The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-09-27

REMOVAL OF THE FREDERICKSBURG RAIL.
ROAD SHOPS LIFE AND BUsILE AT BOLToN.-
Nearly forty years ago, when Richmond was
a city but in name, when railroading was in
its infancy. and its future gave no promise oi
| the great things realized, the Richmond,
Fredericksburg and Potomac railroad was
built, and its deI0; and workshops estab-
lished on the lot on Broad and Eighth streets.
The smoke of the company's forges has
peacefully waited over q generation of men,
and its buildings have become fImilar
sight to thousands and tens of thou
sands. Erected in garden on the
ruins of corn.s,alks and tomato-yincS,
when that portion OF the city was but thinly
settled, the buildings gradually became sur
rounded by substantial residences and buSi-
ness-houses, and the streets grew alive with
passing people, and throngs Of moving vehi-
clcs, and all the hustle Of active trade. The
city has grown up with the Fredericksburg
road. AS fast as the road reached northward
and westward with its connections the city
expanded, keeping apacc with the road and
abreast with the times. The time some time
since arrived when the shops Instead of be-
ing in thiny-peopIed section of a small city
were in the heart of growing and amN-
tious metropolis. So the complny deter
mined to "go west" with them.
Two or three years ago, the company hav-
ing bought eight acres Of land at the turn
out called Bolton, which is about half way
between the FAIRGROUNDS and Richmond
College, removed thither its car.shops un.
der temporary buildings. Within this year
the company has erected at Bolton q round.
house with nine stalls Zone third Of the cir
cle), q machine. and blacksmith-shop, and
offices and eapacious storerooms.
The round.house is ample for all present
purposes, and can easily be added 10 as the
need for more room comes upon the COM
pany. The machine-shop is 154x65 feet
with pitch Of over thirty feet. 1t has u
French roof, with large number of Win
dows let into it, and its walls are covered
| with stucco Of stone. color. From the front
of the editce an imposing tower rises tWen-
ty.tWo feet above the roof. The tower,
being upon ground which is thirty feet
higher than the next highest point on the
line of the road, may be seen afar of. Its
| top is level with the new city reservoir, and
| is about two hundred feet above tide. While
the tower is highly ornamental, it is useful
| also. l. contains two great tanks, one above
/ the other, filled with water pumped from
well near by by means Of donkey-eDgine
From one tank the water to supply tue
engine in the machine'shop will be
taken. The other tank will be re.
served for use in case Of fire. when,
with the hose already in plice, a line stream
of water may be instantly thrown upon any
desired portion Of the buildings. Inc
storerooms and Offices are in building
| like all the new ones, of brick-G0 by 30 feet
and three stories in height. 1t will contain
a tire.proof vault for the storage OF oils
storeroom for the upholsserer, office for MIR
Traipham, the master builder, and one fol
Mr., Kuhn. the master machinist, pattern
room. &C., sc. Hereafter the company vii
erect a csr.shop, OF say $50 by so ieet, on
line with the machine and blacksmlth-shops
and of design similar to that Of that shop.
The we'll from which the present supply
of water comes promises TO equal all de
mands.
Most of the bricks used in the construc
tion Of the buildings were made on tn
ground. though much of the clay used wa
i brought from considerable distance up th
road. ..#,,
! The whole place is well enclosed by
I strong fence. The main track runs through
the grounds. The approach for wagons
by Leigh street, whicn is now open from TN
Fair. rounds to the centre of the city.
The plan Of these mprovementswas mSd
by Major E. T. d. Myers, the superintend
ent and engineer, aud in executing them h
had the assistance Of Messrs. Tralnhan
and Kuhn. The total cost will probably b
over $4,000. So far as an outsider CAM Judge
the money seems to have been spent so as t
bring the company good returns, while goo'
taste was consulted. 1t will assuredIy prov
beneficial 10 our city, for it is the policy o
the Fredericksburg Rriroad Company to d'
its own work as far as possible. IL makes al
its own passenger coaches and freight cars
To say nothing Of the latter, the iorme
compare in elegance and comfort with an
coaches in the country, and are welcomed b.
every tired traveller, and have an enviabl
reputation with all skilled railroad men.
1t is hoped that day will soon come whel
the company will be justified in carrying on
its project for erecting on the eastern bound
ary of their lot row Of neat cottages Tor thel
workmen.
| In the course of two week, all the ma
ichjnpry will be removed from Bcoad stree
70 Bolton. Then there wall remain 10 ih'
clty only the deIo', the offices, and the s'a
bies of the compspy. a....g ..s.s