Extension of the company's North Bay station building and complete alteration and renovation of the original structure have combined to make the depot thoroughly up-to-date in every particular, with the stone used for the extensions being mined from the two quarries that supplied the station when it was built in 1903.

The station building extension, installation of a new turntable, paving of the streets surrounding the station, and lining them with sidewalks, and the setting up of a whole new interior layout within the building are just a few of the comprehensive jobs which confronted engineers and workmen early last summer.

A few months ago the old station building had only a limited second storey, which was located immediately over the waiting rooms and comprised offices much too cramped in space for the present staff.

The offices on this floor have now been extended to cover the entire building. Muted buff walls and ceilings have been brightened with the installation of fluorescent lighting, and a neutral shade of linoleum covers the floors. Venetian blinds lessen glare from outdoors.

Hub of activity on this floor is the general office, where Chief Clerk Arthur Beattie, alderman of the city council, presides. From the general offices halls lead to the various private offices. Here are the offices of E.S. McCracken General Superintendent Algoma District, J.R. Caswell District Engineer, R.V. Carleton District Master Mechanic, J.V. MoGuinty Supervisor of Transportation, E.F. Curran District Electrician, W.F. Becksted District Signal Supervisor, D.P. Russell District Safety Agent, and J.L. Looney Assistant Engineer.

In addition, on this floor, are filing offices and a special room devoted to drafting and planning, the latter an important factor.

Renovation work, too, has taken place in the ground floor section of the building. The plastered portions of the waiting-room walls have been re-finished, while the old wooden floor has been replaced with terrazza flooring in an attractive green-grey color. New lighting has also been installed.

In the general waiting-room, new seats have replaced the old wooden benches, while the ladies' waiting-room has undergone an even more effective alteration. This has been furnished with leather chesterfields and seats. Terrazza floors and up-to-date fixtures have been installed in the restrooms.

All the improvements were not confined to the exterior and interior of the building, for the driveways leading to the station were paved and lined with sidewalks. The entrance, too, is brightened with modern light standards.

More serviceable perhaps than any other of the improvements effected was the installation of a new $70,000 turntable. This modern equipment, which is the 110-foot three-point bearing type, replaced a 90-foot balanced type turntable, which, when erected in 1922, succeeded a 70-foot one.

Construction of the turntable, which is "of the latest pattern, commenced in July, and with 25 men working steadily since that time, was completed in 4 1/2 months.

The reconstruction activities reached their climax when an auxiliary crane from Sudbury helped the North Bay crane move the turntable into place.