The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-09
RAILROAD CLUB
HEARS BALLET
INTERESTING DESCRIPTION OF
GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL
WORK.

"OftM.
y most interesting paper on the
New York railroads centering at
FGrand Central Terminal. in New York
city, and the development and pros
poets of the Grand Central Terminal,
was read before the Richmond Rail-
road Club last night at Murphy's
Hotel by II S. Ballet, assistant
termial manager.
Mr.. Ballet illustrated his remarks
with stareopticon pictures. showing
the wonderful - ork nov drawing To
"a close on the enormous structure,
and in most interesting manner de-
scribed the various stages Of progress
as shown in tire pictures.
He said the total expenditure would
foot up something like $4,000, 900,
and that within six years, the entire
project-the approaches, the buildings
and the many improvements brought
about by Ile work--would be COM
pleted.
Stupentous Enterprise.
This magnificent structure with its
immediate environs, said the speaker,
is the most stupendous affair of tn,
character en- Earth. The Atg F0~5
vania station in New York, said Mr..
Ballet. 'is a mere bagatelle' as COM
pared with the big Fortyrsecond
Street proposition. The cost OF the
Pennsylvania station, it was said hard
ly reached $70.000.0 900.
| There are six primary lines of rail-
ways operated by two separate rail-
roads companies, to and from Grand
i Central Terminal. Electricity Is a
great factor in the operation OF the
many train entering the Terminal.
| The New York Central uses direct
Iaii, Iva
at $50 volts, and the New Haven uses
| 900 volts alternating current de-
1 eiveItd through an overhead con-
ductor ana paragraph. The New
| Haven locomotive is equipped also Il
run from Woodlawn Junction, a dis
| lance of thirteen miles on direct cur,
rent, taken from the 60 volt rail.
Great Mass Of TRAFFIC.
J Grand Central Terminal said Mr..
+. Ballet. must take care OF the great
burden Of humanity poured into Man
to provide for all the demands has
occupied the best thought, the most
careful study. and the experience and
skill OF the New York Central en-
gineers and experts for a number of
| years
| The process OF providing such =
| terminal has been going on since
1882. when the first terminal was
opened a. Center Street. near the City
! Hall"
The speaker went on to describe the
various stages OF progress made. SHOW.
| ing how the center OF populatio
gradually wsnt toward the north and
that at last a permanent site appeared
| to have ben found at Firty-second
Street.
! The pictures told plainly the Diff
/ fculties encountered in placing the
/ tracks below the surface. and showed
the won lcri,:i development of the sec
ton OF the city formerly occupied ~
the tracks.
\ Monument to Skill.
! Upon its completion the terminal
will prove a splendid monument 10
mans engineering and constructive
skill. 1t will be about as complete q
man, and while 1t will (the Terminal
proper) occupy but about nine-tenths
as much space as the Pennsylvania
Terminal, II win be- seven times larger
in square feet.
Members of the club having in
mind the proposed union station in
Richmond, asked many question, the
replies to which tended to enlighten
those who might have hand in
building the great station here.
when you comp'ete your great
terminal" said one of the members
''in six years, come to Richmond and
we will show you what great
terminal is
Il shall be very happy to help de-
velop Richmund."s replied Mr.. Beiliet
Panama But Small Potatoes.
I'VE have all thought that the en-.
gineering feats as revealed through
1 i'ae WORK on the Panama Canal have
appeared to us as the marvels>of all
ages" commented President Duke
| but when we contemplate this great
work we must admit that the Panams
Canal is small potatoes
Come TIP and will show you gen.
| tlemen through this wonder OF the
age" said Mr.. Belllet, and risine
| vote of thanks was rendered him.
Before tho paper was read. Messrs
r. !. Ford and A. r. Hecke, OF the
Chesapeake and Ohio, and Frank N
Grigg, of the Transportation Utilities
/ Conn any, We're elected to member.
! ship.
/ 1t was announced that the mex
! lecture owilld be given by Mr.. La
Baum. of The Norfolk and Western,
President ". ID. Duke presided al
/ the meeting.