The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-17
Superintendent Breck Fears I'm
provements Cannot Be Com
pleted in Time for the Fair.
TWO NEW PUZZLE" SYSTEMS.
because of Adverse Legislation
Main subway May Be Con
tinued Under Mail Build
ing and Bridge.

While the work OF improving the track
facilities of the Terminal Association Is
being pushed as rapidly as the weather
and authorities will permit. General Su-
Isefintendent Breck is by no means GER
tain that all of the changes being made
can be completed in time to be of serv-
ice for the Worlds Fair traffic.
I'VE have been interferred with in so
many ways" said Alr. Brock yesterday.
that I think it extremely doubtful that
the work can be completed in time for
the Fair"
Mr. Breck IS of the opinion that the
work can be completed only upder the
most propitious circumstances. and if
there is much bad weather it cannot be
finished i'll time for the Exposition traf-
fic.
SanSs OF men are now working In the
yards completing the new track systems
10y which the traffic can be handled much
more easily than formerly.
The point where all of the tracks inter-
sected at a common point for distribution
to the train shed tracks Is technically
known as a puzzle"
Heretofore there has been but one 'puz-
zle" of four tracks to distribute the
trains to the thirty-two shed tracks. it Is
uoN 10 nave Two puzzles OIL
three tracks each. fed by six east and
west tracks to each puzzle" which prac-
Ideally gives an increase of twelve over
four tracks capacity.
from which the trains reach the puzzle
have been increased from two TO seven.
All Will be operated from three inter-
locking towers. one having 81 interlocking
levers. being subordinate to the main
tower.
BUILDING SWITCH TOWER.
Ths main interlocking tower is being
built where the cid power-house stood. and
the other two towers are placed near
Fourteenth and Twentieth streets.
The task of installing the new interlock-
ing plant, building the towers, completing
tracks has to a great extent thrown the
yards into a chaotic condition and de-
layed passenger traffic. though it is e1-
pected that the situation Will be much
better early in the coming year.
The express buildings are being put up
as rapidly as possible. though only the
Adams express building = nearing o COM I'm,
been disturbed. as it would be Impossible
to conduct the business without them.
This has also caused restriction Of car
space.
The subway south Of the sheds is being
completed, though 1t has not ben entirely
covered as yet.
On account Of the adverse legisla ton. 1t
have the entrance OF the main subway
run under the United States Mailing-room
on Eighteenth street. for its entire length,
$40 feet: from there to cross under the
bridge and back to the property OF the
Terminal $40 feet. where the vehicle can
come out on Eighteenth street. In this
way. an addition TO the main subway OF
practically 800 feet will have to be con.
stlucted in lieu of the eighty feet asked
for an entrance to Eighteenth street.
The entrance to the main subway VIII
be on Twentieth street. and this is said
10 be a shade too steep to be absolutely
safe .
Terminal officials also state that on &C
count of the action Of the authorities II
has been impossible so far: to connect
chants bridge tracks. as has been In
The West End Belt Line has been double
tracked up to point near Bremen ave
nue.. where 1t is proposed TO connect win
has met with violent opposition. and go
far the only connection which can be mace
IL by one track, which would be OF no
service for Worlds Fair traffic.
To recapitulate. with the interiocking
express buildings to be constructed. the
new tracks constructed. the train-shed
in order that train OF four
teen cars and an engine can pc salely
the puzzles so reduced that the full ca
pacity of the thirty-two tracks can be
gained. the improvements on Union Sta-
ton and many other details to complete
II Is commended that unless everything IN
the way OF obstacles are removed and the
Fair traffic will suffer for the lack OF
hese uncontrolled improvements.