ATKINSON DEPOT (CLARK'S DEPOT)
Architectural Renderings and Illustrations
Lebanon New Hampshire Westboro Yard Expansion Proposals

Railroad Technology and History Center at Westboro

This study explores the possibility of creating a new building in Westboro Yard to house a working transportation museum and provide a storage, museum and maintenance facility for the Flying Yankee. The Claremont Concord Railroad has long believed Lebanon's Westboro yard could be a ideal location for the Flying Yankees home and help inspire the preservation of the historic lower yard.

The Flying Yankee is a state owned asset and it could be located on this state land. Existing connections to the national railroad system, public access from major highways, a growing airport, a operating tourist railroad and a transportation museum are all quite literally at Wesboro Yard's front door.

Making this location even more desirable for the Flying Yankee is the existence of a operating railroad wye in Westboro and the potential to restore to two existing wyes within reasonable distance. Two railroad wyes are absolutely necessary for the Flying Yankee to reverse direction. Unlike modern trains the Flying Yankee is not designed or legally equipped to operate safely for any great distance in reverse. Installing two turntables long enough to accommodate the 200 foot long, inseparable train could not only be expensive, they would likely be the longest operating railroad turntables in the world.




Designing such a long and thin building (over 200 feet long) and making it look less like a shoe box and more attractive was a challenge. The design suggested here seeks to maintain the authenticity and flavor of the nearby buildings while blending it with an art deco or modern theme. Also considered were ample parking at the rear of the building and of course limiting additions and bump outs to control construction costs. The large expanse of glass provides ample display, elevator and restroom space. A view of the Connecticut river frontage is only possible if the round house is removed.

To lower building and operating costs it has been suggested that a large "green" roof could be applied. This new, energy saving technology is just beginning to be explored. The large round house (gray object in the foreground) is in a serious state of decay and none of the bays are deep enough to accommodate the length of the Flying Yankee. Stabilizing it is estimated to cost in excess of one million dollars. On the brighter side there are many old large beams, some brick walls and granite slabs in the building that could be recovered and reused in a new facility.






Westboro Yard Cement Transload facilty (Photo Illustration)

Round House restoration and reuse study. (Photo Illustration)