[Sidenote:  The Telpherage System]

One of the most interesting features of the shops is the electric telpherage system.  This system runs the entire length of the north and south bays crossing the middle bay or erection shop at each end, so that the telpherage hoist can pick up in the main room any wheels, trucks, or other apparatus which may be required, and can take them either into the north bay for painting, or into the south bay or machine shop for machine-tool work.  The telpherage system extends across the transfer table pit at the west end of the shops and into the storehouse and blacksmith shop at the Seventh Avenue end of the grounds.

The traveling telpherage hoist has a capacity of 6,000 pounds.  The girders upon which it runs consist of 12-inch I-beams, which are hung from the roof trusses.  The car has a weight of one ton and is supported by and runs on the I-beam girders by means of four 9-inch diameter wheels, one on each side.  The hoist is equipped with two motors.  The driving motor of two horse power is geared by double reduction gearing to the driving wheels at one end of the hoist.  The hoist motor is of eight horse power, and is connected by worm gearing and then by triple reduction gearing to the hoist drum.  The motors are controlled by rheostatic controllers, one for each motor.  The hoist motor is also fitted with an electric brake by which, when the power is cut off, a band brake is applied to the hoisting drum.  There is also an automatic cut-out, consisting of a lever operated by a nut, which travels on the threaded extension of the hoisting drum shaft, and by which the current on the motor is cut off and the brake applied if the chain hook is wound up too close to the hoist.

[Sidenote:  Heating and Lighting]

The buildings are heated throughout with steam, with vacuum system of return.  The steam is supplied by two 100 horse power return tubular boilers, located at the southeastern corner of the building and provided with a 28-inch stack 60 feet high.  The heat is distributed at 15 pounds pressure throughout the three bays by means of coil radiators, which are placed vertically against the side walls of the shop and storeroom.  In addition, heating pipes are carried through the pits as already described.  The shops are well lighted by large windows and skylights, and at night by enclosed arc lights.

[Illustration:  INTERIOR VIEW OF 148TH STREET REPAIR SHOPS]

[Sidenote:  Fire Protection]

The shops and yards are equipped throughout with fire hydrants and fire plugs, hose and fire extinguishers.  The water supply taps the city main at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 148th Street, and pipes are carried along the side of the north and south shops, with three reel connections on each line.  A fire line is also carried through the yards, where there are four hydrants, also into the general storeroom.

[Sidenote:  General Store Room]