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NEW LOCO. DEPOT
AT EAST PERTH STATION.
PROGRESSIVE RAILWAY WORK.
The old locomotive running sheds
which have existed for many years
between Melbourne-road and West
Perth will, in all probability, before
another year has gone, be a thing of
the past.
With the rapid development of the
system and the resultant increase in
engine stock, the old depot was taxed
far beyond its capacity, the difficulties
in dealing economically and expedi-
tiously with engines had long since
reached an acute stage, and were be-
coming more and more accentuated,
and the land upon which the depot
stands being required for traffic sid-
ings and the future extension of Perth
passenger and goods yards, it was de-
cided to construct a new running yard
and sheds between East Perth and Mt.
Lawley station (immediately east of
the main lines), a few particulars re-
garding which will doubtless prove of
interest to our readers.
In order to obtain sufficient space
for the lay out, extensive resumptions
of private properties were necessary,
and after these were effected a start
was made to grade the area to the re-
quired formation. This preparatory
work was completed in June, 1915, and
entailed the removal of some 149,000
cubic yards of sand. The laying of
the sidings was begun last year, and
is now practically completed. In the
lay out, provision has been made for
the possible conversion of the 3 ft. 6in.
gauge to 4 ft. 8½in. gauge, and at the
same time by an extension of the en-
gine shed and sidings, to provide for
the 4 ft. 8½in. gauge separately, should
the trans-Australian line be construct-
ed to Perth. To deal with coal sup-
plies, a bin 150 ft. long, with a holding
capacity of 200 tons of coal, has been
erected, and this will be fitted with 10
sets of chutes for filling tenders or
bunkers of engines. Provision is made
for the future installation of a me-
chanical coal-loading apparatus.
Drainage has received the attention
due to its importance, an elaborate
system being provided. Ample pro-
vision has been made for water sup-
ply, which will gravitate from the
50,000 gallon overhead tank at Sum-
mer-street through 12in., 8in., and
smaller mains. Ten water columns
will be erected, two between each pair
of roads and opposite the outside en-
gine pits at the south end of the new
running shed, and two opposite the
mechanical coal bin. The engine pits,
which are being constructed entirely
of brick, aggregate 5,000 ft. in length.
At the south end of the new engine
shed, eight pits, each 165 ft. long, are
being built, and pits will extend under
each road through the building. The
shed itself will be 362 ft. long, with a
width of 187 ft., and will be capable of
future extension, more than doubling
the present capacity. The permanent
walls will be built of brick on con-
crete foundations, and a distinctive
feature of the shed will be its tiled
roof, a pleasant change from the
stereotyped galvanised iron, and apart
from any aesthetical advantage, the
tiled roof will also possess a very
marked practical advantage over one of
galvanised iron by reason of its im-
munity to engine fumes, for iron roof
on similar structures have, owing to
the corrosive action of the fumes, prov-
ed a constant source of trouble and
expense. An 80 ft. turntable, capable
of taking engines equal to the type
used on the trans-Australian railway,
wall be erected. Connection to the
main lines is gained at both East Perth
and Mt Lawley, under the control of
the signal cabins at those stations. The
sidings in the depot total about six
miles of line, and are of 60lb. 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 build-
ing the grade of the sidings is 1 in
264. In addition, a siding and shed to
house the breakdown crane will be
constructed.
The total area covered by the new
depot is 22 acres, and when completed
it is estimated that 900,000 bricks
(which are now obtained from the
State brickworks at Beenup) will have
been used in its construction. The
whole site will be surrounded by a
substantial picket fence, the major
portion of which is already erected.
It is anticipated that the new yard
will be in use before another year has
passed, and will supply a greatly felt
want in removing the disabilities
which the loco. working in Perth has
labored under in the past, and in
addition, will be a decided acquisition
to the railway system of this State. —
"W.A. Railways Gazette."
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