CENTRAL STATION

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
After looking at several locations, it was decided that Memphis' Historic Central Station would be the ideal location for the the Memphis Railroad and Trolley Museum. Running beneath the station and extending to the former Railway Express office is a large freight tunnel. The MATA offered this tunnel to the newly organized Memphis Railroad and Trolley Museum (MRTM) to house their museum.

The property was acquired by Memphis Area Transit Authority, and a massive renovation project was undertaken. Much of the former waiting room area of the station would become public meeting area, the Illinois Central office space on upper floors was converted to condominiums, and Amtrak retained a smaller presence in the former midway area of the station. The station renovation, which was completed in November 1999, helped to speed the renovation and redevelopment of this once deserted area of downtown Memphis.