Roundhouse Bids Sought
The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) recently announced the opening of the bid process for contractors to undertake the building of a 16,000 square-foot, six-stall roundhouse at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Bids will be accepted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of General Services (DGS).
Erdy McHenry Architecture of Philadelphia designed the roundhouse-style exhibit building. The PHMC, the DGS and the Strasburg Township Planning Commission judged the concepts to be in compliance with stated guidelines.
A major source of inspiration for the new structure was the historic design created in the late 1920s for the Reading Company roundhouse that once stood in Cressona, Pennsylvania. The classic fan-shaped layout also proved to be the best solution to the space constraints in the Museum’s outdoor yard. The roundhouse design will utilize brick, steel and glass, as well as a clerestory-style roof, which maximizes the use of natural lighting. “The design both complements the historical architecture of neighboring Strasburg and relates to the more modern architectural styles already employed here at the Museum,” states Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania director Patrick Morrison.
“The main purpose of the roundhouse building is to protect and exhibit six historic Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotives, which have resided outdoors and experienced deterioration due to exposure to the elements.” Morrison adds, “This new climate-controlled space will showcase these historic steam locomotives in the best possible setting. When the time comes and as resources permit, we will be able to remove each one into the Museum’s restoration shop for more extensive preservation work.”
One of the six locomotives, Pennsylvania Railroad E6s Atlantic No. 460, has undergone a comprehensive cosmetic restoration, with significant funds raised by the non-profit Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, and is currently on display inside the Museum’s Rolling Stock Hall. A Ready For The Roundhouse fundraising campaign, spearheaded by the Friends, has already raised more than $250,000 to media blast, paint, stabilize and prepare the B6sb No. 1670, H10s No. 7688, L1s No. 520, K4s No. 3750 and M1b No. 6755 for exhibit in the roundhouse.
Stabilization work has already been completed on the B6sb No. 1670 and the H10s No. 7688, and has begun on the L1s No. 520. Work on the K4s No. 3750 and the M1b No. 6755 will follow. The full cosmetic restoration of the B6sb No. 1670 is making good progress toward its eventual completion. Stabilization and preservation efforts will continue unabated during the roundhouse construction period, as well as after the structure is complete.
A hard surface, ADA-accessible pathway leading from the Museum will allow visitors to easily access the roundhouse. The interior layout of the facility will provide a safe and adequate space for visitors to view and photograph the exhibits. Additionally, it will feature a climate-controlled environment to aid in visitor comfort and in the long-term preservation of the historic steam locomotives.
During the construction of the roundhouse, the Museum’s 1928 Reading Company turntable will be completely refurbished and updated to ensure its safe and dependable operation for years to come. The tracks surrounding the turntable will be rebuilt and enhanced safety fencing will be added around the turntable pit.
“The roundhouse design represents a unique approach to displaying and preserving our collections,” says Morrison. “It is, first and foremost, an exhibit building, and it needs to function in that way for the Museum. It is an innovative solution to the challenge of saving more of our historic artifacts for posterity. We have used the project’s long delay to our advantage in getting the new roundhouse building we both need and want. A lot of hard work has gone into this design, and we are proud of the tremendous efforts of everyone involved. Our members, volunteers, visitors, donors, partners and staff all look forward to the addition of the roundhouse to enhance the experience and heritage of railroading for today’s and future generations.”
