The comment in the recent "million dollar" thread about shoddy carbarns got me to worrying.

In NC, in addition to the Lawndale boxcar restoration, we are planning on a substantial carbarn of our own to house our equipment. We already have a site plan, renderings, etc. Our plan is viewable at

http://www.tarheelpress.com/newtondepot ... gauge.html

However, we have not broken ground on it yet. Our plan is to have great security, have the equipment fairly accessible to photographers, have LED lighting, etc.

Right now, I am most worried about UV exposure on the east and west side of the fixtures, and perhaps pigeons roosting under the eaves of the barn roof.

If some of you have the time, I would appreciate any sort of comments or constructive criticisms on the plans I have posted.

Thanks!

Matt Bumgarner

Try a prefabricated steel building.

The barn in our plan is basically a pre-fab steel building.

Matt

You could sheathe the open sides of the structure in low UV glazing - but at a serious cost premium. It would also keep the pigeons out. Another possibility would be nets combined with shade from trees or overhangs. In either case, it will affect the visual impact and annoy photographers.

Very happy to see your progress close to my home town.

dave

Having sides on the building will be a further help towards preserving the equipment, prolonging the life of paint and finishes, vastly better security, keeping out the birds, etc. Some windows can be added to let people see that there is something of interest inside.

Appreciating the interest in having the ability to photograph equipment, perhaps the track centers could be moved closer together creating a wider aisle from which pictures can be taken inside an enclosed building. Pictures taken of equipment under an open-sided shed seldom are very satisfying anyway. Skylights admitting natural light also help improve the "feel" inside the building.

If you wish to keep from pigeons roosting on your beams, call a professional pest control company that advertises bird control. There are strips of spikes that can be attached to beams, ledges, etc. so the birds will not roost. Also, a sticky material can be applied which will discourage roosting.

I have used several materials and special feeds to control birds when I was in AZ with my license.