Builders of Wooden Railway Cars ... and some of other stuff

Hicks "West Works"

Locomotives and Passenger Cars


“THE WEST WORKS comprises the Locomotive and Coach departments. The Locomotive Erecting and Machine Shop is a two-story brick building fully equipped with modern machinery, electric overhead cranes and other appliances for heavy locomotive work, and a brick Blacksmith and Boiler Shop, also fully equipped with modern tools, including power hammers, bolt machines, bulldozers, punches, shears, etc.”

Hicks "West Works" 1908
This is the “West Works” from the back. Note the clock tower (upper left) that is so prominent in pictures on other pages taken from the front.

“A complete Power Plant generates and distributes electricity for power and light, also compressed air for operating pneumatic tools.”

“Storage space for supplies and materials is provided in a brick Store House 68 x 140 feet.”

“Two large buildings and several smaller ones are devoted to the coach department. The Wood Mill has a full complement of modern wood-working machinery including everything necessary to the highest standard of coach work. The Cabinet Shop and veneer room are located on the second floor of the Coach Erecting Shop. In this department the built-up partition work, marquetry and other interior finish is completed according to the most modern standards for coaches and private cars.”

“The Truck Shop has ample facilities for the construction of high grade trucks for all classes of passenger equipment and in conformity to any specifications or requirements of the purchaser.”

“Dry kilns and storage sheds for dry lumber are of course necessary adjuncts.”

— From a 1908 Hicks promotional book.


 

Hicks coach yard looking left from main building

Above: Coach storage yards looking left from the roof of the main building (right in the engraving above). Below: Coach storage yards looking right from the roof of the main building (left in the engraving above). Click on either image for an enlargement.
Hicks coach yard looking right from main building
 
Hicks locomotive erecting shop
Locomotive erecting shop. Click on image for enlargement.
 
Hicks locomotive machine shop
Locomotive machine shop. Click on image for enlargement.
 
New switch engines for Rock Island Line
New switch engines under construction for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, ca. 1907.
 
Hicks works power plant
West Works power plant. Click on image for enlargement.
 
West Works blacksmith shop
West Works blacksmith shop. Click on image for enlargement.
 
Hicks boiler shop
Boiler shop. Click on image for enlargement.
 
Hicks locomotive erection shop
Locomotive erection shop from coach shop roof. Click on image for enlargement.
 
Interior view of the wood mill - passenger department
The sill section of the wood mill - Coach department. Click on image for enlargement.
 
Hicks works coach erecting shop

The coach erecting shops. Click on image for enlargement.
 

West Works coach shop

Repair department of coach shops.

Other Hicks pages (lots of images - may take several minutes to load) —

09 April 2006

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