Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-01-07
THE LIGHTNING EXPRESS.


Did the reader ever ride on locomo
tive at top speed? 1t is a queer ex-
perience, especially to one not at all &C
customed 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 a moment on dark night and
look up the long line of perspective at
an on-coming engine with its blazing
signal-lantern in front, like the eye OF
Cyclops, and its roar, echoed 10y the
trembling earth like some tabled giants
breath. 1t is the very epitome of me.
chanical power harnessed to the service
of human intelligence. What frightful
means of sacrifice, what a marvellous
agent for good
Again, stand on the platform of side
station while the express train passes at
it's average speed of thirty miles an hour,
and you have another example of the
amazing power of steam. Your nerves
will lnvoluntarily contract themselves as
the train rushes swiftly by, your eyelids
will close mechanically and you almost
gasp for breath as the air-vacuum sur
TDuHuS yOut SduSCu ny 5uSh huSC anu
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 cold winters evening that
we were to start from Burlington, VT,
for Boston. The January thaw had
e.. 81
and the cold in that northern region had
been intense, bedding the frost to great
depth in the soil After purchasing our
ticket for the Lightning Express, as il
was called, and placing valise and wrap.
per safely in one of the passenger cars
we 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 su
perb 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 thorough
bred horse champing impatiently at the
bit which curbs him. The engineer anC
fireman were both in their places, quietly
awaiting the signal which should start
the train for the south. A sudder
thought struck me. / had never ridder
upon locomotive; it would be new
sensation Was it possible to do SO to
night? / asked the engineer, who shooh
his head, but still answered me pleas
antly:
"There is the Superintendent yonder
ask him"
Seeking the individual designated al
the Superintendent, was both pleased
and surprised to recognize in him an OLE
friend, with whom, years ago, had beer
on intimate terms. / finally told hin
that had a singular request to make
and expressed my desire to ride with thu
engineer. He somewhat reluctantly as
sented to my desire, but not without
numerous cautions and the remark tina
II was quite exceptional to grant such
privilege to anyone.
Walking to the side of the locomotive
the Superintendent introduced me to thu
engineer, and gave him directions to &C
commodate me as ii regarded the in
tended purpose.
Five minutes later the signal bell wa
rang, the shrill whistle sounded, steam
was gradually let on to the cylinders, ant
the train rolled out of the depot into tn
darkness. which for a moment was rem
dered more dense by contrast with tn
well-lighted depot left behind. at onc'
bestowed myself so as not to be IN TIN
way Of the engineer or fireman, AM
curiously watched the novel scene imme
diately about me, for that was all that
could possibly see.
"Never on locomotive before" sug
gested the engineer.
"Eo." Eaz
"Can't see much such night as this.
"No; it's as dark as pocket" re
piled.
"Of nice summers day it's all yer.
we'll" continued the engineer, /" but OF
dark nirht-well, / don't think it's yer.
jolly.n All the while he was lookinI
straight ahead, with his hands on tn
valves to shut off steam and TO whistle
"down brakes" at an instant's notice.
"How far ahead can you seer
asked.
About a couple of rods such nigh
rs this, unless strong signal lantern !
shown; then we can see farther.
1.-TWO rods would be of no real advan
tage il we were to encounter an obstacl
on the track" suggested.
swell, no; you can't stop an expires
train much inside of quarter OF MI
with the style of brakes we now nave.
SAY, that's it. You require NOR
powerful sort of brake; is that what
understand you to meany
Exactly; one that will act with grea,,
or power, and yet not bring train up a.
standing, rs it were. That wouia .
almost as bad as to run into an opJec
dead ahead" replied the engineer :.
Something of the sort will be 10
vented >,