The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21
RAILROAD WORKS.
One of the Most Extensive Plants in
the Union.
Where the Largest and speediest Io-
comotives and Finest Cars are
Made-A Complete system.

The extensive manufacturing and re-
PAIR works OF the Southern Pacific Com
pany IN Sacramento, exceeding in ex-
tent any plant west ofthe Missouri River,
are at once the pride of the city and
source Of surprise to all visitors. AS is
we1-known the Southern Pacific system,
extending from New Orleans and Next
can points on the south to Portland on
the north is one of the greatest in the
country, but it is only when the stranger
allghts in Sacramento and visits the great
buildings in which the locomotive and
car equipment of this wide-spreading
system is kept in good order, and the
Innumerable articles required by the
rolling stock and other departments are
produced, that he begins to realize what
vast industries created by the necessities
of such a railroad system are centered at
this place.
For many years these shops and facto-
tories of the Southern Pacific have been
increasing in number and the scope of
their work enlarging. AS new roads
were extended, thereby increasing the
rolling stock of the company, the de-
mands upon the Sacramento works be-
came greater, and finally it was ascer-
tanned that much of the company's man
uiacturing must be done here instead of
ordering it all from Eastern foundries.
This was rendered necessary by the re-
moteness of the company's roads from
the manufacturing centers of the East,
which made II a slow ana expensive mat
ter to depend upon the East for its needs.
Hence the company was obliged to erect
here in Sacramento very costly buildings
and plants OF machinery in order to be
able to provide itself with certain SUD-
uNffA hot }n1- MI
much cheaper outside their own factories
than they can make them.
BUILDING OF LOCOMOTIVES.
Some Of the largest, finest and speedi-
est locomotives that ever graced rail-
road track have been constructed here in
Sacramento at the Southern Pacific Com
pany's works. Here, too, have been
built some of the most elegant palace cars
that ever crossed the continent. In short,
there is no class Of railway supplies. or
rolling stock, required by trst-class
road, that cannot be done at the railroad
works in this city. The evolution of
these vast works from few small repair
shops, at the time the overland railroad
was completed, has more than kept pace
with the development of the State, bat
they have now reached that point of
efficiency where they can supply any
thing required by the vast Pacific Coast
railroad system.
DEVELOPING THE STATE.
The rapid development of railroads
throughout the State, made possible by
the Southern Pacific Company's ability
TO do its own manufacturing and furnish
its OWE supplies, has proven a blessing to
California and neighboring States ana
Territories by opening up to settlement
rich agricultural and mining sections that
would not otherwise have been devel-
oped for many years to come, and these
shops have been a direct benefit to Sac
ramento and vicinity, by furnishing to
small army OF mechanics steady employ
Inent at good wages, and by giving hun
dreds of young men opportunities for
learning useful and lucrative trades.
a BOON TO THE EMPLOYED.
The company's pay-rolls show that
some two thousand mechanics are en-
pIoyed in the various departments of the