1907 - New N&W Shops for Roanoke

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Roanoke Times - October 29, 1907

NEW N&W SHOPS FOR ROANOKE

Immense Repairing Plant to Be Established at Once in the West End

SEVERAL HUNDRED MEN WILL FIND EMPLOYMENT

Pay Rolls of Railroad Company to be Largely Swelled in this City - 
Big Tract of Land Acquired and Work of Erecting will proceed without 
Delay - Means Much for Town

   A contract, which was to have been let several months ago, will 
undoubtedly be let by the Norfolk & Western Railroad Company today, 
for the erection of a new repair shops in the West End. The building 
of these new shops has been under consideration for sometime and the 
railroad has purchased a large tract of land which will be used for 
the site. That these shops will be a great thing for Roanoke is 
admitted by everyone, even the most pessimistic, and the fact that 
they will employ hundreds of men, will add greatly to the population 
of Roanoke.
   A gentleman in close touch with the proposed new building, when 
called upon by a Times reporter Monday, confirmed the report, but 
said that the contract for the building had not, as yet, been let, 
but would be in the next few days. Mr. John P. Pettyjohn, a 
contractor of Lynchburg, and Mr. T. W. Kirkbride, with headquarters 
in Roanoke and Bluefield, have placed their bids with Mr. Churchhill, 
the chief engineer of the N. & W. Railway, and they were both in town 
today looking after their respective interests. Its is stated on good 
authority that the contract will be awarded to one or the other of 
these two gentlemen.
   No particulars as to the dimensions, probably cost, etc., of the 
new building could be obtained at this time, but it is said that it 
is to be quite extensive. The excavation will be begun as soon as the 
contract has been let and before many months Roanoke will have 
another big industry to be proud of. The present shops of the N. & W. 
are said to be the largest in the South but they are inadequate, 
hence the construction of the new shops.

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- Ron Davis, Roger Link