The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-30
CENTRAL SHOPS ARE MODEL
 OF CONVENIENCE Work Is All Completed And They Are Now Ready
 For Use
EVERYTHING IN PLACE
 TO HANDLE EQUIPMENT
Located at East Thomas the Big Shops Will Have Cost Nearly Half MilIion-Opening Date Not
 Fixed.

One of the finest railroad shops in the south, constructed at a probable cost of nearly $5O0,000, perfectly complete from "A to z" lies inactive out at East Thomas. Every wire and belt is ready at the Illinois Central shops. There $ not single machine that is not perfectly new and in fine order.
 While no one in Birmingham knows just when this shop will be opened, the fact that the Illinois Central has recent ly put all it's shops back at regular time leads the local railroad men to believe that within a very short time this brand new plant will be running and giving employment to about 100 men.
 Some declare that it will be open be- fore July 15, while the more conservative think it will be running by September l.
 A trip through the shops is an interest," ing one, and shows how careful in every detail the road is. All the work was done by the mechanical department of the railroad, no contracts being let. It began over a year ago, and the actual construction work was completed near Christmas. Since that time the machia- cry has been slowly coming in and being installed on arrival. Within the last month the last screw has been turned, all the belts arranged and only the liz ht- ed match is needed.
 The machinery used in this work is very costly and complicated. It was in- stalled under the direct supervision of a specialist sent by the chief mechanic. Shining in new paint and bright steel, 1t is a delight to the mechanical eye.
 First in the line of buildings is the sand house, a two-story brick house, where a large supply of the assistant hill climbers and baking remedy will be kept. Then comes a two-story frame of flee building for the head foreman of the shops and the yardmaster.
 The central structure is the semi-cir- cular building, called "the round-house.' .' This is built of brick and perfectly fin ished It is divided into two sections, with 10 tracks entering each. One is to be used by the Illinois Central and the other by the Frisco. The revolving ta- ble is an electric device. neatly balanced and finished with a brick pit.
 DOutH Ol lillS lo tnt supply nOuSt, WItIe the last finishing touch, concrete floor, is being put in now. Then comes the long building where the mechanical work is done. In the first division Is the big boiler room, with two enormous boilers and the engine Next is the mechanical department, where all the costly machin- cry is found, followed by the blacksmith shop, the carpenter shop and other de- partments.
 The whole is neatly and carefully wired, with full arrangements for a dy- namo which will furnish the light and power for the whole plant. The water is furnished from pumping station on Vil- lage creek, nearby, and ample arrange ments are made to put out all fires 1t is indeed a complete plant and when opened will give employment to skilled labor of the class which Birmingham seeks.
 Immediately adjoining in front of the shops are Illinois Central yards, which at this time are well filled with cars Nearby a big stockyard will be erected by the company to handle the live stock shipped over it's lines,