I also see no reason why this example couldn't be an effective B/W image.
It requires the subtle colors in the overhead windows, and on the walls with rust and paint, and the moss on wood (see attached cropped foreground detail), to make it a bit interesting. It misses a strong subject, with light and powerful shadows that sculpt it. It was very dark inside and the windows were only letting diffuse light in, so there is hardly any directional light present, as can be seen in the first shot.
For a successful B&W conversion, it also helps to have color differences that can be used in the conversion process to create color channel separation/contrast where light/shadow contrast is missing.
That's also why I'm a bit surprised by the OP, which sort of suggests that a poor color image can become a good B&W image. In my book, an image is made with a certain artistic intent in mind. Changing it to something different can only deviate from that original intent.
Cheers,
Bart