The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-01-07
THE LIGHTNING EXPRESS.


Alfred CtowYuiH.
THE LIGHTNING EXPRESS.
Did the reader ever ride on a locomO
tive at top speed? 1t is queer OK
pcrience, especially to one not at all &C.
cuS,omcd to that peculiar mode of trav-
cling; and is calculated, under some Cir
cumstances, to try the nervous system to
its utmost tension. If you would realize
the power and irresistible force of a
locomotive under Roadway, step on the
rails for moment on dark night and
look up the long line of perspective at
an on-coming engine with its blazing
signallantern in front, like the eye of
Cyclops, and it's roar. echoed by the
trembling earth like some tabled giants
breath. 1t is the very epitome of me-
Chanical power harncssed to the service
of human intelligence. What a frightful
means of sacrifice, what marvellous
agent for good!
Again, stand on the platform of a side
station while the express train passes at
its average speed of thirty miles an hosr,
and you have another example of the
amazing power of steam. Your nerves
will lnvoluntarily contract themselves as
the train rushcs swiftly by, your eyelids
will close mechanically and you almost
gasp for breath as the air-vacuum sur
rounds you, caused by such huge and
rapid atmospheric displacement.
But it was upon an engine itself that
the experience of which We write was
gained, and though some years have now
interviewed it is as fresh in the memory
as though it had occurred but yesterday.
1t was on a cold winters evening that
We were to start from Burlington, Vt,
for Boston The January thaw had
failed to put in an appearance that year,
and the cold in that northern cFgion had
been intense, bedding the fret to a great
depth in the soil After purchasing our
ticket for the Lightning Express, as it
was called, and placing valise and wrap.
per safely in one of the passenger cars,
VIC had strolled about the depot until we
finally paused beside the large and pow
erful locomotive which was to draw the
train on its downward trip. 1t was SUI
peril piece of mechanism, with its brass
mountings as bright as patient toll and
incessant care could make them, while
the iron and steel parts conveyed sense
of enormous strength even at glance.
The huge engine seemed almost en-
dowed with animal life as it paused there
with restrained power, like a thorough
bred horse champing impatiently at the
hit which Curbs him. The engineer and
fireman were both in their places, quietly
awaiting the signal which should start
the train for the south. A sudden
thought struck me. | had never ridden
upon LOCOMOTIVES; it would be a new
sensation Was it possible to do so to-
night: asked the engineer, who shook
his head, but still answered me pleas
antly:
There is the Superintendent yonder
ask him."
Seeking the individual designated as
the Superintendent, was both pleased
and surprised to recognize in him an old
friend, with whom, years ago, had been
on intimate terms. l finally told him
that had singular request to make
and expressed my desire to ride with the
engineer. He somewhat reluctantly as
scented to my desire, but not without
numerous cautions and the remark thai
it was quite exceptional to grant such {
privilege to anyone.
Walking to the side of the locomotive
the Superintendent introduced me- to tho
engineer, and gave him directions to &C
commodate me as it regarded the in
tcrled purpose.
Five minutes later the signal bell was
rang, the snrll whistle sounded, steam
was gradually let on to the cylinders, anC
the train rolled out of the depot into the
darkness, which for moment was rem
dercd more dense by contrast with the
well-lightcd depot left behind. at onct
bestowed myself so as not to be in the
way of the engineer or fireman, ant
curiously watched the novel scene imme
diately about me, for that was all that
could possibly see.
"Never on a locomotive before?" sug
gested the engineer.
mo"
Cant see much such a night as this
No; it's as dark as pocket" re
piled.
"Of nice summers day it's all very
well, continued the engineer, but of :
dark night well, l don't think it's very
jolly" All the while he was looking
straight ahead, with his hands on thu
valves to shut off steam and to whistle
"down brakes" at an instant's notice.
"How far ahead can you seer"
asked
about couple of rods such night
as this, unless a strong signal lantern il
shown; then we can see farther"
1.-TWO rods would be of no real advan
tage if we were to encounter an obstacle
on the track" suggested.
"Well, no; you can't stop an express
train much inside of quarter of mile
with the style of brakes we now have"
powerful sort of brake; is that what
understand you to mean?"
Exactly; one that will act with great
er power, and yet not bring train up al
standing, as it were. That would b.
almost as bad as to run into an objec
dead ahead" replied the engineer.
Something of the sort will be in
"Oh, yes, one of these days I've Away
said So"
In the meantime the Lightning EXPIRES
was rushing on its way straight into til
intense darkness, which, if possible, wa
now rendered more apparent by feec
fall of snow, which was packed all abou
US by reason of the great speed at whic
we were running. l could not but a.
mire the perfect GOODNESS of the two me
who were my companions, though m
own senses were in q constant state {
nervous excitement. The intense darl
ness, the binding snow into which "
drove, as it seemed to me not KNOWN
whittier, kept my senses on the alert.
could not divest myself of the feelin
that there was perhaps something in tn,
darkness just ahead which we were sui
to run into and wreck the train. FINAL
my excited brain began to recall all Il
railroad accidents of which ! had ev'
read or heard, until, as I had just arrive
at the height of miserable anticipation,
suddenly exclaimed: 7 ~.
What is THAR" on hearing somethiu
like aprolongsd whistle ahead,
Fr
rz