Brattleboro is due to get a new Amtrak station, and that will provide a great opportunity for the town.
The original 1849 train station has survived and is owned by the town (the Archery building). In the 30-plus years the building served as the town's station, it witnessed a lot of history. From it, many of Vermont's sons left to fight in the Civil War, and a large number of war wounded returned to a large hospital in town.
The old building was moved on rollers nearer the river when the Victorian station was built in 1881 and it has had a varied career since then.
It could easily be moved back to the tracks, raised to the required high-platform level as required for modern Amtrak use, and resume the purpose for which it was originally built.
This would not only avoid demolition of an historic structure dating to the beginnings of Brattleboro's railroad history, but it would combine the historic structure with a modern need and create a new chapter in Brattleboro's long railroad history.
One of the often-difficult parts of historic preservation is finding a compatible modern use, but here a railroad station would be reused as a railroad station. It is understood that the building has been much altered over the years and is not in the best of shape, but that actually can be an advantage because needed modifications can be done without destroying historic fabric. There may be preservation grants available along with great PR possibilities.
For an example of what can be done, take a look at Vergennes. The old, derelict station there was relocated north a few hundred yards and restored to its former glory as a visitor's center and passenger station for when Amtrak service begins to Burlington.
North Bennington and Waterbury are other examples and even in South Londonderry, where the railroad is long gone, the restored station is a community center.
Brattleboro has an opportunity and should take it. If the old building is demolished, it is gone forever.