The Science and Industry Museum's Gantry crane in scaffold (Drew Forsyth)
The works are part of a £14.2m DCMS-backed restoration programme across the museum’s site
Repair work has now begun to restore the Science and Industry Museum’s 1830 Viaduct and the gantry connected to its Power Hall.
The heritage restoration project, currently underway at the Manchester museum is part of a £14.2m DCMS-backed restoration programme across its New Warehouse, the gantry, and the 1830 Viaduct.
The museum is based at the site of the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station complex, and its viaduct requires repairs to address “historic water ingress and protect it from future rainfall increases”.Work includes removing track and ballast for surveys, draining trapped water, applying new waterproofing solutions, and reinstalling the track.
The gantry, which once supported travelling cranes for moving heavy goods, lies within the curtilage of the Grade II listed Power Hall. Its repairs include the stripping of old paint and repainting, fixing structural metalwork issues, and introducing new waterproofing measures.
The restoration of the gantry and 1830 Viaduct is expected to be complete by Spring 2025, aligning with the Power Hall’s reopening. The museum remains open throughout and available for evening events during 2024 and 2025.
Sally MacDonald, Director of the Science and Industry Museum, said: “This work may cause some disruption which we will try to keep to a minimum, but we hope visitors continue to enjoy visiting the museum where they can see live engineering and innovation in action as we continue to care for our historic site.”
The conservation of the gantry and the 1830 Viaduct will take place alongside additional restoration work happening to buildings across site including the New Warehouse and Upper Yard.
