A small shelter at Rensselaer was built in 1981 and maintained by the local Lions Club.[1][4] The former Monon Railroad station was demolished in 1981, and preceding this station was a two-story wooden depot built in 1900. Some of the brick pavement and red tile flooring from the second station is still visible today.[5]
In 2007, the shelter was renovated. Vandalized windows were replaced, and the exterior was repainted. The station was vandalized again in 2014.[6][7]
A new accessible concrete platform was constructed with funds from the 2009 stimulus bill. The platform, which cost around $500,000, was dedicated on April 20, 2011.[5] The 1979-built shelter was later demolished and replaced with a one-story brick building, funded by Amtrak, which opened on August 21, 2013.[4]
In December 2017, the station's concrete platform suffered damage in a 16-car derailment, triggered by a wheel detachment from a train car.[8] The damage was not repaired until Summer 2024, when new LED lighting was installed and accessibility features were improved.[9]
Services
The station interior features benches, a small heater, and electrical outlets. The building is unstaffed and does not feature restrooms, ticketing, baggage services, or vending. A small parking area exists to the west of the station.[5] As of FY 2023, Rensselaer is the fifth least-used Amtrak station in the network.[10]
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