Museum Building Update
After the workshop building was completed, our attentions turned to the construction of the museum building. Shorter and narrower than the workshop, the building was designed to provide viewing access to large rail mounted exhibits, and also to provide a large space to display smaller exhibits. Work on the building is in fact still ongoing, as once the main contractors left site, our own volunteers are completing the "fitting out" of the building, with services & internal decorations. RSR is planning to open on a phased basis, and so it's likely that your first visits will see changes and improvements in the environment on each visit. Below are a list of the major tasks that are being carried out by our volunteer workforce. Don't forget that more help is always needed.
Current Status :
Shop: A new counter facility has been constructed - Boxing out of the steelwork for fire protection has also been completed (May 2005). The shop's now been in service for a few months, and continual improvements on the displays are ongoing. Central heating completed in November 2005
Toilets : Completed (Late 2003)
Cafe : A temporary buffet facility to serve hot & cold drinks was constructed on the ground floor by late 2003. This area is eventually to become an exhibition space. Remodelled and fitted with flooring in Autumn 2005
Mezzanine Level : Work is currently on hold in this area until resources become available. Work still to be completed includes the completion of the handrails, and the construction of the staircase. Until these two essential items are completed, there is no public access to this area. Work has taken place to construct the framework for the toilet & kitchen facilities on this level. - Completion expected : Late 2006
Internal Platform : Work has been ongoing since the end of 2004 to install the internal platform which will not only give access to the external platform & the trains, but also to enable access to the Mezzanine Level. The foundations were dug & set, the main steel structure fabricated & installed, and then the top concrete section constructed & finished. The access ramp was then constructed, and currently work is in progress to install the handrail system, in readiness for the open weekend on June 25th & 26th. Completed: June 2005.
External Platform: Building a 400' long platform was always going to be a tricky task. Initially the footings were laid by the main contractor, and then one of our volunteers laid the foundation blocks. After a long period of inactivity, we hired in help to construct the main wall, which was completed during 2004. Our own volunteer workforce then laid sufficient oversails, coping stones and tactiles to fill sufficient platform & ramp to allow a limited rail service in January 2005. Support structures for the proposed platform canopy were then constructed and installed in readiness for future canopy installation. Preston College students then used the project as a training ground, and they completed the installation of the oversail blocks along 3/4 of the platform. The next stage was for contractors to come in and install the coping stones along the length of the platform, and completed the full length by the middle of May 2005. Then we continued with the infilling of the platform, and the temporary topping which will serve us in the short term. This was completed to the end of the building by the beginning of June 2005. The section of the platform which extends beyond the building is currently being constructed. The footings for the rear wall being dug & laid in late May, and the wall construction taking place in early June.
The full length of the platform was infilled by Autumn 2005, and by the time of the Pathfinder railtour visit in November, the section beyond the museum was fenced also. A new layer of gravel was also distributed.
Completed (temporary surface) : Mid November 2005. Final surface will be dependant on funds
Internal Structures : If you have visited us on one of our open days, you'll recall that the floor surface in the museum building was one of loose gravel. The plan is to construct concrete pathways around each of the three exhibition "roads". Due to the overall floor level in the building, the installed tracks need to be removed & the floor re-levelled. In the mean time, the main pathway has been constructed along one wall (Completing in February 2005) The next stage is to level the main floor area for "road 1", and lay the track into the building, allowing further storage. Once this is completed, further pathways can be constructed. (Expected Completion : Mid 2006)
Internal Decorations : Remedial works have been ongoing with the fitting out of the buffet, shop and toilets, although our large selection of wall mounted small exhibits will require restoring, positioning & securing. Expected Completion : Ongoing.
Services : The main services of electricity, running water, drainage & telephony were introduced into the building shortly after occupation. Our resident electrician has been busy installing the lighting in most of the public areas, including the toilets, shop, cafe, corridors and internal platform. Most recently, work has been ongoing on the fire alarm system, and external platform lighting. As with any building of this size, there's always more to complete - notably the lighting of the main exhibition hall. Expected Completion : Late 2005.
| Date | Museum Site |
| Platform Changes | |
| 17th December 2002 |
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| 27th October 2002 |
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| 4th October 2002 |
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| 14th August 2002 |
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| 4th August 2002 |
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| 20th July 2002 |
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| 6th July 2002 |
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| 15th June 2002 |
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| 8th May 2002 |
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| 8th March 2002 |
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| 28th April 2001 |
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