Harry Bennett Memorial Roundhouse - Altoona, PA
N 40° 30.851 W 078° 24.033
17T E 720226 N 4488075
The Railroaders Memorial Museum includes a .rRoundhouse in the yard, to aid in maintenance of the rolling stock.
Waymark Code: WM147W1
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 05/10/2021
Views: 3
Please see the website for times and prices to visit the museum
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visit link)
When the Railroaders Memorial Museum opened the Master Mechanics Building, it became apparent that a facility was needed to care for the Museum's growing collection of rolling stock. The Museum embarked on the design of a quarter-roundhouse to provide a place for restoration, maintenance, and secure exhibition. The first pie-shaped wedge of the building was completed in summer 2002. Additional funding was secured in 2007 and 2010 to complete the building and house the Museum's most prized possession, Pennsylvania Railroad K-4 Locomotive 1361.
The facility was funded by Robert Bennett, a generous Museum patron from Los Angeles, as a tribute to his grandfather, William Henry "Harry" Bennett. Harry served as the first foreman of the newly constructed Juniata Locomotive Shops in 1889. Promoted to master mechanic in 1901, he oversaw the construction of K-4 1361 as well as over 6,000 other locomotives and the construction of the East Altoona Roundhouse. Harry Bennett held the position of master mechanic until 1921, longer than anyone else had. The Harry Bennett Memorial Roundhouse features a working 105-foot turntable, indoor storage bays, and outdoor storage spurs to display and interpret the Museum's rolling stock collection. (from listed website)