The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-14
R. |. WOULD BUILD
New ROundhOuse and Shops on
Program for Topeka.
Ii Not This Year Improvements
VIII Come Later.

An appropriation for a new round
house at Topeka, with adequate shop
and trackage facilities is reported to
be the first item on the Rock Island
proposed budget for Improvements on
its second division this YER. A de-
cision is expected soon as local off
cials are looking for the new budget
to be announced not later than Febru-
airy l.
If such a move is carried out it
means that the Rock Island will put
to use the remainder of the tract OF
ground which it owns lying along the
Kaw river. extending from a point
about two blocks west of the river
bridge to within half a block of Win
ter avenue, north of the Kenwood
and Potwin additions. Only a part of
this tract. which consists of about
seventy acres. is now used by the Rock
Island tracks.
Thirty Stalls Proposed.
Topeka being a freight division for
the Rock Island a new roundhouse
has been badly needed for several
years The present rOundhouse VIII
not accommodate more than six en-
gines having been built when the ROCK
Island first connected with Topeka
for use OF the engines on the Horton
and St. Joe branch. The roundhouse
is totally inadequate to meet the com
pany's needs now and it is reported
lDaE the new STRUCTURE VIII COAAAelAAA
at least thirty stalls, making it one of
the largest roundhouses on the entire
system. 1t is possible that not all of
the stalls would be built at first but 1t
is said the circle" will provide for
that number.
With the roundhouse will be built
shops large enough to at least take
care of what is termed as running
repairs" and new trackage facilities
which are not only needed to handle
the business here but to relieve con-
gestion at other points.
Bound to Come Eventually.
Whether or not these improvements
will be built this year is a question,
but that such a program is eventually
in store for Topeka has been known
ever since the company acquired the
tract of ground and established a
freight terminal at this place. In a
recent suit in district court in which
the Rock Island opposed the opening
of a certain street thru the tract, COM
psny officials testified that it was the
pan to use the ground for extensive
improvements which would be ham
pered greatly if it was to be divided
by a street
Eventually it is said that the plan
viii bring to Topeka shops similar to
that Of the Santa Fe. Little is heard
of reports circulated in former years
lhhL lIle ROCK lsldHu AhteHueu nONlhS
saops from other points in Kansas to
this place. Instead it is said that To-
peka is in line for shops far larger
than any the company has in thesstate
at this time, made necessary by the
Rock Islands growth and expansion
Any shops that would be built in con-
nection with a roundhouse now would
only be forerunner to the ultimate
plan, 1t is said.
Lay More Heavy Rail.
II is also stated upon good authority
that the proposed budget for this year
includes an appropriation which will
make it possible for the Rock Island
to complete the laying of new 100
pound rail between Harrington and
Wichita. The distance is seventy
three miles of which approximately
fifty miles have already been equipped
with the heavier rail.