the present status of Buffalo Union Terminal

Whenever one rides on an Amtrak train in Western New York, they probably will observe a large complex on the northern side of the tracks east of downtown Buffalo.  This complex and tower is the remains of Buffalo Union Terminal.  It was completed in June of 1929, and served its last passenger train in October 1979.  
When the terminal was built, the economy was robust, jobs were abundant, and the thought was that the city center would move eastward as it expanded.  June 1929 was the time of the great stock market crash, which led the United States into the Great Depression.  Needless to say, during that ten year period progress and expansion of the city ceased.
The opulence of the structure was impressive, and the structure was able to serve 10,000 passengers a day with 200 trains.  Buffalo Union Terminal along with the Post Office and the Railway Express Agency employed 1500, and the complex covered 70 acres.
After World War II, the construction of the Interstate Highways and the growing popularity of airlines cut deeply into the railroad’s passenger traffic. The number of passenger trains decreased dramatically, Amtrak was created, and the last train to serve the terminal was on October 28, 1979.
The terminal was abandoned, and suffered the effects of weather, disuse and graffiti.  Some work was done to secure the tower and main parts of the buildings, and stories arise occasionally about renovations for other uses.
Richard H. Jordan created and produced an excellent video about the current state of Buffalo Union Terminal.  I hope you will find it informative and enjoyable.  The link is below.  Tom Gallagher

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