STRASBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) and the Department of General Services (DGS) officially launched construction Tuesday on a new $13.5 million roundhouse at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, a key development aimed at preserving the state’s iconic rail history.
The 16,000-square-foot facility will house six historic steam locomotives from the Pennsylvania Railroad, all of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by Erdy McHenry Architecture, the roundhouse will feature a classic fan-shaped layout constructed with brick, steel, and glass, and will include a clerestory-style roof to enhance natural lighting. The climate-controlled environment will support long-term preservation and public exhibition of these rare machines.
PHMC Executive Director Andrea Lowery described the roundhouse as a “monumental step forward” for the museum and the broader mission of safeguarding Pennsylvania’s industrial legacy. “This project is about more than bricks and mortar,” Lowery said. “It’s about preserving the stories and engineering marvels that helped to shape and build our Commonwealth.”
DGS Secretary Reggie McNeil echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and preservation. “Protecting these locomotives in a state-of-the-art facility ensures they can be enjoyed and studied by generations to come,” he stated.
In tandem with the roundhouse, the museum’s 1928 Reading Company turntable will undergo a full refurbishment, with updated safety fencing and rebuilt tracks to enhance functionality and visitor safety.
Construction is expected to be completed by early 2027. During this period, the museum’s outdoor yard will be closed to the public.
The nonprofit Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania has already raised over $300,000 through its “Ready For The Roundhouse” campaign to support restoration work on the locomotives that will be featured in the new facility.
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is a Smithsonian Affiliate and one of 23 historic sites on the Pennsylvania Trails of History. It boasts a nationally renowned collection of over 100 locomotives and railcars, along with a research library, education center, restoration shop, and museum store. It is administered by PHMC with support from the Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.
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