The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS) recently announced that eciConstruction of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania will be the general contractor for the construction of a roundhouse exhibit building at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the roundhouse is scheduled to take place at the Museum on Tuesday, July 29 at 11:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend. Regular Museum adult admission rates apply, with ages 11 and under admitted free of charge. Please be advised that seating in the outdoor yard will be limited and that care should be taken with walking.
Construction of the 16,000 square-foot, six-stall exhibit structure is slated to begin in earnest by the end of July and is anticipated to be completed by late 2026/early 2027. The Museum’s outdoor yard will be closed during the duration of construction to ensure visitor safety. Erdy McHenry Architecture of Philadelphia designed the roundhouse-style exhibit building. The PHMC, the DGS and the Strasburg Township Planning Commission judged the design concepts to be in compliance with stated guidelines
A classic fan-shaped layout 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.
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 six Pennsylvania Railroad historic steam locomotives, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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.
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, 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 $300,000 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 B6bs 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.
-via Press Release
