The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-23
NEW TRACKS ID BE
 READY NEXT MONTH
Engineer Brumley Discusses
 Work at Norwood
WILL BE GREAT RELIEF
Will Be Used By the Illinois Central, the Frisco and the Belt and Will Do Away With Numerous
 Grade Crossings

That the new construction on the Bir- bingham Belt railroad through Norwood would be completed by the middle of next month. and that every detail would have been arranged for the operation of trains of D. J. Brumley, chief engineer of con struction for the Illinois Central rail- road, who was here yesterday. In addi- ton MT. Brumley said the laying of rails had progressed very fast since the start a few days ago, and other parts of the work are just as satisfactory.
 MT. Brumley spent the greater part of yesterday on the new work, and when he had completed the inspection said it would be one of the best pieces of rail- road construction ever completed in the south
 The line is owned by the Belt railroad, but Is being constructed by the Illinois Central It will be used by the Frisco, Belt and Illinois Central through the edge of Norwood for the operation of pas senger trains The tfack owned by the Belt on Thirty street will be aban- doned when this new track Is in opera tion The three companies will divert all trains now using Tenth avenue along the rev line, thus eliminating several dan gerous grade crossings and freeing the city of pestiferious switching trains.
 MT. Brumley was quite enthusiastic yes terday and among other things said:
 We started a few days ago laying Ems ley rails through the line at Norwood. The work will be ready for the operation of trains by the middle of January And when they are started over that track all men may know that 1t Is g. fine piece of work. I have seldom seen such fine stretch of track nor one that Is better constructed. We are very proud of that work so far. Birmingham is very for tunate in having that new line It frees the city of many grade crossings and also relieves Tenth avenue and Thirty-second street of many trains each day. All the Frisco and Illinois Central trains will leave the Terminal on Twenty-second street, keep right out to Twenty-second avenue thence through Thomas yards to the Frisco main line and thence to Pratt City It will be seen that wide circle Is made of the busiest part of the north side of the city. This 1t will be noted does away with a great deal of danger ous traffic and many other railroad in- conveniences of which there is said to have been much comment We are glad the work has progressed this far, as 1t relieves us of some problems and gets us nearer the people, as they must realize from this work that our company stands ready to conform to their wishes insofar as is practicable
 In speaking of future construction on the Illinois Central, MT. Brumley said:
 "Our department has not been advised yet of any plans to build into Birming- ham. As Is known we have already made the surveys for the route, and doubtless our officers will build into this city within the future years. However the unsound conditions of 1907 caused us to drop the work at that time, and it has not been taken up since. Just as soon as it is ready for the public I am sure our officers will inform the people of Bir- mingham, as we know how important it is locally and how much it would assist in furthering the interests of the city. The Illinois Central is proud of Birmins- ham, and we are striving to make the city proud of our lines. So our relations are mutual and cordial, and I hope in the future they will be inseparable.
 "The outlook for future railroad con- struction is not at all bad. The railroads are doing a quantity of work, and it Is the opinion that as conditions warrant other work will be started. The future for Birmingham is indeed bright"