29 November 2008

Bureau of Engraving and Printing: http://www.moneyfactory.gov/

Welcome to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s (BEP) website. We are the largest producer of security documents in the United States. The BEP prints billions of Federal Reserve Notes for delivery to the Federal Reserve System each year (the BEP does not produce coins – all coinage is minted by the United States Mint). These notes are produced at our facilities in Washington, DC, and Fort Worth, Texas. In addition to U.S. currency, the BEP produces several other security documents such as portions of U.S. passports, materials for Homeland Security, military identification cards, and Immigration and Naturalization Certificates.

Bureau of Engraving & Printing DC Facility (DCF) Washington, DC

Bureau of Engraving & Printing Western Currency Facility (WCF) Fort Worth, TX

All products are designed and manufactured with advanced counterfeit deterrence features to ensure product integrity. The BEP also advises other Federal agencies on document security matters. In addition, the BEP processes claims for the redemption of mutilated currency. The BEP’s research and development efforts focus on the continued use of automation in the production process and counterfeit deterrent technologies for use in security documents, especially United States currency.

__________

Most printing in the DC Facility is done in the Annex Building. Supplies in, new money out to the Federal Reserve distribution facilities.

One of the largest money processing facilities is the Federal Reserve Bank East Rutherford Operations Center which serves the eastern US:

http://eyeball-series.org/eroc-eyeball/eroc-eyeball.htm

A related story of presidential travel:

http://www.treas.gov/offices/treasurer/bep-overview.shtml

During World War II, then President Franklin Roosevelt had a very unique use for the Bureau's special siding and loading platform located in the basement of the Bureau's Annex Building. Because it was very difficult for the President to climb stairs, when he was scheduled to travel by train, the Presidential railroad car was shuttled onto the Bureau's siding and the President was driven by car to the Bureau where he was able to board his private car directly from the loading platform.

http://www.jdtower.org/JDarticles.htm

Mr. Roosevelt would frequently make this trip to his home in Hyde Park, New York. It typically went like this: For reasons of his disability, as well as for security, Mr. Roosevelt would board his private car at the government's Bureau of Engraving in southwest Washington. His mini-train of about three cars would then be brought over the PRR to Anacostia Junction and then up the B&O's Alexandria Branch to JD where it would be coupled to the rear of a train of about 10 other cars which had been brought over the Washington Branch from Union Station.

Old aerial photos show rail branch lines across D Street SW from the BEP Annex, an area now covered. There is a long, low building (photos below) on the site adjacent to a public parking lot, with what appear to be access doors. Whether there continues to be secret train access for the President and staff is unknown.

BEP can move supplies and money out of public sight on these rail lines, but likely moves valuables by armored truck. There are no rail lines at the Fort Worth facility.

A possibly related secret tunneling project by the US Navy, caretaker of the President, is underway nearby:

http://eyeball-series.org/usndc/usndc-eyeball.htm