Youngstown station (New York Central Railroad)

Youngstown station

Company type	Railway station
Industry	Transportation
Founded	November 11, 1926 (1926-11-11)
Fate	Demolished in the 1970s
Headquarters	Youngstown , United States
Products	Passenger and freight railway services

Youngstown station served as a railway facility for both the New York Central and Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad (P&LE) in Youngstown, Ohio. It commenced operations on November 11, 1926, accommodating passenger and freight services alongside offices for the New York Central's Franklin Division.

The formal dedication took place on November 10, 1926, when G.H. Ingalls, the railroad’s Vice President of Traffic, officially handed over the station to Youngstown’s mayor, Charles F. Scheible. Among the speakers at the ceremony were James Anson Campbell, President of Youngstown Sheet and Tube, John Tod, Director of the Mahoning Coal Railroad, and other prominent local figures. The architectural design was created by Fellheimer and Wagner from New York City, with construction costs totaling $1.5 million.

Situated roughly one mile north of a key rail intersection at Center Street—where five Class 1 railroads converged (Erie, P&LE, Pennsylvania, Baltimore and Ohio, and New York Central)—the station contended with operational difficulties caused by significant traffic congestion. Train movements at this junction were coordinated by a B&O switchtender using flags and lanterns. A total of sixteen daily passenger trains operated by PRR, P&LE, NYC, and B&O passed through this controlled crossing, complicating access to the New York Central station.

Over time, Youngstown station shared passenger operations with the nearby Erie Terminal, located approximately 1.5 miles away on the Erie Main Line. For instance, in 1956 New York Central managed four daily P&LE trains while Erie Terminal handled ten. Both directions of the Empire Express and the Pittsburgh-Buffalo Express made stops at Youngstown station.

Among its notable visitors was 1952 Democratic presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson, who arrived there during his campaign tour.

The station was ultimately demolished during the 1970s.

Station design and layout

The main entrance to the station was positioned on Wilson Avenue, with platforms and tracks situated two stories below street level. Access to these platforms was provided by two stairways descending from the entrance. Freight operations utilized a separate access road leading down to track level. The terminal building itself was rectangular, measuring 120 by 50 feet, and rose three stories tall.

At the front façade, three expansive arched windows allowed natural light into the building. Inside the concourse were ticket counters, a waiting area, lunchroom, newsstand, barber shop, baggage handling facilities, restrooms, and passageways connecting to track crossovers. The second floor housed offices for key personnel including the Divisional Superintendent, wire chief, dispatcher, and telephone exchange staff.

Rooms designated for baggage handling, mail sorting, and express shipments were located at track level beneath the main concourse.