platforms.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A floor in the baggage building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A view from the baggage building in the Central Terminal.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Inside the baggage building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Inside the tower building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Old doorway in the baggage building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A train passes by the Central Terminal.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A view of St. Stanislaus Church and the city skyline from the tower building.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Exterior of the Central Terminal.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
A view of the main concourse.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Signage recalls another time in the main concourse.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
The Red Caps room in the main concourse. Red Caps were workers who helped travelers with their baggage and other assistance.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
The clock in the main concourse, repaired by volunteers of the Central Terminal Restoration Corp.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Entering the main concourse.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
The main concourse at the Central Terminal.
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
The main concourse at the Central Terminal. All aboard!
A Closer Look: The Central Terminal
Exterior of the Central Terminal, on the National Register of Historic Places.
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