Duluth Train Oberservation Platform
Step back in time, step up and enjoy the view!
- 300 SF open-walled custom timber structure on a brownfield site for watching trains pass through downtown Duluth, GA.
- A bonded, Design-Build project awarded by the Duluth Downtown Redevelopment authority. Completed January 2026.
- Custom fabricated and built timber structure by Yonah Mountain Timber Frames for Dominy Construction. Includes a double-roof, southern yellow pine tongue & groove ceilings and a custom primary deck with a wheelchair accessible ramp.
- The wood for the structure was custom milled and specialty pressure treated solely for this product. The timber posts and beams are all dimensional members.
- The diamond-shaped steel plates at the haunches of the trusses were custom built and powder coated by YMTF and include tabs which insert into the ends of the truss members and are connected by concealed fasteners.
- Adjoining the structure is an interactive patio area that includes sections of reclaimed train rails embedded into concrete stamped and dyed to resemble railroad crossties (also known as ‘sleepers’).
- The patio also includes a reclaimed train crossing signal which is rewired to be controlled by a timer switch set at child height on the platform’s front pillar. Children can make it flash and it will cut itself off, so it does not continue to flash unattended.
Special project features include:
- The structure’s design and material selections are by Ponder & Ponder Architects, influenced by the works of E. Fay Jones.
- The floor decking is custom made of cumaru (COO-mah-ROO), a tropical hardwood also known as ‘Brazilian Teak.’ While very attractive, it is also extremely durable; apart from occasional cleaning it is virtually maintenance free.
- The primary building lighting is reclaimed from old train stations in the United States and Canda. Originally, these fixtures would have either run off direct current (which is not common anymore) or even kerosene; they have been rewired now to use LED lighting.
- All reclaimed railroad materials were collected and refurbished by Rob Ponder. Rob also performed the rail installation in the patio area!
