State Regulators Tell Great Northern: Build a Real Depot
After the railroad missed its July deadline, the State Railroad Commission orders a modern Newport depot with running water, electric lights—and a flagman at Union Avenue.
The Miner is in receipt of a letter from the State Railroad Commission to the effect that the commission has served notice on the Great Northern Railway to provide a new depot at Newport, agreeable to the findings arrived at when the commission visited this place in May.
The railroad company was expected to submit its plans for the Newport improvements by July 1, but failed to do so, and many have come to the conclusion that the commission would drop the matter. From the order issued to the railroad company it is evident that the order is expected to be complied with, and that within a reasonable time the new depot will be erected. The commission requests that it be advised by the citizens in the event of a failure of the company to comply with the order, of which the following is a copy:
To the Great Northern Railway Co.:
It is by the commission ordered that the defendant company do, within 20 days from and after the service of this order upon it, submit to the railroad commission plans for a new station building to be erected at Newport, and plans showing any changes that it contemplates in its yards and tracks at Newport. In case of its failure to submit such plans it is by the commission ordered that the defendant company construct at Newport a station building adequate to the needs and wants of Newport, such station building to be modern, containing two waiting rooms, providing for running water and modern flush toilets in each waiting room, all of which shall be subject to the approval of the commission, and if such plans are not submitted as aforesaid, then the defendant company begin the construction of such suitable and adequate depot within 20 days from and after the date of the service of this order upon it, and have the same completed within four months from and after such date.
That such new station building and platform be lighted with electric lights or some other modern approved light other than kerosene, sufficient in power to properly illuminate the same.
That in the meantime and pending such changes a flagman be installed at the crossing at Union Avenue to warn and protect teamsters and passengers crossing said track, and that such flagman be installed within 10 days after the service of this order upon the defendant company.
“construct at Newport a station building adequate to the needs and wants of Newport”
The commission’s order reads like a modern service complaint escalated to regulators: plans, deadlines, accessible waiting rooms, electric lights, and a flagman at a dangerous crossing. It is a reminder that public pressure can force private railroads to answer for the amenities a town needs.
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