Note 1 — HENRY S. SIMMONDS. (continued 3)

Since the above was written, the semi-circular Engine Shed has been pulled down and a very large quadrangular Engine Shed constructed in its place. The former shed was inconveniently small and not at all adapted to the present emergency. It has been demonstrated by Mr. Kirtley that the system which has been so popular (with Locomotive Superintendents) in the early days of railways of using a turn-table or revolving platform for turning locomotives into the direction required in sheds where they undergo repairing, cleaning, etc., was at all times liable to cause not only delay in the departure of one engine, but in the event of mishap to the turn-table itself, the whole stock of engines would be locked up; hence the erection of the splendid new engine shed at the London, Chatham and Dover Railway Locomotive Works, which is said to be one of the finest and most commodious of its kind in England. It stands upon about 1¾ acres, and some idea of its magnitude may be realized from some of the principal materials used in its construction: namely, 40,000 cubic yards excavation; 6,000 cubic yards concrete; about 3½ million of bricks, besides 250,000 blue paving bricks of the Staffordshire hard manufacture which form the flooring; 30,000 feet of glass; 60,000 feet of slating, 260 tons of iron, and over three acres of boards which form the roof, and the newly-invented steam and smoke conductors designed by Messrs. Mills and Kirtley. There are also offices for the foremen of each department, and separate mess-rooms for the men of various grades employed, wherein their every comfort has been carefully studied, with lavatories, cooking apparatus, etc. Besides boiler-house and standing engine for driving machinery, etc. Also a tank of enormous capacity, made by Spencerlayh and Archer, of Rochester, to supply the engines with water from a well of considerable depth in case of failure of the regular supply from the Water Company's Works. There is also a new coal stage, built upon an entirely new principle, from which engines can be loaded with the necessary supply of coals in less than half the time previously occupied, with a similar diminution of labour. Another great feature in the approach to these Works is that the roads, sixteen in number, all lead from one line of rails. Each road, with pit in the engine shed, will hold five main-line locomotives or seven tank engines. The whole building will hold between eighty and ninety locomotives. The Works have been designed by Mr. W. Mills, C.E., and carried out by Mr. Charles Dickinson, the Contractor, and his Agent, Mr. D. Stubbings, and under the immediate superintendence of Mr. R. S. Jones, C. E., the engineer in charge of the works. Although nine months have only elapsed from the time of the demolition of the former structure to the erection of the New Engine Shed, etc., it is gratifying to state that under a merciful Providence no casualty such as might have been expected considering the number of locomotives running in and out daily has occurred. Mr. W. Wilkinson is foreman of this Branch of the Locomotive Department.

Foremen, (Locomotive Department).

Erecting ShopJ. Fletcher.

Fitting "W. Siddon.

Turning "T. Eaton.

Smith "R. Allen.

Boiler "W. Benton.

Foremen, (Carriage Department).

Painters' ShopW. Banks.

Coach-builders' "G. Faulkner.

Fitters' "W. Churchill.

Trimmers' "J. Gallop.

Saw-mill "C. Picton.

Waggon "F. Laraman.