100 years ago...

NW Mailing List nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org
Wed Jan 31 00:05:00 EST 2007


Roanoke Times, January 31, 1907

RAILROAD NOTES.

Two more new freight engines arrived here yesterday, and were sent to
the shops, where they will be inspected, tested, and then sent out on
the road. This makes twelve of the new "M" engines ordered from the
American Locomotive Works at Richmond which have been received here.
They are of the latest and most approved type, and are among the best
engines made in this country. It is understood that an order has been
placed by the Norfolk and Western for fifteen passenger engines. The
increased travel on account of the Jamestown Exposition has made it
necessary for the company to increase their passenger facilities, and
it is probable that an additional train will be put on.


Improvements at Pulaski.

There has been a great deal of patience shown by the Pulaski
people in waiting for the Norfolk and Western Railway Company to
improve the facilities here for handling the freight traffic. The old
hull of a depot that has been used with little addition nearly
thirty-five years, and which has been overtaxed in capacity every day
for the last ten years, has long been an eye sore, and an aggravation
to the people who have to do business there.
But it looks as though better things were in sight, although that
has been the cry for many years, and there are still citizens here
who are very sceptical and think the Norfolk and Western is only
crying "Wolf wolf." again, as it has done so many times before.
However, it is learned that the Norfolk and Western officials have
determined to enlarge their accommodations here, as they admit now
they cannot handle the business without so doing, and an
appropriation of nearly $100,000 has been set aside for carrying out
this improvement, and that it is to be completed this year.
It is said that the plans for a new depot are already drawn, and
that the design is to erect it where the old one now stands, except
let it front on Randolph avenue, opposite I. R. Albert's store, and
it will be nearer that street, and will have side tracks on both
sides to accommodate car load shippers, and the present freight
tracks will be used entirely as passenger tracks.
It will be a handsome two-story structure with plenty of room, and
the second story will be for the offices and everything will be right
up to date.
There will also be much additional side track laid, and the entire
yard will be enlarged in a degree that is necessary to handle the
great volume of business that is done at this point.
The plan is that this work shall begin early in the spring and be
completed as rapidly as possible.
If all these reports are true the merchants and business men are
to be congratulated that it will not be necessary to make a fight for
better conditions in the freight traffic accommodations here.
However, it has been determined by the merchants here that if
nothing is done soon the matter will be taken up with the corporation
commission and see if things can not be improved. - Southwest Times.




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