This official press release just flew off the wires minutes ago ... things are moving along again!

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission Announces Bid Process is Open for the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania’s Roundhouse Project

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania’s Roundhouse, a Commonwealth Capital Project, will house six historic Pennsylvania Railroad locomotives, ensuring they are preserved for generations to come and creating a better experience.

Strasburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) today announced the opening of the bid process for contractors to undertake the building of a 16,000 square foot, 6-stall roundhouse at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.
This new structure will provide much-needed covered storage for six historic Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotives, protecting these valuable engines from the elements and ensuring their preservation for future generations. The roundhouse will also significantly enhance the visitor experience, creating a dedicated space for closer viewing and interpretation of these magnificent machines.
The roundhouse will feature a renovated turntable and will house locomotives representing a key period in Pennsylvania's industrial and transportation history, showcasing the evolution of steam engine technology and its vital role in the state's economy. These locomotives include:
• M1b No. 6755 – A 4-8-2 “Mountain” type steam locomotive built in 1930
• K4s No. 3750 - A 4-6-2 “Pacific” type steam locomotive built in 1920
• L1s No. 520 – A 2-8-2 “Mikado” type steam locomotive built in 1916
• E6s No. 460 – A 4-4-2 “Atlantic” type steam locomotive built in 1914
• H10s No. 7688 – A 2-8-0 “Consolidation” type steam locomotive built in 1915
• B6sb No. 1670 – A 0-6-0 switching steam locomotive built in 1916
A major source of inspiration for the project 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 new structure’s design will utilize brick, steel and glass, as well as a clerestory-style roof, which maximizes the use of natural lighting.
Construction of the roundhouse, made possible through Commonwealth capital project funds, will be managed by the Department of General Services and is expected to begin later this year, with the goal of completion in 2026. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held once the bid has been awarded.
About the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, a facility of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, preserves and interprets the rich history of railroading in the Commonwealth. The museum's collection showcases the diverse stories of Pennsylvania's railroads, from the manufacturers and workers to the travelers and the communities they served. Created under a 1963 state legislative act, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania officially opened to the public in 1975 and celebrates its 50th year in operation in 2025.
Visit the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and experience the golden age of railroading firsthand. Learn more at Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania online, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Trip Advisor, and YouTube.
The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Learn more by visiting PHMC online or following us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram or LinkedIn.

Very exciting!

But someone explain to me why a Reading Railroad roundhouse design is being used for a PRR locomotive collection. Didn't PRR have suitable designs available?

And where are the tracks for covered display of the electric equipment?

I could be wrong, but memory says the present turntable is a former Reading one...... in fact, the one from Cressona itself.............

And I don't care if they use a B&LE, NYC, P&LE, Lackawanna, Erie, or Kishacoquillas Valley roundhouse design, as long as it has the capacity!



Last time I looked years ago, PRR 460 and 7688 were displayed in the main hall. Putting them in the roundhouse frees up room (IN THEORY) for 4800 and/or the DD1....... that is, once restored again....

The museum is the RR Museum of Pennsylvania, making a Reading design appropriate.

I share others concerns about the electric locomotives stored outdoors.

~Wesley

Nice to hear this project is still being worked on - Strasburg is a great place for railfans to visit and the museum has always been one of my favorites.

This is probably not even on the radar and is only a foamer dream... but hopefully the locomotives will be stored in such a way they can easily be pulled out for photo ops on and around the turntable. It could be something very special!

Sandy, you had it right. The 100 ft turntable bridge was installed at West Cressona in 1918 anticipating the N1s 2-8-8-2 Mallets USRA was providing. RDG closed West Cressona EH in the 1930's in favor of nearby St, Clair. The bridge was stored in Reading. In 1948, RDG initiated Bridgeport-Port Reading coal trains with T-1 4-8-4 power. The bridge was transplanted to Bridgeport and later got to turn 2124 on an Iron Horse Ramble. Later, a highway project got the Reading a new, free wye in Norrisrown. This made the turntable surplus and RRMPA bought it.

I don't know how RDG got the wye for free either, It also improved freight service Abrams-Bethlehem. Both 2101 (with the AFT) and 2102 have turned on the wye.

Phil Mulligan

Hi All
This has been a long time coming, the equipment stored outdoors, of the museum is in desperate need of being enclosed in of a new building..

Let's hope all goes well on the up coming ground breaking of the new roundhouse, the weather has taken it's toll on the outside equipment, and there is no setback's.

Now that the roundhouse is underway, I hope the next capital improvement focus (non-restorationwise) becomes developing the plot of land to the West and hopefully getting funding started for another building to house some more of the pieces outside.

In June 1966 a buddy and I visited the roundhouse in Northumberland. Upon our approach, the watchman told us in blunt language and on no uncertain terms to get out. But then he left, and we got the feeling that he was only doing his job and didn't really care if we looked in or not. So we did look in, and what a sight! All those engines safely out of the weather and beautifully preserved. Looking back on it, it is unfathomable to me that after all the effort the PRR went to, to save them, that indoor storage couldn't be found for them all these years. However, I am so glad that this long overdue roundhouse will hopefully, finally be built for them.

Geoff Quadland

Not only am I excited that the roundhouse is finally starting up (again), but I might be more excited about having an operating turntable (I'm hoping refurbished = operable) across the street - and a new series of potential photo events across the street as a result!

Since this is RYPN and not Facebook I feel a little better posting this here without anyone throwing torches and pitchforks at me because I have accurate information that doesn't conform to the narrative they try to spread on Facebook.

I have it on good authority that they plan to build a cover over the "corral" in the front of the museum as some form as respite for a portion of the collection being stored there.

The advent of the roundhouse finally being built is a good one, as this means the equipment can be shuffled around to allow more space for long term preservation.

I get tired of people saying "____(insert equipment they're passionate about) should be put inside" and when I ask what they want to be put outside to rot away they get suspisciously quiet.

Hello, I'm one of the restoration shop volunteers at the RRMPA. I can add that the current locomotive restoration for the roundhouse, B6sb #1670, is going well. You can see some of the progress made on YouTube at the channel "Mike's Metal Fab", linked below.
https://www.youtube.com/@mikesmetalfab


460 was the first of the roundhouse engines restored, and is inside the museum. 7688 has been given a protective coat of black paint, but is still outside.


I can back this up, as it was mentioned in a newsletter not too long ago. I don't believe that was the only plan mentioned, but I don't have the newsletter on-hand.

Just saw the rendering of the planned roundhouse building - it's a modern looking museum building "inspired" by a roundhouse.

On the positive side... it will house, protect, and display more locomotives. That's for sure a win.

But the negative... it does not look historic at all. Not only is this bad storytelling for the museum, it also cuts down on the possibilities for historic photo and video shoots (not just for railfans, but also for commercial customers).

I also would love to see how much they paid the architect to design this structure... they probably could have built something simple already for that price.

The architecture is also a feature to attract visitors and offers good public space to view the artifacts. Sure, they could build a cramped pole barn with no windows, no utilities, a dirt floor, packed it tight and saved a lot of money. How attractive would that be considering visitor experience? If you have the money, do it.