The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-10-18
Eastern e. Maine Central Railroad Sta.
fi0u.


AT the public meeting held year or two ago
| in reference to union depot, President 10th
| rop and Gov. Morrill,, it will be recollected,
| pronounced themselves decidedly in favor of
| the project. Their views were concurred in, as
| is well known, by the majority of the Board of
| Directors of the Eastern & Maine Central
| roads. Concert of action upon the matter, with
| certain other roads has, however, under the Cir
| cumstances been found impracticab'e. This be-
| ing the case the Eastern & Maine Central roads
| judged it best to continue their passenger sta
| ton on the old location, until the time should
| be ripe for the union of all the roads at some
| central point. Pending this issue it seemed adj
visable to renovate the old p. S. & P. depot for
the joint use of the two roads, rather than atlarge
| expense to build anew. But the problem APP
peared doubtful whether the ''old shed'' could
be made over into anything decent. Taking
together the dilapidation of the building the
mud of the street, and the lack of tolerable ac-
commodation everywhere, more unpromising
job could hardly be found outside of the Getty
of Destruction" The numerous crossings on
the way to Portland bridge made the locality a
terror to the travelling public.
Mr. George Batchelder. the general agent at
Portland of the consolidated line, on receiving
his appointment was directed to overhaul mat
tiers and make the best out of the case that
was possible. As result of his energetic work
| for the past five months the station with all
| about it has been transformed almost beyond
recognition The entire surface of the land
| around and beneath the depot, has been
| graded up from onesto two feet. The build
| ing has been raised over three feet, has
| has been re-slled recovered, new-windowed,
| and furnished with ventilators; the platform
| has been widened. capacious baggage room
| built, and a restaurant of ample proportions
| provided, which is furnished very handsomely,
/ and as we are informed is admirably kept.
| The entire system of tracks within the STATEN
and on the territory contiguous has been changed
| The crossings have been reduced to two, a num-
Der of which none will complain. Commercial
street for over 600 feet length bordering the
| station, has been paved with wood and stone,
| at the cost in part of the Eastern and Maine
| Central railroads. An asphalt pavement has
| been laid by the side of the station. The
| waiting rooms have been remodeled, the floors
| laid in birch and maple, the walls painted an
| agreeable tint, comfortable and TASTY furniture
supplied, and the apartments generally made
| light, airy, cheerful and agreeable. The water
| closets and wash rooms are equal to those found
| in first-class hotels. Sebago water has been
| introduced, hose provided, and suitable equip
| ment to combat fire. Up stairs the offices have
| been handsomely refitted All the apartments
are warmed with steam, Winslow of this city
having put in full set of his approved appara-
tus The kitchen connected with the restau-
rant is so furnished with drafts that no odor of
cooking in adjoining rooms offend the senses.
In short, the result is creditable to all con-
cerned, to the roads which authorized the i'm
provements, and to Mr.. Batchelder, who has
carried them out with so much taste and judg-
ment. 1t will be- recollected that these quar-
tiers are only temporary. The managers of this
line entertain the hope that concurrent action
can, at no late day, be had for union station
for all passenger trains centerjng at Portland
Any delay of this desirable provision will not
come from them. Meantime the people of
Portland will acknowledge with satisfaction
the great improvements already made for their
comfort by the Eastern and Maine Central
railroads.