Connecticut western news., 1873-04-18
Railroad Reminiscences.

Under the caption of "Railroad Remi-
 niscences," reporter of the Hartforl
 CourGnt gives an account of his ''talk with
 railroad men," which IS so interesting that
 we copy an extract or two:
 FAST RUNNING-soMR INTERESTING FIGURES.
 The conversation having turned upon
 fast running, MT. Davidson said he had
 never yet run an engine without cars at
 tached as fast as it would go. The stories
 in the papers about an engine running
 eighty or ninety miles an hour are absurd.
 We have as good engines as any road in the
 country. and there are not many that can
 run over mile minute with light train.
 An engineer who is getting all he can out
 ot his machine is often very apt to find the
 second hand of his watch to come round
 just little before the mile pole is passed.
 There is an impression prevalent that an
 engine will go faster with two or three cars
 behind just to steady it. This is a fallacy. Every ource of weight detracts from the speed. The express trains on this road used to run faster than they do now, but it didn't pay. la 1854, just before the Sun day night mail train was put on, there was an effort made by four roads forming a connecting line between New York and Boston to see how fast train could be run. The train consisted of only two cars, and no passengers were carried. On this road the engine "New York;" B. H. Hunt engineer, on the trains trial trip, ran from Springfield to Hartford, 25 in 80 minutes, three minutes being lost in slowing down over the bridge at Warehouse Point. From Hartford to Meriden, IS miles the time was p minutes, and from MeYiden tn New Haven, Q like distance, 20 minutes. This was certainly a great achiavaiI., yl for an engine with IA inch cylinder, 20 inch stroke, and 1-2 foot drive wheel. After permanent arrangements were made tor the train, each road was obliged to keep up to the time table or forfeit $500 on each occasion when it was to blame for the de- 1 lay. On the Boston and Albany road 54 miles between Springfield and Worcester were run by the engine "Whistler," 16 inch cylinder, p inch stroke, and 61-2 foot wheel. in 5s minutes. Owing to some l nishap the engine on the New York road lid not make good time. One of the best runs on the road was made by the special | train under charge of Superintendent Reed | the Duke Alexis in 1871. The ! engine Mercury" Engineer Patterson, made the run from New Haven to Meriden l n 20 minutes, and from Hartford to | Springfield in 30 minutes. Three or four l years ago the engine 70. F. Pond," drew | 'wo cars with an excursion party to the 1 Etna peat works near Meriden, IA miles 1 Il l6 minutes, using peat us fuel. Mir. 1 Reeds dummy engine is probably the fast sst on the road. It has run from New | Haven to Newington, 30 miles in Sl min ltes.
 RIDING IN A LoCoNoTIvR-A WARNING.
 IL isn't so much fun said an engineer to ide in a locomotive as some folks imagine Engineers are always pestered with per ons asking to ride with them, and to grant uch request is strictly against the rules
 remember a circumstance which happen d some fifteen years ago, which should be for the benefit of such persons.
 was running the Sunday night mail. It vas dark threatening night, and person l friend swho was going to New York sked to ride with me from Meriden to New Haven. 1 told him he wouldn't cn oy it. He said he had never rode on an ngine and would like very much to try it.
 gave him the fireman's seat, and after we lad gone piece, engaged with my duties,
 forgot all about him. Before we reached Vallingford the storm burst in all its fury. t was fearfu! night. The thunder was eafening, even above the crash and roar f the train, and the lightning played inces- anty. The train was behind, and then we 7ere allowed to make up time, and were ping at a terrific pace. It must have eemed pandemonium to him, who had ever been in a like position before But
 had no time to look after hlm. We made he run of IS miles in 25 minutes, and 7hen we reached New Haven our psssen- CT had to be taken off the seat for he was elpless. His hair, which was a jet black, { ad been turned white with fear and he ooked as if almost expiring tyoN9 error t was all he could do to rc:.in ;@s seat till be train stopped. He said he would have , iven all he possessed to be placed back in he car, and that no money would ever empt him to ride on a locomotive again. (