100 years ago...

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Roanoke Times, January 31, 1907

RAILROAD NOTES.

Two more new freight engines arrived here yesterday, and were sent to 
the shops, where they will be inspected, tested, and then sent out on 
the road. This makes twelve of the new "M" engines ordered from the 
American Locomotive Works at Richmond which have been received here. 
They are of the latest and most approved type, and are among the best 
engines made in this country. It is understood that an order has been 
placed by the Norfolk and Western for fifteen passenger engines. The 
increased travel on account of the Jamestown Exposition has made it 
necessary for the company to increase their passenger facilities, and 
it is probable that an additional train will be put on.


Improvements at Pulaski.

   There has been a great deal of patience shown by the Pulaski 
people in waiting for the Norfolk and Western Railway Company to 
improve the facilities here for handling the freight traffic. The old 
hull of a depot that has been used with little addition nearly 
thirty-five years, and which has been overtaxed in capacity every day 
for the last ten years, has long been an eye sore, and an aggravation 
to the people who have to do business there.
   But it looks as though better things were in sight, although that 
has been the cry for many years, and there are still citizens here 
who are very sceptical and think the Norfolk and Western is only 
crying "Wolf wolf." again, as it has done so many times before.
   However, it is learned that the Norfolk and Western officials have 
determined to enlarge their accommodations here, as they admit now 
they cannot handle the business without so doing, and an 
appropriation of nearly $100,000 has been set aside for carrying out 
this improvement, and that it is to be completed this year.
   It is said that the plans for a new depot are already drawn, and 
that the design is to erect it where the old one now stands, except 
let it front on Randolph avenue, opposite I. R. Albert's store, and 
it will be nearer that street, and will have side tracks on both 
sides to accommodate car load shippers, and the present freight 
tracks will be used entirely as passenger tracks.
   It will be a handsome two-story structure with plenty of room, and 
the second story will be for the offices and everything will be right 
up to date.
   There will also be much additional side track laid, and the entire 
yard will be enlarged in a degree that is necessary to handle the 
great volume of business that is done at this point.
   The plan is that this work shall begin early in the spring and be 
completed as rapidly as possible.
   If all these reports are true the merchants and business men are 
to be congratulated that it will not be necessary to make a fight for 
better conditions in the freight traffic accommodations here.
   However, it has been determined by the merchants here that if 
nothing is done soon the matter will be taken up with the corporation 
commission and see if things can not be improved. - Southwest Times.