Nells; "tear down the roundhouse"? It is amazing it is still standing! Close to 2 years ago,the City of S.Portland & Maine D.E.P,condemned it,and ordered it torn down. Still there,and even if one doesn't like Guilford,you gotta appreciate there "stonewalling" the Govts. I guess the place is loaded with asbestos(pipe covering,and 80 years of "other nasty stuff",that the "beautiful people" are afraid of. Of course,men worked around this "stuff",soot,smoke,they smoked cigars,butts,pipes for 50 years or more,and the only time most heard the word cancer,was an astrological sign! Me thinks,the govts. now realize,that to tear down the roundhouse(or the few stalls that remain) might get that "stuff" into the atmosphere! Couldnt be too bad in there,as there has never been any yellow tape,blocking off access to any of it! Bud
I'm not 100% sure I am reading your post correctly... I just think it is a shame so many obsolete structures are not put to good use. Perhaps if the roundhouse had been upgraded through the years, it wouldn't have to be torn down.
There's a little building at Ayer MA with a B&M blue door and lock on it. I can't imagine how old it is. Its companion fell down a while back. But does anyone care it is a little part of railroad lore? Nope. Then there's the old "Stan's Hobby Shop" in West Chelmsford. What a cool depot/freight house! And yet it sits, a great candidate for a restoration next to an active line, yet left to rot.
My point is even our railroads don't care about their railroading past. I myself feel that is rather sad.
JD
PS: I am not trying to be snippy, I'm just sick of seeing things dissapear