Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 May 1910 — ADDITION TO SHOPS. [ARTICLE]

ADDITION TO SHOPS.

Monon Railroad Awards a Contract at Lafayette. Lafayette, Ind., May 21.-—Of-ficials of the Monon railroad awarded a contract last evening to the Lafayette Engineering Company for a big addition to the machine department of the company’s repair shops in this city. The building -will be 175 feet long and 110 feet wide, and will extend from the west end of the present building. The contract price is $30,000 and when the, new machinery is installed in the building will represent an investment of $55,000. Six new engine pits will be built, one of which will be a drop pit, where wheels can be taken frqm under the big locomotives. Each of the pits will be large enough for two engines, and this will mean that the capacity of the , shop will be doubled. Many more mechanics will be employed than now, and the motive power equipment of the railroad will be. well taken care of. As the road is doing the biggest business in its history, a number of new locomotives are to be ordered soon, and the enlarged shops will be able to take care of all. In the last few months the Monon has expended more than SIOO,OOO for machinery in the local shops, and in a short time all the machinery will be run by individual motors. The power is to be furnished by the Ft. Wayne & Wabash Valley Traction Company. Work on the new addition will be commenced Monday and the contractors will have it completed within sixty days'. ‘ Reports have been circulated that the Monon is contemplating removing the shops from this city and taking them back to New Albany. Officials of the road say there is absolutely no foundation for these reports and the many improvements being made to the local plant bear out these statements.