The old train station that at one time was the center of travel life in all Western New York. I remember as a small boy coming to this station with my parents to take a train to South Bend Indiana. One of my first trips back to college after Thanksgiving vacation (1966) departed from this station. That is my last recollection of this complex as an active functioning facility. It was a wonderful building. Today, Saturday, Nov 5, 2005, Ben and I couldn't get into the terminal building itself, but drove around back and discovered the old freight terminal portion of Central Station. We spent at least an hour walking around the abandoned freight terminal and taking photographs. A great morning.

For more information on the history of the Buffalo Central Terminal please go to http://central.terminal.railfan.net/history.html

The below paragraph was taken from the historical site mentioned above and is property of railfan.net

Construction of the 17 floor combination office and terminal building was begun in 1927 and completed in 1929. The Grand Opening of the facility on Saturday, June 22, 1929 was highlighted by a noontime Chamber of Commerce luncheon for 2,200 people, the largest event of this type held in Buffalo up to this point in time. Band music, speeches, flags and bunting completed this gala celebration. At 2:00pm the crowds hurried down to the platforms to watch the departure of the 2:10 eastbound Empire State Express. Approximately 200 daily trains began using Central Terminal that midnight.

There are more recent images here than the ones I took on my visit here with Ben. Today, October 12, 2008 I've added shots taken from the rear of the terminal and the passanger platforms. Also, I peeked around in the old abandoned building just west of the platforms.

Yesterday, December 29, 2008 I visited the old frieght terminal once again and you will see those shots included in this gallery.