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.