Rolling Stock Restoration and Plaza Project

In 2005, the City was awarded a $430,182 matching grant from the federal Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP), administered by the Maryland Department of Transportation to fund the Gaithersburg Rolling Stock Restoration and Plaza Project.  With a project budget of $865,845, the City intends to use local and other federal funds as match to the TEP award. 

The Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council appointed the Community Museum Train Annex Ad Hoc Committee to provide input into the project. Additionally, the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, the Gaithersburg Cultural Arts Advisory Committee, City leaders and staff provided input into the project, and public opinion surveys were conducted to obtain community feedback.  The project is subject to, and was awarded final approval by the Maryland Historic Trust and the City’s Historic District Commission.

The Project comprises the cosmetic restoration of the historic 1918 Buffalo Creek and Gauley #14 Steam Locomotive and Tender; replacement of the existing pedestrian deck around the Freight House; and the expansion and enhancement of the surrounding site.  Additionally, the City and the Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum (HRM) in Hagerstown, Maryland will exchange City’s current caboose and Troop/Kitchen car for the HRM’s current caboose and Budd Car. 

The #14 Locomotive and Tender has served as a favorite landmark in Olde Towne Gaithersburg for many years.  Its restoration will include the replacement or restoration of missing or damaged parts, including major components such as the ashpan, jacket, and headlights.  Rust and corrosion will be removed and the damage repaired.   The front and rear headlights and cab lights will be repaired and made operational.   The cab windows will be replaced and #14 will be cleaned and painted.

C&O Bay-Window Caboose

The City’s current 1942 B&O Railroad Caboose will be exchanged with HRM for a Bay-Window C&O Caboose.  The C&O Caboose is 7 to 8 feet longer and in much better, more serviceable condition.  The C&O Caboose will provide more space for museum programs and events. 

The City’s current Troop Kitchen Box Car will be exchanged with HRM for a Budd Car.  The Budd Car, a former MARC passenger car, with a stainless steel exterior, was built around 1950.  The Troop Kitchen Car was built in the late 1940s and has no historic relevance to Gaithersburg.  The Budd Carr is approximately 85 feet long, 35 feet longer than the Troop Kitchen Car. 

As requirement of the grant funding, all work on the project, with the exception of the caboose exchange, is subject to the prior approval of the State Highway Administration (SHA).  It is anticipated that the caboose exchange will occur in late 2008 or early 2009.  Work on the remainder of the Train Annex Project will begin following SHA approval of the bid package and award of a contract to a successful bidder. The project will be completed in phases beginning with the delivery of the new caboose and construction of the new brick plaza.  The second phase will be completion of the locomotive repairs and delivery of the Budd car. The final phase includes replacing the decking and construction of the ADA ramps. The project duration from time of award to completion is estimated to be twelve months.

The project team is currently completing bid package and plan changes requested by SHA. All consultant work should be completed in October of 2008 and forwarded to SHA.  SHA has indicated the final review process will be at least five weeks and could take up to twelve weeks. Given this schedule, the project could be bid in early 2009 and awarded in time for work to begin in Spring 2009.