Re: D&RG Gunnison Roundhouse

September 2, 1937, Thursday

RIO GRANDE YARDS GETTING IMPROVEMENTS

55 Year Old Roundhouse Being Remodeled for Big Engines; Stock Yards

Will be Lighted For Night Loading.

The first major improvements to the 55 year old roundhouse in the Gunnison yards of the D&RGW are underway this week, with 6 stalls being raised and lengthened to accommodate engines of the 490 class.

When built way back in 1882, the height of the doors--11 feet, 6 inches--was sufficient to accommodate the engines used in that period.

Several years ago, 3 of the stalls were remodeled to accommodate the bigger type of engines; but with 6 of the big engines on the job now a day, 3 of them had to sit outdoors when not in use, and during the winter months it was decidedly unhandy to service them.

Under new plans, clearance of the six stalls will be raised to 15 feet clearance in front and a corresponding 3 and 1/2 feet more clearance in back. The extension in back will be 11 feet, 6 inches giving a total length of 76 feet, 6 inches.

W.S. Gilmer, general foreman, will have a new office built in one corner of the building. The whole heating system will be revamped into steam heat, doing away with the old heater type stoves. A blower system will be installed, which will make a forced draft through the building clearing out fumes.

The scheduled improvements include an additional skeleton pit, used when it is necessary to get under engines to repair or service them. This will give the yards two pits.
The construction work is under the direction of A.J. McKenzie, bridge and building foreman, and he has 30 men working under him.