The morning call., 1892-10-21

tions Will be introduced In the lines Of the
new station, so as to 0bviate any dwarhng
of the present building, even though the
height of the main tower will be 240 feet,
and also TO better create uniform baIm oni-
GUS whole after its completion. when 1t Will
stand the most imposing railroad terminal
station and shed in the world.
It will extend to Market street. occupying
all of the ground south of the present sta
ton between Market street and the present
station, extending west on Market street
over Fifteenth street, an d sixty feet beyond
This immense building site will afford an
extensive Increase in tie practical operating
area and create greater space accommoda-
tons for the travelling public. Reducing
the territory occupied by the new station
and shed TO simple figures, 1t IS shown that
four and three-fourlbs acres OF ground are
to be under roofing.
The design Of this immense building, as
a whole, is also susceptible, should the re-
Quirements Of the road demand an increased
space, of being extended over the present
station to a ten-story structure correspond
ing with the new station as 1t VIII appear
when erected, thus doubling the capacity
Of the work now In contemplation and stu
preserving a harmonious architectural Ell
feet
This great iron aud glass portal to Phila-
delphia will be the largest railroad train
shed IN the world, not excepting anything
Midland, the ST. Pancras. or the London,
Chatham and Dover stations in London.
1t will cover an area 707 feet long, 301 feet
wide and 40 feet in height from the plat
form TO the ridge Of the central ventilatoT.
The main arches will have clear span OIL
Z94 feet at track level and a clear height at
the center of 104k feet above the top OF
the rail. The entire structure, Win us
100000 pounds Of iron, will present the
appearance OF gigantic sun-parior, Ior
its extensive roof is TO be largely composed
Of heavy translucent glass in iron frames.
The glass in the roof s'1no will cover an
area of one and three-9 darter acres. AL
though the mammoth arches span an ex-
treme width which measures 307 feet With
out any intervening distractions or sup
ports, leaving the space clear for sixteen
tracks and the necessary platforms. the
whole construction will be model oil
strength, Notwithstanding the uDsnggestiye
lightness of the iron trusses and purlins.
The exterior of the train hall both on
Market and Filbert streets have been de-
signed TO accord perfectly with the style OF
architecture used in the station building. thus
obViating the usual abrupt incongruity so
often seen between station buildings and
the train halls, and making the entire ex-
terror one consistent design.
The height of the roof, the extensive sur.
face OF glass used In the covering, will
render the she'd as light as day, and rob II
of that dinginess SO often noticeable IL
such structures. while excellent ventilation,
also attributable to its altitude, will serve To
keep the air free of smoke.
One of the most interesting problems con.
necfed With the new station will be its con-
structiOn without interfering with the ever
active pulsations of the volume of shipping
and travel to and from Broa1-street station.
1t seems perfectly safe in propbesylng that
not detention will occur. however. when
the work in New York and Jersey City is
taken as precedent. for there. during the
entire construction Of the great shed, adj