The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-10-27
A MILE A MINUTE.
The Oldest Locomotive on the Camden and
Amhoy does some Extra ordinary Racing
A Midnight tRunnwny-Exciting Pursuit.


The Washington and New York express, which
leaves West Philadelphia for New York at 235 a.
M, always stops at MOntua junction to change en-
gines. Tto locomotive in readiness at this point
brings the train to New Brunswick whero 1t Is re.
placed by THIRD engine, which takes the train to
Jersey city. At O'Clock yesterday morning En-.
ginc No. 81 was ready NJ Mantua Junction for the
express 7 his locomotive IL said to be the oldest
passenger engine on the road, and, though some
villa. worn with ace, exccs many Of its juniors in
both power ana speed. While waiting FOR the ex
prcss, the engineer and the fremcn having half an
hour to spare left their engine standing on the msn
track and went to breakfast. this ozark and cary
hour the only persons at the Junction were en-.
ployoes Of the company The veteran locomotive was
standing alone. LIS bright head light threw glcam
mp the track revealing distinctly far into
the darkness beyond the continuous line
Of steel over which It's ponderous wheels had so
often rolled. From its ash pan dropped the heated
oindors and from the oily elbows OF s steel iointA
quet, and the men. ~ho'c duty II TO handle the
reins OF this non monster. supped on unsuspcious
OF such contingency occurring as It's breaking
loose. The bon,ely feast disposed Of they lit their
liTes. but they had not enjoyed moro than half a
dozen whins when they were startled from their
re1erie To their establishments their engiue began
moving, and before either OF them could recover
their scl' possession " had shot ont Of sight. and
was making the most remarkable tune on record
In few more moments the express came no
hithout seconds dolay, i's eng was sent in pur
lut Of the fuHhwai locomotive. The news OF the
runaway spread condemnation among the passen-
gcrs and ANXIOUS were they on the subject that
nearly oil oi theta left their seals aud crowded
round the operator.
Kcnsington, Frankrori Breierbury and Tacony
stations were succes.vely passed by the pursuing
locomotive without discovering ANYTHING of No. 81
just bciurc reaching lloimc-burg Junction thin
streak OF sight was deserted in advance which sp.
peIicd to them like g,ry serpent shooting
over the track Tho tail OF the imaginary
serpent was soon touched, and turned out
60 be \ trail Of hot cinlcrs drOppei by
the fugitive locomotive. Believing that they were
now cose tp the latter, tl,y sackened speed until
the Telegraph poles longer looked like gigantic
lne.tooth comb. At IOncsdale, "A little beyond the
Junction the trulnt engine NHs reached. Its fires
were burned down. and it had come TO dead stop
\ comparison Of watchc shove 4 that the runaway
engine had travelled six'ecn miles in ahont many
minutes. No damage was done aud owing to the
unreasonable houi at which the event occurred
none but the railroad onicals were badly scared.
Tine engineer ana the fireman Of locomotive No. 81
at loss TO understand how the engines throttle
WAS OIenod Jlcy did not tea any person approach
the engine vet they insist tuI the engine could not
have started witaOut some mi,chievous hand being
lrst lad upon H.