Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Monday 22 September 1902, page 5


FORT MACQUARIE CAR-SHEDa

A NEW TRAMWAY DEPOT.

Fort Macquarie, the dingily picturesque old mass of masonry which stood on the rough point which turns the waters of the harbour in the one way down Sydney Cove, and in the other way to Farm Cove, which stood conspicuous to all who carno to this city in ships during nearly all the time that our modern history has been making, is now replaced. Where it stood in comparative quiet, with its relics of old years and old ideas, there is now raised a modern structura which is part of one of the \ cry newest developments of the times-the electno tramway system. Whera the old stone fort was there is now a brick building for the housing of tramcars, for the ac-commodation und comfort of tramway em-ployees, and for other purposes incidental to the tram service The onginal estimate for the cost of the

building was £17 500, but again public sentiment in- * tervened, and this time successfully. While ths work was in progress the designs were altered and the nature of tbe structure elaborated until it ran into a cost of nearly double the ouguuil estimate. The whole work was designed and earned out by til» Government departments, day labour being used for the removal of the old building, quarrying stone for the lower parts of the now, and also for the entire building, v» ith the exception of the root frame and the special flooring Work on the demolition of the fort began m Tobruarj, 1901 and the new building was pushed on aa the debns was removed lo-dny the building, with all internal fittings and external railroads complete, will bo formally handed over ta the Tramway rrnflic Branch

From tho outside of the building there are to ba seen an intneate network of tramways which is con* nected Jircctly with a double truck to and from Cir-cular Quay, and consequently giving indirect access to all the systems which have their terminus at the Quay At the sheds there ure three systems lu front of the sheds tho lines bifurcate into 12 tracks, each leading into a separate section of the car-house Thev also send brunches to connect with a spacious marshalling yard on the western side Lastly, but by no means of the least importance, there is a line completely encircling the whole building. Along that line cars move to get into position to resume the out-journey, to get into position to enter the shed trolly-car outwards and to carry passengers to the new wharfs at Macquarie Point, from which excur-sion steamers make their departure The general disposition of the railroads is on the most modern system, and the material is hign-class It is worthy, of note, therefore, that the numerous switches have to be worked by hand , there is no signal-box from winch the whole of the points might be controlled by levers It is thought that the hand system is in this particular instance quite safe. Though the sheds are to be finished only to-day they have been in use more or less completely for some weeks post, and the manipulation of the prints and working of the roads have given every satisfaction The loop or circle round the sheds will largely re-lieve the pressure on the Circular Quay loop and facilitate traffic The interior measurements of tho building are roughly as follows -Width, 121ft, ; length of car shed, 250ft , length of building from end to end, 307ft , height from ground level, 36ft , height from pit level, 41ft , height of turret, 80ft. The cars, 72 of which can be accommodated, ride on 12 tracks elevated 5ft over the pit floor, so that they can be overhauled with ease The roof is built on the " saw-tooth " principle, aud the lighting appears to be faultless The flooring on the ground and pit levels is the patent material called " arkilite," and the walls are tiled to a con-venient height At the rear of the car shed there are sets of offices where tickets are dealt with and stores regulated, and on the first floor there is a com-fortable dining-room for the car hands The in-terior space given by the construction of the turrets and ornamental architecture is all utilised, one room being set apart as a reading and lounge room. This place is lighted throughout by electricity, and the offices are heated by the same agency. Care has been bestowed on the sanitary arrangements, and special precautions have been taken to guard against fire. The demolition of the old fort and the erection of the new sheds have given employment to a daily average of about 120 men.