Northern Central Railroad Baltimore Freight Shed
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Built by the Northern Central Railroad, the former Baltimore Freight Shed is a rare example of composite timber and iron roof construction of the mid nineteenth century.
The roof structure is comprised of a series of tricomposite trusses with timber top chords, wrought iron tension rods, and cast iron compression members. This use of both timber and iron in the same roofing system formed a transition period between short span timber trusses and longer span iron and steel trusses that would be in widespread use by the end of the century. The building remains in use today as the home of the Merritt Downtown Athletic Club.
Files
NCRR Freight Shed
View south on Hunter Street from Monument Street shows the gable-roofed freight shed, built c. 1860 and later altered to widen the entrance and extend the central bay. | Source: | Date: c. 1983
South, NCRR Freight Shed
Following the demolition of the passenger terminal south of Centre Street in 1946, the Northern Central Railroad transferred all activities at the station into the Freight House (right). | Source: | Date: c. 1983
Loading docks, NCRR Freight Shed
The Northern Central Railroad built loading docks on the west side of the shed along Hunter Street in 1946 where freight moved from trains to waiting trucks. | Source: | Date: c. 1983
Interior, NCRR Freight Shed
Inside the freight shed (view facing south) are the structures built to accommodate passenger traffic in 1946. The archways on the right lead to the loading docks built in the same year. | Source: | Date: c. 1983
Tricomposite truss (2016)
Detail view of a tricomposite truss supporting the roof of the Downtown Athletic Club. Note the vertical braces are made of wood. | Source: 91ÊÓƵ | Date: February 7, 2016
Roof of NCRR shed (2016)
Detail view of tricomposite truss in the Downtown Athletic Club, formerly the Northern Central Railroad. | Source: 91ÊÓƵ | Date: February 7, 2016
Roof structure, NCRR Freight Shed
The freight shed roof is an unusual structure made of three distinct materials, known as a tricomposite structure. The top chords are made of timber; thin metal tension rods extend diagonally from the horizontal timber braces; and cast-iron cross-shaped compression members extend down from the top chord. | Source: | Date: c. 1983
East side, NCRR Freight Shed
The east side of the c. 1860 freight shed faces on Guilford Avenue. The Baltimore Sun building on Calvert Street is visible in the background. | Source: | Date: c. 1983
Railroad Map of Baltimore
Map showing the Calvert Street sheds and the various railroad lines and facilities around Baltimore's downtown. | Source: | Date: 1922Map
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