It would be a shame to lose the Middletown Station.
In a railfan-perfect world it would be an excellent building to house a railroad center for the public. The O&W historical society could have their offices/archives there. There could be a museum showcasing the amazing amount of railroading that occured not only in Orange County, NY, but throughout the entire NY/NJ metropolitan area. You could even have a model rr club and a hobbyshop all in there. It would be a great way to preserve that classic building.
Then reality slaps us in the face. Between the financial hurdles to overcome, the NIMBY's afraid of the railroad geeks that would inundate their neighborhood (don't laugh, I know of a music shop by me that got shot down because the NIMBY's didn't want student musicians walking around in their neighborhood!), and local government red tape, it would be an extremely tough battle.
I think it is one that needs to fought, though. That building is one piece of railroad history that needs to be saved.
Joe P
Railfan as well as a former dreaded musician! (My God, we can't have music students running around this neighborhood!!!)