Road
and Rail
Cargo
Center
|
Poised on the extreme edge of the
The terminal accepts manufactured goods from factories, stores them as necessary, and then distributes those goods to consumer outlets. Architecturally, the building is one of the more unusual ones in town. The first two floors, which house a complex conveyer system for the distribution of packages, is cut off from the upper floors (housing offices and long-term storage space) by a large, white "lip." This "lip" structure provides additional shade to the cargo workers below. It also helps to block traffic and train noise for management in the upper floors of the tower. To the left of the white "lip" is a structure that looks like 5 metal wings. These "wings" are large heat links that dissipate heat generated by the cargo loading and distribution machinery. Through the use of these heat-sinks, less mechanical cooling is necessary, thus saving power costs (and therefore, increasing profits!) The upper tower is roughly triangular in cross-section. However, it appears square because the left-hand portion of the building extends out into a structural mass of windows, beams, and panels. The architect originally intended on a truly "triangular" tower, but as construction progressed, the building's investors became increasingly worried about this feature. A dispute of religious fervor raged between the architect and investors over a square vs. a triangular layout. Finally, the architect suggested adding some "faux" extensions to the triangle's hypotenuse to make it seem more "square." The investors agreed to this, and then turned their attention to other projects while the building progressed. When their focus resumed on the terminal, they were shocked at the ultra-modern, deconstructionist protuberances projecting from the left edge of the building. Alas, by that time, it was too late to change things, and they had to go along with the building as designed. The architect was rather pleased with the results as the building's final incarnation exceeded even the original plans in the "visual shock" department. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This picture shows the very top of the building. Here, the chief conductor lounges in a glass control tower, taking in a view of all BrickTopia. The conductor can see the status of trains throughout the region from this perch. Of course, the same information is available via computer, but the visual confirmation is considered a wise back-up, especially given the possibility of software bugs and/or viruses in the computer system. Previous to the cargo terminal, it was necessary to ship goods directly from factories to each store and/or household. With the building's completion, it is now possible to ship from a distant factory to the terminal by train. Trucks then distribute the goods directly to consumers and stores, as necessary. As might be expected, this yields a huge savings in transportation costs. Of course, the terminal's owners are well aware of the cost savings their service provides, and as such, have no qualms with charging "small" fees for each incoming item, storage time, and local transport (by truck). New customers are given a steep discount, and are ecstatic about the cost savings. They often sell off their existing fleet of trucks as an unnecessary anachronism. As the months go on, the terminal management feels it necessary to raise fees due to "uncontrollable forces such as fuel costs, wars in foreign countries, and monetary fluctuations." Customers have no choice but to pay because they have no other way to ship their goods. Some customers of several years have even reported that their shipping costs have increased as compared to the "old way" due to repeated price increases. The terminal's management blames this on shoddy accounting that fails to take into account inflation, and that the true costs are still lower. . |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The picture below shows the area in front of the terminal. The large crane on the lower-left of the picture is used to handle particularly large cargo items. The train goes directly through the building, which facilitates easy unloading of smaller items. On the right, three bays allow trucks to receive goods and subsequently distribute them to consumer outlets.
Below, one sees the entrance of the building in greater detail.
