New York Terminal Service Plant

When Pennsylvania Station was demolished in 1964, a masterpiece was forever lost.  But a relatively unknown piece survives today, and one that would make a unique addition to a big city layout.

The Building

Built in 1908, the Terminal Service Plant was designed to slightly mimic the Roman style of architecture used on Pennsylvania Station.  The most obvious feature that they did share was the Stony Creek Pink Limestone that both were clad in.  It was also built two years before the station was opened.  It’s main task was to supply electricity for the hundreds of trains that flowed into New York City, but also had many other tasks as well.  It generated all of the compressed air for switches and signals, provided heat, light,  refrigeration, and the hydraulics for the elevators.

As of 1989 and under ownership of Amtrak, the only operation still happening within the walls was compressed air for switches.  A portion of the building is closed off because of asbestos, and the rest sits mostly unused and vacant.  It has been determined as eligible for landmark status by the city of New York, but is still in flux.

All images taken from the Library of Congress and are public domain.
Information gathered from the New York Times,
August 20, 1989, section 10, page 4 of the New York edition.

• Using the Library of Congress for Reference (1)
• Reading News Building (7)
• Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (0)
• Philadelphia’s 30th Steet Station (2)
• Pennsylvania Railroad, “Wheels of Steel” (0)

About the Author

Chris Brimley — Co-founder of N scale Limited, Chris was bitten by the model railroading bug when he was 14, originally working with HO scale he soon discovered the limitless possibilities of N scale. It was only a few years ago when Chris decided that it was time to break free of the kit bubble and begin scratch building structures. The few structures Chris has built have gone on to acquire multiple Best of Show awards in NMRA and non-NMRA judged shows. He is also a member of the budding Junction City N-scalers modular club based out of Ogden, UT that will strive for the best of what N-scale modelers have to offer.