New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-13
THE NEW THIRD-AVENUE RAILROAD
DEPOT.

American enterprise ia never better exempied
than when an important buildngis destroyed by ire
Is An extensive warehouse, store, or large public ed-
fee burned the smoudering ruins have hardly settled
themselves in their reeking bed before an army oil
workmen with picks, crow-bars, shoyels and levers
are at work amid the debris to save what Can be
saved clear away the rubbish and lay the foundations
of ne W superstructure. OF all cities, New-fork,
with the possible exception Of San Francisco, pre-
sents the most noted instances of this undauned en-
terprse and none have been more remarkable than
the case Of the Third-Avenue Railroad Company. In
June last a conhagration destroyed the splendid new
brick depot between Sixty-ffth and sixty-sixth
streets, the whole enormous carrying traffic of the
Company was stopped, more than a thousand horses
were turned loose into the streets, and two hundred
cars were left on the tracks in open air. But before
single day had elapsed the greater part of the ami
mails were secured and sheltered and the business OF
the road went on with little interruption. The de-
sructon Of yearly $500 worth Of property 30 little
daunted the officers Of the Company that contracts
were at once made for new building more spacious
and convenient than the other, and completely fire.
proof throughout. Houses in the vicinity were hired
for Temporary Offices long ranges Of open sheds for
horses and of barns for forage and shops for repairs
were erected, and although hampered and cramped
for want Of room, the Company made tempor-
airy quarters for itfelf that have answered their
purposes very well. Five months have elapsed ana
the new depot is in such state OF forwardness that
AN excellent idea can be obtained OF its ultimate con-
venience and commodiousness.
Tie block bounded by Second and Third avenues
and Sixty ffth and sixtysixtb streets comprises an
area Of g3 600 square feet or about three acres, all
of which is occupied by the new building and its
courtyard. The new depot presents facade on
Third avenue OF 200 feet, and on the eide streets
broad,de Of Go feet The facade conssts Of a CEN
tral building in SOFT 4 Moorish style of architee-
ture two stories in hight, and sioe sheds or car
houses Of one story. TIE front Of the central build
ing /. of cast iron, very ornte and imposing. On
the ground floor are the business Offices Of the Pres
ident, Secretary, Receivers, and wating-room for
rss.encers. Below are coal-celar-, and water
closets, admirably arranged. The second story lie
devoted 10 large room for the meetings OF the Board
nj Directors smaller business Offices, and rooms for
the storage of upholstery and other articles required
for repairs. The windows " the second story are
ak in number three Oh each side Of the central por
ton, 10 feet high and arched at the top. The one
in the pediment il double, 20 that with the iumln-
a,ed clock dial and the paneng about il, the pas-
ters and ornaments and the and flag stall, the
harmony between the central parts Of tie building and
the wings il well preserved. There are four arched
entrances into each wing 10 feet wide containngone
car-track each. Each key-stone-f this term can
be applied to any portion Of cas-ron arches-bears
q large horses head Over the arch il a cornice,
panneled and highly ornamented, the whole sur
mounted with a baluster The main building and
wings are rooted with corrugated iron, which is
,efsupported by new arrangement Of iron girders
and rafters The floor space under cover is capable
Of aiording room for over IS 900 people, and the
roof surface in the main building and wings is by
measurement over two acres. Eight tracks from
the avenue enter the building and extend back the
whole distance of 80 feet into the repairshops in
the wings. The rs on this floor if laid end to end,
would extend from the depot building to Gramercy
Park. or about two miles. Down the center of the
floor is open space or well, - feet wide, Tor the
admission of air and light TO the stables below This
il rallied about by tasteful iron ratings, and spanned
at intervals by bridges over which the tracks pass
from side 10 side Of the building. From these
bridges descend, at easy angles inclined planes for
tie horses TO reach and leave their stalls. portion
Of the floor space adjoining the well Ia devoted to
car.poles, and here the horres are hitched before
going to their respective cars.
A broad skylight, extending the whole length of
the roof gives ample light to the main floor and the
stables.
On Sixty-ffh and Sixty-sixth streets are wings
extending back from the main building LIS feet.
They are each 60 feet wide, and contain the repair
shops Of the company. In the Sixtyifth street wing
il an extensive hospital for sick horses furnished
with hot baths, sngs loose boxes, and all other ap
plances Of q veterinary hospital. There also
paint, harness, and carpenter shops. In the Sixty
sixth street wing are the machine shops, the main
floor, and shoeng chop at the rear end below. The
horse. shoes used by the Company are those manu-
featured by Burden Of Troy, who has brought his
machinery to state Of perfection, and turns out an
excellent quality Of SHOE
The whole basement floor Of the buildings is occu-
pied as stable. Although there are accommoda-
tons for about 300 hortes, the whole place is to be
kept in such state Of cleanliness that the animals
will retain their health better than in the majority of
small stables. The hores are arranged in groups of
81 this being the number required for three cars, in
Guiding changes The rows Of stalls are separated
by alleys eight feet wide, which are paved with
bricks set on edge, and grouted with cement. The
horses face each other, the attendants passing along
@ passage elk feet wide 10 distribute the feed. The
stalls have double plank floors the upper one open /
to allow liquids TO PASS through and the lower one
tight, made of tongued and grooved boards to shed
water. The liquids are conveyed by system OF
o.aI int 81.