Several days a rebuilding works began in the oldest part of the roundhouse, the so called „Łowicz annex” (named so due to the proximity of track to Łowicz). The “annex” is really a first of the seven stands of the original engine shed erected in 1862. On the turn of 1880’s and 1890’s this single stand was converted into workshop backroom and dispatchers office. During the first months of the Great War and the fierce fight in the battle of Łódź, the Shed was nearly razed to the ground. The building was reconstructed in 1918 and furtherly (sometimes shoddily) extended after the Second World War

The first stage of renovation took place in 2012. It consisted of emergency clean-up and strengthening of the outer walls. Works were sponsored by the Conservationist of Łódź Voivodship. For the next two years, we had to put the renovation on hold due to the lack of funding. Eventually, this year we were granted 100 000 PLN by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, and could restart the works.

In the coming days several things will be done: foundations of the building will be reinforced and new internal walls erected to hold new, concrete ceiling. During the next stage of renovation we plan to rebuild the roof.

The works are carried out by the company Marbudex from Skierniewice, which proved itself trustworthy and reliable during the previous building projects in the Shed. This time, a heavy-duty equipment had to be utilized to excavate the foundations.

In the future, the annex will house the interactive exhibition of railway safety devices.

The renovation of the oldest part of the roundhouse is supported by

For the whole March and part of April, we have collected the required documents and then appointed the contractor to conduct the works by the oldest (1862-1865) part of the Shed. These activities were crucial to sign the subsidy agreement with the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. For the planned works we will be assigned 100 000 PLN. Currently we are waiting for the finalization of the agreement. We plan to start the works right after the first Open Days!

In the beginning of March we have signed the first in this year subsidy agreement. The City President of Skierniewice has assigned a support of 7000 PLN at the open bid for public interest organizations to the task “Adaptation of historical Engine Shed buildings to the museum and cultural purposes”. The project’ total worth is 8750 PLN  – the remaining amount are the own assets required by the bid. It will be devoted to prepare the technical documentation vital for further repairs of the Shed’s facilities.

Several weeks ago we reported that we are waiting for results of two subsidy competitions to which we applied for assets for further roof repairs. On Friday, 24^th October the City Council of Skierniewice approved the result of one of them assigning to PARE 50 000PLN for repair of 300 sq. meters of roundhouse roof! There’s only a couple of documents left to be filled in and with the beginning of November we can start the works on the roof above stands 4 to 6. Therefore, in next years a whole interior of the roundhouse will be available for visitors.

On the last days of September the repair works of roundhouse roof were inspected. The repairs were sponsored by Conservationist Office of Łódź Voivodship (35 000PLN) and 1% of income tax for PARE (more than 20 000PLN). Works were conducted perfectly by company “Marbudex” from Skierniewice and included total replacement of roof cladding above stands 7 to 9. However, this is not an end of the renovation works – we hope that before the start of season 2015 the whole interior of the roundhouse will be available to visitors.

On 10^th July, conservationist service inspected the roundhouse’s roof works above stands 1-3, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage (50 000 PLN). The company “Marbudex” from Skierniewice has completed its task perfectly. In a couple of days another stage of works above stands 7-9 will begin. We are still collecting assets to finance the last part of required repairs above stands 4-6, so after completing the repairs, starting from May 2015, the whole interior of the roundhouse together with all exhibits inside will be available for sightseeing.