The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-28

When on next Monday morning the small army of employees in the mechan- ical and operating departments of the Illinois Central and Frisco railroads re- port at East Thomas for their initial duties at that place one of the steps most important to the Birmingham dis trict will have been taken.
 The removal of the yards, roundhouses and workshops of the two railroads from Birmingham proper to that location sig nals the final verdict of the railroads that Birmingham has outgrown its swad- ding clothes and is for once recognized by all interests as big city. The rail roads have by this step admitted that the growth of this city has necessitated the removal of railroad shops and switching yards from the center of the fastest growing city in America,
 It has been pointed out that the civic victory of this removal from Birming- ham is not to be taken lightly. It is unquestionably one of the most appre- ciated moves that could have been made by these companies or any others.
 Not only have the Illinois Central and Frisco railroads, with the Central of Georgia, decided in favor of the city in this case, but the other railroads are beginning to see that switching in Bir- mingham proper will not do, and they are making plans accordingly. The Louisville and Nashville has removed practically all its switching to Boyles, and when the shops at Eighteenth street are removed to Boyles then practically the entire work of this company will be performed outside of the city of Bir- mingham.
 With these interests doing major DOT tion of such work as switching far re- moved from the city some of the great est dangers now facing Birmingham from a grade crossing viewpoint will have been annulled. The Seaboard and Alabama Great Southern are now op- erating in a sparsely settled territory. When the growth of the city justified it the work of switching crews of those railroads will be taken from the city of Birmingham.
 The shops at Thomas cost about $675,- 900. They were started in 1907 and com pleted in 1908.
 The Illinois Central and Frisco lines will occupy a plat of ground between Thomas and North Birmingham, which was purchased in 1905. The deal was started by the Illinois Central through w. B. Leedy, but before it was finished the Frisco came in and wished to par ticipate. The property embraced Is given at 226 acres all told. Of this num- Der of acres the yards and shops occupy 100 acres, leaving a large amount for expansion in trackage when the growth of the business justines 1t.
 The yards are laid out upon what is said to be one of the most economical engineering schemes that was ever de- vised in this district. The most rigid economy of space has been observed, and In all the territory covered by the tracks there is absolutely no waste of ground.
 In order to determine upon ownership an odd scheme was arranged. The en- tire trackage portion is ballasted with slag. The white slag, which is discerna- ble at night, indicates the Frisco sys- tenn, while the darker slag indicates trackage space of the Illinois Central railroad.
 The tracks of the Illinois Central will be used by the Central of Georgia rail road, which is owned by the first named system. With this ballast signal ar rangement it will be q very rare oc- casion when the cars of one line are mix ed up with those of the other com pany.
 The approach of the trains from the main line just south of Thomas furnace is over two concrete culverts directly towards North Birmingham. The yard limit Is one mile from the inside line to the end of the quadruple tracks, but the double tracks run to North Birmingham, a total distance of about two miles from the point of ownership.
 The shops are situated about one-quar- ter of a mile from Thomas and are con structed upon the left side of the en- tire trackage. The construction in the yards is of concrete. brick and steel. The entire plant is fireproof. The ma chine shops, which occupy the largest building in the yards, are among the most modern that have been constructed in this city for railroad service.
 This building which is situated between