You've struck my poorly-designed buildings nerve, Rick. In addition to what you stated, the engine house has a few more illustrious traits...
There are no smoke jacks… a steam locomotive facility with no smoke jacks… odd. Although there are two exhaust fans in the rear wall of the engine bays, unfortunately no one considered soot build up on the structure's split-faced masonry exterior. Apparently the architect, on his way to the ski slopes, complains of his wall being soot-marked then someone must go out and scrub the building.
In wintertime, using the exterior office door (the main entrance) exposes one to the danger of falling snow and ice. A small gable roof over the entrance would have eliminated this problem (it still could for that matter). At least the "ill conceived Parking Lot Eradicator" has snow guards on the north-facing roof to keep snow and ice from falling on all those winter visitors peering through the windows of the "Glass Jewel Box".
The gas radiant-tube heaters are not properly sized nor properly located for their intended purpose, although they are nice and warm if you're standing atop a car or locomotive.
Seemingly there was NO space planning for the engine house. Space requirements for a machine shop and a wood shop should have been considered. In addition the storage needs of spare parts & appliances, tools, hardware, sheet metal, piping, pipe fittings, lubricants, paints, etc. should be accommodated. A "locker area" would have been nice as well. In the architect's defense though, space requirements for steam locomotive maintenance facilities aren't exactly sitting on their bookshelf. In absence of printed information, it would have been prudent to consult those to be using the space (namely GLRR, Inc.). Although considering how the CHS organizational structure seems to function, architect-to-end user communication probably wasn't an option.
A shed for pneumatic-tired rolling stock would be nice too, since the forklift and tractor sit exposed to the elements.
It would have been grand to not have columns between the engine bays. I'm sure steel trusses were eliminated in the value-engineering phase, if they were considered at all. A clear span would have made the inclusion of an overhead crane easier and we wouldn't need Elmer.
In the interest of fairness, there are good things about the engine house:
It DOES have concrete floors and pits (no drop pit, as mentioned). However, I'm not sure if these were part of the original design.
There is hot running water and... a shower - very nice.
The engine bay doors have windows that provide a nice bit of light, one custom feature that works pretty well.
From one perspective this engine house is much better than some others I’ve had the opportunity to work in. However, considering it was professionally designed for a historical context, I would have expected much more.
Rick, I second the motion of sending your letter to the Post and also the Courant.
And many thanks from this grunt as well,
Natasha Bettis
Fireman/Brakeman/Conductor
GLRR
