West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Monday 31 December 1917, page 3


METROPOLITAN RAILWAYS. EAST PERTH LOCO. DEPOT. NEW WORK NEARING COMPLETION. Within the next three mouths, should present expectations be fulfilled, the engine stock utilised for the purposes of the metropoilitan railway system will be transferred to the commodious new running yard and sheds now nearing completion between the East Perth and Mount Lawley railway stations, and the unsightly sheds between Melbourne-road and West Perth will be vacated. These will in all probability, be subsequently demolished, much to the satisfaction of the lovers of the city beautiful, to

PLAN OF THE NEW DEPOT.

whom they have for years past constituted a conspicuously offensive eyesore. The construction of the new sheds, the first steps towards which were completed, in June, 1915, has been necessitated by a number of circumstances. The big increase in engine stock, arising from the rapid development of the system, has had the effect. a taxing the western depot to far beyond its capacity, and consequently of rendering the economical and expeditions handling of engines a matter of extreme difficulty. Moreover, the land upon which the depot stands is required for traffic sidings and the extension of the passenger and goods yards. Chiefly for these reasons it was decided by the railway authorities to transfer the engine stock to the eastern side of the central station. Extensive resumptions of private property were made with a view of obtaining sufficient space for the layout of the yards, and the next step taken was that of grading

the area to the required formation. This preparatory work entailed the removal of about 149,000 cubic yards of sand. The laying of the sidings was begun last year and is now completed. In the layout, provision has been made for the possible conversion of the 3ft. 6. gauge to a 4ft 8½ in. gauge, and at the same time by an extension of the engine shed and sidings, it will be possible to provide for the 4ft. 8½in. gauge separately, should the Great Western line be continued to Perth. To deal with coal supplies, a bin 150 feet long, with a holding-capacity of 200 tons of coal, has been erected, and this will be fittcd with 10 sets of chutes for filling tenders or bunkers of engines. Provision is made for the future instalation of a mechanical coal loading apparatus. Drainage has received the attention due to its importance, an elaborate system being provided. Ample provision has been made for water supply which will gravitate from the 50,000 gallon.

overhead tank at Summer-street through 12in., 8in., and smaller mains. Ten water columns have been erected, two between each pair of roads and opposite the outside engine pits at the south end of the new running shed, and two opposite the mechanical coal bin. The engine pits, which are entirely of brick, aggregate 5,000 feet in length. At the south end of the now engine shed provision is made for eight pits, each 165 feet long, and pits extend under each road through the buildings. The shed is 362 feet long, with a width of 187 feet. and is capable off stabling 50 engines. It designed to permit of future extension, more than doubling the present capacity. The permanent, walls are of brick on con-crete foundations and a distinctive feature ot the shed is its tiled roof. This is not only a pleasant change from the customary galvanised iron, but also possesses a marked practical advan-tage over a roof of galvanised iron

by reason of its immunity from the effects of engine fumes. Iron roofs on similar structures have, owing to the corrosive ac-tion of the fumes, proved a constant source of trouble and expense. An 80ft. turntable, capable of taking engines equal to the type used on the trans-Australian railway, has been erected. Connection to the main lines is gained at both East Perth and Mt. Law-ley, under the control of the signal cabins at those stations. The sidings in the depot total about six miles of line, and are of 60 lb. section rail; they branch out into ten separate roads, running into the new shed at the south end, and then converge again at the north end. Through the building the grade of the sidings is 1 in 264. In addition, a siding and shed to house the break down crane will be constructed. About 900,000 bricks from the State brickworks at Beenup hare been used in the construction of the new depot, which covers a total area of 22 acres.