Pennsylvania Railroad Museum finally breaks ground on long-held vision

(The Center Square) – The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission broke ceremonial ground on a new facility at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania on Tuesday in Strasburg.

The 16,000-foot roundhouse will hold six steam locomotives for preservation and exhibition at the museum. It has been under construction for two months after decades of planning.

“To step into a railroad roundhouse is to enter into the microcosm of an industry where the dance between man and machine unfolds with vivid intensity,” described Secretary Patrick Bowne of the Department of Revenue, conveying the enthusiasm the museum’s supporters have for the history of the state’s railroads.

Roundhouses were vital to servicing and storing steam engines, utilizing massive turntables to move the locomotives. The 1928 turntable at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania was donated in 1967.

This project will cost about $13.5 million and receives funding both from the state through the Department of General Services and the museum itself which receives tens of thousands of visitors each year.

“The idea of a roundhouse for a museum dates back to the very beginning of this institution,” said museum Director Patrick Morrison. “It has indeed been a long journey, but we’re finally here.

The roundhouse was designed by Erdy McHenry Architecture of Philadelphia and will include “a classic fan-shaped layout, incorporating brick, steel, and glass, along with a clerestory-style roof for natural lighting,” according to the museum.

A primary benefit of the roundhouse will be the climate-controlled environment sparing the locomotives from the elements. In addition to the six locomotives to be housed within the new construction, the museum is home to over 100 engines and railroad cars and a massive library of historical data and artifacts.

“Protecting these locomotives in a state-of-the-art facility ensures they can be enjoyed and studied by generations to come,” said Secretary Reggie McNeil of the Department of General Services. “We’re proud to work with PHMC and a homegrown Pennsylvania company to bring this vision to life so that we can ensure these historic locomotives are protected and accessible for all.”

Organizers have raised more than $300,000 for restoration projects as the museum works toward the completion of the roundhouse, which is expected to open in 2027.

“This roundhouse project is a monumental step forward for the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and for preserving our state’s rich industrial heritage,” said commission Executive Director Andrea Lowery. “This project is about more than bricks and mortar, it’s about preserving the stories and engineering marvels that helped to shape and build our commonwealth.” 

Christina Lengyel is a Pennsylvania reporter for The Center Square. She is based in Harrisburg.

This article was republished with permission from The Center Square.