Saw Shop

The Saw Shop was added to the complex in the 1900s. Inside this building was a 52-inch friction saw, which uses frictional heat to melt other materials, specifically other metals. This saw was a great piece of technology and was important to the operations of the Roundhouse.

At its fastest, the friction saw could cut through a piece of railroad track in 20 seconds. This is especially impressive when you consider that on average it would take an employee at the Martinsburg shops a minute to cut through a piece of track. While it was in operation the saw was controlled by one employee with a lever and a control panel. In between the employee and the saw was a piece of glass. 

According to stories and newspaper reports, the friction saw was so loud that it could be heard throughout the entire town. Without certain documentation, this account remains anecdotal.