South Tacoma’s Great Engine Conversion
Northern Pacific prepares to replace steam with electric power at its massive machine shops, signaling a new era for local industry.
The story, cleaned up
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The Northern Pacific's machine shops at South Tacoma will in all probability be operated by electric power within another month. The work of changing from steam power to electricity will be commenced next week, and gradually all of the shop buildings will be put in connection with the new transformer station, which is being erected at the extreme north of the company's yards. The electric power, which will be furnished by the Tacoma Railway Power company, will be conducted from the power company's local distributing station on A street to the Northern Pacific shops. The line, which is now completed, extends southwest from the station to Yakima avenue and Fifty-sixth street. Thence it follows the South Tacoma street car line to the Northern Pacific yards. William Moir, superintendent of the Northern Pacific shops at South Tacoma, stated this morning that the work of installing motors in the various shop buildings is now well under way, and he declares that he will be ready to make connections with transformers as soon as the power company gives the signal.
“He will be ready to make connections with transformers as soon as the power company gives the signal.”
The transition from steam to electrical grid power in 1904 echoes today’s push for decarbonizing industrial infrastructure. The South Tacoma neighborhood has long defined itself through these transit and rail corridors, which remain critical to Tacoma’s economic geography.
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