The Cordova daily times., 1917-01-10
GOVT. RAILROAD $ NEW MACHINE
 SHOP

ohe oI tue mOSt nOtaDle improve ments made at the Anchorage termi- nal during the season just passed is the new machine shop, which is now nearing completion.
 The building consists of a main structire 50 feet wide by 250 feet long, flanked by a shed portion 40 by 250 feet feet, affording a total floor space of 22,500 square feet. The main structure Is spanned by 21 heavy trus- ses, 50 feet clear span. spaced 12 1-2 foot centers and at height suffi- cient to give 40 feet clear space below them. Two tracks on 22-foot centers run the entire length of the building and will readily accommodate ten units of rolling stock for repairs or overhauling. Under these tracks, at the easterly end of the building are located twin concrete steam heated repair pits. 50 feet in length, connect ed by transverse wheel drop-pit of sufficient size to handle locomotive drivers up to 4S inches in diameter. Next season spicially designed hosit- ing cylinders will be installed in the pits to facilitate the removal of loco motive drivers, and trucks; and an electric overhead crane, travelling the entire length of the shop. of 40 tons capacity, with auxiliary 15 ton hoist ing block, will be provided.
 The blacksmith shop occupies the westerly 100 feet of the shed portion of the building. The present equip ment, consisting of six forges, 3a g. 900 pound steam hammer and plate rolls with a capacity for handling plates up to 5-S of an inch thick and 12 feet wide, is to be augmented later with punches and shears, pillar cranes and the other necessary ap- paratus.
 Next to the blacksmith shop is the tool and supply room, with the usual equipment of grinders and lathes. Carried overhead at this point and supported by the roof trusses are two 35 horsepower motors, which are to drive the line shafting as soon as current is available. These motors are very heavy, slow speed type and were formerly in service at the Pan- anna canal, and it is to accommodate these and other similar electrical that makes necessary the use of no. volt direct current for power pur- | poses
 In the extreme east end of the shed portion of the building are the shop | offices, where provision has been 1 made for private offices for the mas. i ter mechanic. shop foreman and the l clerical force. A stationery supply | room has also been provided
 Between the offices and the tool room, occupying the remaining length | of the building. is the machine shop proper. The usual equipment has been installed, including a car wheel boring machine. planers, radial drill press, axle lathe, bolt cutters and pipe cutters. In addition, a new 36- inch lathe and 30 ton wheel press have been placed,
 The outer walls of the machine shop are double, with eight inch air space between and plank surfaces. The entire roof is planged and GOV. cred with asbestos rofing.
 Pipe coils and radiators utilizing the waste steam from the power plant through a vacuum system, will fur nish heat for the entire building. su. perseding the stoves now in use.
 Natural lighting is provided by 148 large and 40 small windows, and skylight 130 inches wide, running the full length of the building made up of sheets of wire reinforced glass, fl by 1SO inches and weighing about 2s0 pounds each. Artificial lighting will be provided by 300 and 200 watt Mag da lamps suitably distributed through out the shops.
 It is planned to install large am ouRt of additional equipment next season and when this is done the An chorage shops will be of ample ca- paeity to undertake all ordinary rail. road and floating equipment repair work, even of the heaviest type. - Alaska Railroad Record.
 -