Thursday, June 01, 2006

Holbrook train depot restoration work continues

[Source: Tammy Gray-Searles, Holbrook Tribune-News] -- For just a few days, residents and visitors caught a glimpse of the interior of the historic railroad depot in downtown Holbrook as the windows were being “dry fitted.” Project Manager Paul LeBaron explained that construction crews placed the windows in the frames to check their fit, then removed them to make necessary repairs and adjustments before the final installation.

Although the windows will give the depot a new appearance, the windows and frames themselves are not new. They were removed from the depot at the start of construction, and as much of the original woodwork and glass as possible was restored. A close inspection of the panes reveals smooth new glass alongside rippled original glass. Original wood panes were joined with new panes and injected with a special preservative. Even the wood in what appears to be new window frames consists of wood salvaged from other areas of the depot, which was refinished for use in repairing the frames. “It would be a lot easier to just use all new materials,” LeBaron said, “but then it would lose that historical feel.”

[Note: To read the full article, click here. Photo source: Arizona Rail Passenger Association.]