July 1904, No. 77 The Railway and Shipping World (Toronto) Page 247, col. 1

G.T.R. betterments, construction, etc.

Kingston subway.—A further order of the Railway Commission in connection with the construction of the subway under the G.T.R. tracks at Kingston, Ont., directs that the city of Kingston and the county of Frontenac shall bay their proportions of the cost upon certificate of the engineer as the work progresses. (June, pg. 195.)

Collingwood, Midland, Toronto and Scarboro' Heights.—At a meeting of the Transportation Commission at Collingwood, Ont., recently, reference was made to improvements that might be made on the G.T.R. with advantage to that town and the line, generally. The first was one which would reduce the distance between Collingwood and Toronto from 84 to 60 miles, by the construction of a line from near Angus to King. The second was for the elimination of the gradients at Scarboro' Heights by the construction of a line a short distance out in the lake, for 16 miles, which, it was stated, one of the G.T.R. officers had estimated would cost $1,000,000. The lake along this stretch is only four or five feet deep, and in time the intervening space would be filled in by the falling of the cliffs. An alternative suggestion to this was extend the line from King to near Whitby, but this would only benefit the northern division, whereas to do away with the Scarboro' gradients would benefit the whole line. When the Transportation Commissioners were at Midland a suggestion was made for the joining of the Midland and Penetanguishene branches by a 16-mile spur at Elmvale.

Parliament buildings' yard, Toronto.—Considerable progress has been made with the erection of the outwards freight shed at this yard. The shed is precisely similar to that erected on Front St., from John St. to Simcoe St., dimensions of which were given in our issue of Oct., 1903, pg. 348. (June, pg. 195.)

Stratford shops.—Press reports state that these shops are to be considerably enlarged, and that work will be started very soon. The report says the following buildings will be erected:—boiler shop, 160×120 ft.; tender shop, 326×102 ft.; carpenter shop, 100×63 ft.; brass foundry, 75×40 ft.; that the blacksmith shop will be enlarged, that the erecting shop will be extended 175 ft., and that cement, brick and steel will be the materials.

Brantford station.—A contract has been let to —. Whitham for the erection of the new station building, and the old building has been almost entirely taken down.The new building is expected to be completed by the fall.

Hamilton-Sarnia double track.—On June 14 it was reported that the double track work had been practically completed between London and Ingersoll, and some stretches easterly from Ingersoll to Paris. The work consists of the widening of the present roadbed to accommodate the second track. The contractors on the remaining section of the work between Hamilton and Lynden have also made substantial progress. (June, pg. 195.)

Battle Creek station and shops.—We were advised June 15 that the matter of the building of a new station and the construction of repair shops at Battle Creek, Mich., was not in a sufficiently definite state to warrant an official statement. Press reports state that the shops at Port Huron and Durand, Mich., are to be closed, and the work now done there concentrated at Battle Creek. The Battle Creek residents have acquired 240 acres of land adjoining the present yards there for station and works, and in the event of the $75,000 station being built the town council has decided to close a portion of a street. It was reported in Battle Creek June 4 that a telegram had been received from C. M. Hays, second Vic-President and General Manager, accepting the offer of the land, etc.

Grand Trunk Pacific Ry.—The Dominion Parliament, at its current session, passed an act amending the act incorporating the G.T. Pacific Ry. in a number of particulars, the full text of which has already been published. An act has also been passed approving of the amended contract entered into between the Government and the G.T.R., respecting the construction of the G.T.P.Ry.

Surveys are being made at Port Arthur and Fort William, Ont., in connection with the lake terminals of the proposed line.

A good deal of interest has been taken in the investigation in progress into the alleged preferential employment of U.S. engineers on the surveys. The investigation is in charge of Judge Winchester, of Toronto, and according to an Ottawa despatch of June 27, fifteen U.S. engineers have already been deported on his certificate, their employment having been contrary to the provisions of the Alien Labor Act. The commission to be appointed to construct the section of the line from Québec to Winnipeg will consist of four members, and press reports state that it will include: Hon. S. N. Parent, Québec, chairman; Hon. A. Maclennan, to represent the Maritime Provinces; Hon. T. Greenway, to represent Manitoba, and one to represent Ontario. (June, pg. 196.)

Railways: G.T.P.Ry., G.T.Ry.

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