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

Turcot Roundhouse and yards.—The work in connection with the erection of the roundhouse at Turcot, Montréal, has been completed, and the fitting up of the house is in progress. It will accommodate 40 locomotives, and is so built that accommodation for an additional 20 can be added. The turntable is 100 ft. long. A yard is being laid out adjoining to have accommodation for 2,500 cars and so arranged that it can be further extended when necessary.

Hotel at Rideau Lake.—We are officially advised that the G.T.R. management has no information in reference to the erection by it of an hotel in the Rideau Lakes district, Ontario, and that the officials do not know how the report could have originated.

Toronto Union Station.—Agents of the G.T.R. are negotiating with the owners of the various properties along Front St. required for the new Union Station site. Some difficulty is being experienced with a number in arranging terms. The company has purchased the land now used by the Hendrie Cartage Co., for yard and stable purposes in connection with the new station. It is expected that it will be necessary in a number of cases to fix by arbitration the value of the land taken.

Ottawa Division.—The G.T.R. has commenced the work of strengthening the bridges on the Ottawa Division (formerly the Canada Atlantic Ry.), and otherwise improving the roadbed.

Newton-Darlington Division.—In connection with the construction of the Newton-Darlington division, which was undertaken to improve the roadbed for the double track between Montréal and Toronto, the Board of Railway commissioners has approved of a number of highway crossings.

Brantford improvements.—The main line deviation through Brantford, Ont., has been opened for traffic. The old route was via Harrisburg and Paris, either of which were about seven miles off, and Brantford was reached by branch trains. The new route necessitated the construction of a piece of line, 4.05 miles in length, from Lynden to a junction with the branch line from Harrisburg, and the strengthening, practically the reconstruction of 4.58 miles of the Harrisburg branch, and the almost entire reconstruction of the 7.80 miles between Brantford and Paris. From Lynden to Paris by the new route is 16.42 miles, while by the old route it is 13.01 miles. The old route will not be entirely abandoned, but will be used for freight trains and some local traffic. At Brantford a new station has been built, bridges reconstructed and many other improvements made. The opening of the line was made the occasion of a public demonstration, at which C. M. Hays, second Vice-President and General Manager, and other officials, together with representatives from various cities and towns of Ontario were present as the guests of the city of Brantford.

New station at Stratford.—W. G. Brownlee, Superintendent Middle Division, is quoted by the Mayor of Stratford as having stated that the erection of a new station would be proceeded with soon, if the city would allow the closing of a portion of Shakespeare St., and that when built the new station would not be inferior to that at Brantford.

London improvements.—The completion of the second track work in the vicinity of London, Ont., will be held over until it is decided as to the improvements to be made in London. A London paper says two plans are under consideration. The one plans the raising of the grade between Hyde Park and London, the widening of the bridge near the electric power house for a second track, and the elevation of the tracks in the city so as to do away with the present level crossings. The second plan involves the construction of subways to do away with level crossings, but both include the erection of a new station, and the re-arrangement of terminal facilities. Nothing, however, is likely to be finally adopted until early in 1906.

St. Clair tunnel.—Reports from Sarnia, Ont., state that it is understood that the delay in going on with the provision of electric transit through the tunnel is because the company is anxious to investigate the feasibility of operating it by power generated at Niagara Falls.

Port Huron shops.—We were advised Nov. 2, that it is not at present contemplated to make any addition to the company's shops at Port Huron, Mich.

Railways: G.T.Ry.

Stations: Brantford, London, Stratford

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