I saw something last week I never saw before: an eastbound Amtrak with 2 locomotives, a mail car and several observation cars, as well as coaches, 12 cars total, passing through Churchville, just this side of Rochester, followed less than 10 minutes later by another eastbound Amtrak, on the same track, 1 locomotive with 6 coaches behind it.

If Amtrak’s resources are as stretched as they claim, the time may be right for the major rail carriers hosting Amtrak: BNSF, CSX, NS, UP, etc., and even some smaller rail carriers, to consider investing in restarting passenger service to areas of the country in greatest demand. There may be a profit to be made there. Not to compete with Amtrak, but to supplement Amtrak, and make passenger rail service more accessible to more communities where there is a growing demand.

I’m sure if the lines at either Buffalo station get too long, they may talk about expanding the Dick Rd. facility, but the smarter thing to do would be to bring BCT back on line. It once had, and has the potential to have again, the ability to provide comforts and services not found at the other Buffalo Amtrak stations. And the ability to be a junction point between Amtrak and other carriers, rail, bus, taxicab, etc.. With the joint efforts of the CTRC, local businesses, public and private contributors, and a little help from the government, we can make it work. Meanwhile, at http://www.greatamericanstations.com , maybe someday the area on the site’s homepage, where the big piece is on the Hattiesburg MS station, they will one day host a big piece on the return of Buffalo Central Terminal in Buffalo NY. Let’s put our best foot forward on this one!

BCT will never be just a train station again, it would never survive that way. It has to be a commercial center, a gateway if you will, that would serve as a catalyst to grow the local economy, promote tourism to Buffalo, and revitalize the Broadway- Fillmore district. The beginning of a renaissance for the area.