http://snovalleystar.com/2009/06/10/rai ... train-shed

Is this a train shed with open sides or an enclosed engine house? The article is not clear.

Sloan

There is a little more information on the web site at http://www.trainmuseum.org There will be something on the blog in the next day or two as well. The contract was just signed.

--Richard

That's an impressive-looking building! Thanks for posting the link.

Sloan

Based on things I've read before (including the price tag), I believe it's a fairly high-quality building along the lines of the BAERA Loring Jensen Memorial Carhouse.

How many acres of land does the Northwest Railway Museum have?

The campus where the structures are being developed is approximately 4 acres and is contiguous with the RoW that is also owned by the museum. So the development area is altogether about 7 acres and is approximately midpoint on the five-mile railroad.

Design philosophy is similar to BAER with the exception of exposure to light. There are no windows in the BAER building, presumably to minimize light and its associated damage. The Northwest building will have lots of windows but with very little direct sunlight. This was a tough decision between the needs of the collection and the needs of the visiting public. BTW, the windows are a lot more money than blank walls.

Everyone wanted a bigger building, but this one already proving a challenge to pay for . . .

--Richard

Our solution at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is no windows, but a high level of artificial lighting. This provides a good viewing experience, but reduces light exposure by 80% to over 90%, depending on the number of days and hours the facility is open to the public.