Rail passenger traffic was double that of the active freight traffic and required a large footprint on the commune. "Aigrefeuille" quickly became a major railway centre with workshops for maintenance and repair of locomotives in the "roundhouse", a large semi-circular building housing the steam locomotives. This function of a junction and railway depot was completed by the installation of a gas plant and a gasometer followed by a water tower. The station at "Aigrefeuille" was particularly busy and important. It had three waiting rooms, a buffet, and even a library. It quickly became a new place of entertainment for the commune.