Is anyone aware of the status of the ex. Boston and Maine roundhouse and turntable in Portsmouth, New Hampshire?

After a little searching I managed to find it on google maps. It still shows up on aerial photos on Google, and you can see really good shots of it on the "birdseye" photos at bing.com. From what I can see at bing, it's in bad shape. There appear to be 3 or 4 stalls, and the roof's apparently collapsed from rot. The turntable still appears to be in the pit, but the pit's been partially filled. There's a building close by that appears to be related- maybe a small backshop? It's apparently in use.

Here's a screen cap from bing:



I wish I'd known it was there; I spent a week in Portsmouth last year and I'd have made an effort to visit it.

Interesting, if rather disheartening photo. My wife is originally from Portsmouth, and identified the body of water near the derelict facilities as the "North Mill Pond". Also, it should be noted that another engine house still stands about a dozen miles away in Dover. It has survived in much better condition, being "repurposed" as the Salmon Falls Pottery. What is now the Pan Am main line runs right by the pottery (Portsmouth is on a branch).

I was there last month while working in Portsmouth...it's still "standing" and still looking very much like this.

While it appears that the roundhouse may be a lost cause regarding preservation, it is certainly worthy of documentation. I'm headed up to the WW&F Ry. for Columbus Day. Perhaps a visit and measurements are in order.
In addition, the turntable appears intact and could probably go to a good home.

Looks like a two stall round house, I don't think I have seen too many of those. I wonder if there are any railroads that could use the turn table?

Stephen. When I saw the photo, I thought it was the one you sent me years ago when I asked about a turntable. That would be agreat place to restore.

Later!
Mr. Ed

Before anyone can say they could use the turntable someone will have to tell us how long it is. And who owns the property?

I walked the turntable (without tape measure) and estimated its length at 65 feet. Ed, this is probably the same table we talked about...

Stephen

Could this be the roundhouse where the attached photo was taken?
And yes, I colorized it. Can post the original B&W if desired.
-Jim Herron

Has the roof collapsed from rot or is it fire damage??

Looks like fire damage.

Later!
Mr. Ed

I like the colorized photo, Jim.

Stephen- Do you have any idea if the building in the background was also associated with the railroad? The brickwork looks very similar and something about that stepped roof profile reminds me of other railroad shop buildings I've seen.

It does have that look, Hugh...I can't imagine it wasn't an associated building...but I really don't know.

Jim, your excellent photo looks more like N. Conway, NH...but could pass for several other New England locations as well.

Stephen