This central station is located on the left bank of the Seine, close to the fortifications, opposite Vincennes and not far from the terminal stations of the Orleans and the Paris, Lyons, and Mediterranean Railways; the plan, Fig. 1, shows the position. The works are separated from the river by the quay, over which a bridge will be constructed for the transfer of coal from the landing stages belonging to the company, into the works; as will be readily seen from the plan, it would be quite easy to run junction lines to the two adjacent railways, but with all the advantages given by water carriage, it was considered unnecessary to incur the expense. The river also affords a constant and unlimited water supply, so that none of the difficulties existing at St. Fargeau Station in imperfect condensation and cooling will be met with. The new installation, called the Central Station of the Quai de la Gare, is laid out on a very large scale, the total generating energy provided for being no less than 24,000 horse power; of this it is intended that 8,000 horse power will be in operation this year, and an extension of 10,000 horsepower in 1892; the power now in course of completion comprises four engines of 2,000 horse power each. Four batteries of boilers will provide steam for these engines. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 show the first section of the installation now in progress; the four groups of engines (three-cylinder condensing) are shown at 1, 2, 3, and 4; the four groups of boilers ranged behind them at F, F; the feed water heaters belonging to each group at V V. [Illustration: COMPRESSED AIR STATION ON THE QUA DE LA GARE, PARIS. (FIG. 2,3,4)] The end of the building abuts against the Seine, and the position of the water conduits for inlet and discharge are indicated at C and A respectively. The installation, when completed, will include very extensive arrangements for transporting and storing coal, and the interior of the boiler houses will be furnished with an overhead system of rails and carriers for handling the coal automatically, as far as possible. All the principal mains and steam pipes are made in duplicate, not only for greater security, but in order that each set of engines and boilers may be connected interchangeably without delay. The Seine supplies an ample quantity of water, but not in a condition either for feeding the boilers, for condensation, or for the air compressors. [Illustration: THE NEW COMPRESSED AIR STATION AT PARIS. (FIG. 5, 6)]