The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-18
SEABOARD SHOPS
WILL Be REBUILT
That's What Consolidation
Means.
ChVC NICE-PRE2 CT I0HN
SAYS VlCE-PRES. ST. JOHN
THE COMPRESS WILL ALSO BE.
MOVED.
AND A GREAT WAREHOUSE BUILT
The Seaboard's Through Line Will be Com
pleted Not Later Than February 10th.
Equipment For the Through Trains
Now Ready.

Here is a good piece of news for RAJ
eigh:
The Seaboard railroad shops here.
burned several years ago, will be rebuilt.
\ large number of mechanics and Ia
borers will again be employed in them
The cotton compress viii he removed
to the Seaboard's new cotton platform,
near the Pilot Cotton mills.
On the property now occupied by the
compress and by the cotton platform
around it, will be erected an immense
freight warehouse.
These are some of the things that con-
solidation of the Seaboard System means
for Raleigh. said Vice President Il. St
John yesterday.
I'VE propose to continue the shops
here he continued. AS soon as con-
solidation is perfected and conditions
will warrant it. we will put roofs on the
walls of the former shops and resume
work in them. These walls were not
injured mt all by the fire.
Where will the general shops of the
system be locatcd:' he was asked.
They will remain at Portsmouth,
But there viii also be shops maintained
at Raleigh, y. c.; ut Richmond or Man
chester. Va. at Americlrs. Ga; and at
Jacksonville. Fla.
The management OF the road is partial
to Raleigh-fond of the city and its peo-
pie. We have always received only the
y .;indest treatment AT their hands and
we are anxious to do all we can for
the cfty. And when consolidation be-
comes an actual fact we hope to he able
to do much.
"Among other things we have in mind
is the removal of the compress from its
present site. near the centre Of the city,
to our new cotton platform outside the
city limits. The cotton platform now
around the compress will also he taken
away and on the ground it now occupies
will be established a large freight sta
ton.
Then we have some other things in
mind for Raleigh abOut which we are not
now prepared to speak. But you may
say that when the time comes. and we
are in proper condition. we will do right
by the people of Raleigh
when will you have your through
Florida trains running, Mr.. st. John:'
I'VE hope to have them i'll operation
by February 1st but we fear it will not
be earlier than February 10th. We now
have five steel bridges in process of
| construction. These can be completed
| by the 1st if the manufacturers and the
contractors will do their duty, but |
| fear it Will be the 10th before it is done.
Are your trains and equipment for
| the new system ready"
YES They are all complete and now
at Wilmington, Del. subject to our or
ders. There are five veStibuled trains,
Pullman outfits. for our fast Florida ser
vice Then at Portsmouth there are the
| day cars. mail and baggage and express
cars for these through trains"
Those who have seen this equipment.
| to which Mr.. st. John refers, say it is IL
magnificent one. The cars are of the
| latest pattern a dark maroon i'll color
and lettered with gold leaf.
Mr.. st. John says he does net yet
| know what the schedules of the new
| trains will be.
President Williams thinks the line will
| be in operation early iii February. The
| grading, he says, is all done and the
bridges will soon be completed.