Omaha daily bee., 1901-02-05
NOW FOR The BIG SHOPS
Official Veri6cston Of the Union Psoifos
Expansion,
WORK WILL BEGIN IN EARLY SPRING
Plans Contemplate Extensive New
Buildings Thoroughly Modern In
Every Dctnii-Mcnns Increased
Number of Employees.

Confirmation has been given the
report that mas been an open secret in local
railroad circles for short time past re-
garding the intended rebuilding OF the
Union Pacific shops in this city. The new
structure, which will be modern through
out and as nearly freproof as possible, viii
be equipped with new machinery, and the
entire cost win approximate Sl,OOO.OOO.
IL is expected that work on the new
buildings will begin with the opening of
spring Plans and specifications have been
drawn up and are now in the possession oil
President Burt Chief Engineer Berry and
]. n. Mcconnell, superintendent Of motive
power and machinery, who are IN New
York attending meeting OF directors OF the
Union Pacific Executive officials OF the
Union Pacific resident in Omaha have long
Appreciated the need Of additional aud i'm
proved shop facilities. SO apparent has the
necessity been that much Of the detail con-
nccted with the proposed new buildings has
been arranged and all that remains now Is
an endorsement Of the plans by the direct
ors and the granting OF an appropriation
necessary to cover the expense. That this
will be done in the immediate future there
Is not the slightest doubt and the assur-
ance cmanates from high official sources
that the Union Pacific motive and machinery
departments will be in their new quarters
just as soon rs the work can be pushed TO a
completion after the start Is made early
In the spring
Plans for New buildings.
The plan as outlined is that the new
buildings will occupy the present site of
the shops and machine quarters. The
foundations will be ample to Withstand tho
ravages OF time and the elements. The
present site will be raised from four to
six feet in order to place II safely above
high water mark and the super
structure will be gorunded on a
foundation as solid as the rock OF Glib
raltar. It is the intention to build the
now shops without interfering with the
operation Of the present facilities. AS rap
idly as the exigencies will permit the new
machinery will be installed. replacing that
OF the old which has been outdated by i'm
proved appliances. Electricity will be used
as extensively as possible and the old
lathes and belt machinery that have been
in service for so long will be consigned to
the scrap heap.
With the enlarged and improved shop
and machine facilities the department of
motive power and machinery will be ex-
panded and the construction and building
of equipment will be conducted on a more
extensive scale than at the present time.
Additional facilities for repairing and re-
building locomotives and other railroad
equipment will be provided and employ
ment will be given many more men than are
now on the payrolls OF the Union Pacific
shops.
In Union Pacific official circles Il is said
TO be probable that work on the new shops
will begin directly after President Burt s
return from New York. The actual building
operations will not be in full sway until
spring sets in and insures against any
delay that might come from bad weather
conditions.