St. James Roundhouse, Build 1890
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Omaha railroad built a roundhouse at St. James in 1890 at a cost of $165,000. It had 25 engine stalls.
The structure was torn down about 15 years ago, but concrete foundations are still at the site and the turntable is still usable.
When in use, the roundhouse employed an average of 80 men although at ties the number was larger.
In 1896, the combined length of switch track was about 12 miles. One day crew and engine and two night crews and engines were required to accomplish the yard work and make up the numerous trains.
The average number of railroad men employed in St. James was 350 at that time.
Ticket sales in April, May, June, and July 1895 were $4697.