Railroaders Hall, a 49,000 square foot addition to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg, is a train lovers delight. It brings a collection of historic trains together under one roof and enhances the museum´s displays for its 150,000 plus annual visitors.

The exhibit hall´s straight exterior lines and authentic barrel arch roof are recognized by railroading buffs as a train shed. The effect is enhanced by four red rotary ventilator balls atop a standing seam roof and its long metal siding walls. It seems the natural place for the massive locomotives that can be seen through the large glass windows at the building´s east end.

Inside, the exhibit hall is reminiscent of Station Square in Pittsburgh. The clear-span steel roof system is an adaptation of that historic station. Twelve main outside support columns carry the entire roof load and span across the 160-foot-wide hall. Translucent panels running the hall´s 302-foot length highlight the pattern of the steel supports. The effect of the design is so striking, you can almost hear track arrival and departure announcements echoing through the hall.

The 3,600 square feet of glass windows at the east end of the building add a feeling of openness associated with large train stations, but they´re functional as well. They capture natural light during the day, and allow visitors or passersby to see the locomotives that are illuminated at night.

Location: Strasburg, PA

Design Professionals: Cecil Baker & Associates

Total SF: 49,000

Value: $ 1.9 million

Awards:  1995 ABC - Keystone Chapter AWARD OF MERIT

1995 ABC National EXCELLENCE IN CONSTRUCTION AWARD

Services Provided: General Construction Services

"Benchmark has shown extreme craftsmanship in your work on the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. This project has met and exceeds all of our greatest expectations." Cecil Baker, AIA Cecil Baker & Associates