Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-10-14
Eng IETY MILES AN HOUR.
Remarkable Speed of the Shore Line
ExPrcss-A Kun from Boston TO PrOvi.
dence I'm Fifty-feur Minutes.
From the Boston Journal.

From the Boston Journal.
"a mile a minute is q phrase often used to
denote great speed. but there are few persons
who realize the strength of the expression.
Such speed is only attained by the fast express
trains of a wel-regulated road, while the
ordinary trains average about thirty miles an
hour. But. unusual as is that speed, it has
been exceeded by the Shore Line express on
the Boston and Providence railroad which one
day this week made one of the most remark
able runs on record going a portion of
the distance between Boston and Providence
at the actual rate of eighty miles an hour
This high rate of speed was maintained for
stretch of ten miles. and to a person
seated in the locomotive the experience was
both novel and eXhilaratin@. Comfortably en-
sconced in the reclining chairs of the parlOr cars
or seated in the ordinary coaches, the passenger
Is only conscious of the rapid speed through the
rocking of the car and the rapidity with which
objects along the route disappear, but to per-
con in the forward part of the train, the sensa-
ton is of different nature The engine seems
to fly through the air. and for the moment one
shares the feeling of the renowned Darius
Green with his ''hying machine The engine
scarcely touches the rails. and, in imagination.
glides through the air. companion of its feath-
cry deniZens. who. frightened at its approach
ny upward and are quickly left behind. unable
to keep pace with the astonishing speed But
these fancies are Tudely shaken by the sudden
joiting OF the engine as it crosses switch or
rounds curve, and with a realizing sense of
his continued sojourn upon the earth one in
Einctiyely grasps the railing for support.
Through the kindness of superintendent Fol-
som and Engineer Burnham a journal reporter
was permitted to ride upon this the fastest
train upon the road, and brief description of
the experience will not come amiss. The train
on this special occasion consisted of eight cars
heavily loaded. The first contained baggage
followed three nd
regular coaches At l O'Clock the last bell
sounded, and the reporter, after producing his
credentials, clambered into the cab. The steam
gauge Indicated 100 pounds and had there been
thermometer the heat would doubtless have
registered an equal number OF degrees The
reporter was on the point of removing his outer
garment. but desisted when informed by the
engineer that it would be needed His sugces-
fion was well timed. The train rolled slowly
TO the crossing. and then the throttle valve
was thrown half open. The increase of speed
was soon noticeable. and in rapid succession
Roxbury. BOylstOn. Jamaica Plain. Forest Hills.
And Mount Hope We're left behind. Along this
portion of the route there is q succession of
curves which render quick time an impOssi-
0llity, out after passing the aforementioned
place there is straight stretch of road over a
mile in length. and here the speed was increased
Hyde Park, seven and half miles from the
start, was passed In twelve minutes and then
with no curves for over five miles, the engine
settled down to mile minute" From Ded-
ham roads to Sharon Nights is a grade seven
and half miles long. rising forty-one feet to
the mile and as the train toiled up this inclined
plane of nearly 800 feet there was an appre-
cable slackening of the speed. you'll see
some fast time now" remarked the engineer
as he opened the throttle valve still further
and IN response TO the word the engine leaped
forward for Its wild race against time. 1t seemed
gigantic monster endowed with life. At every
pulsation of its mighty heart it made renewed
efforts to escape. We were on the down grade.
Objects flew backward with lightning rapidity.
We were plunging forward into space. To see
an object ahead was to be upon it, Behind va
the long line of cars; beyOnd-nothing. Occa-
sionally the engine would give lurch as if
gathering its force for still greater speed. But
this could not last long. Eight miles behind US
was the top of the grade. This distance had
been trayersed in six minutes East FOXbOro'
Mansfield and AttlebOro We're left in the dis
lance. We had run 33 miles in Al minutes.
Providence was ii miles beyond. and in II min
utes had reached the round-house 49,
minutes had fled. and Boston was a miles away
A delay OF a minute was caused by the required
stop at the rOund-houSc. and the train steamed
slowly into the Providence station, having made
the quickest run on record.
That's pretty good going" remarked the en-
gineer as he pushed in the throttle valve and
applied the brakes: did it shake you up much?"
The reporter could scarcely hear the question so
Intense was the buzZing in his ears but after
recovering lie found himself none the worse for
his memorable ride
us there no danger in maintaining such O
great speed lie asked of the engineer who
Wss cooily polishing the brasswork upon the
valves
Not unless something gives way" Mr. Burn
nam replied, ''for the road is well managed
miniinum.'
The locomotive that draws the cars to New
London came up at this moment: preventing
1Gr:her conversation. and. with parting nod
Engineer Burnham backed his engine into the
yard To prepare for the return trip.
The William II. Robson, the engine that
mafie THIS rapid time. has been the road
about Year. Her weight. Git is, somehow
natural TO aiiIIde to a locomotive as a female)
is seventy-fve tons She is what is termed a
lizard coaler, and consumes between three and
four tons OF coal the round trip. The drive
wheels are five feet six inches I'm diameter, and
the cylinder measures eighteen inches in diam
eter. with twenty-five inch stroke. 1t takes
several hours to obtain a good bed of Goals but
this once secured Fireman Thompson can give
his attention 10 other duties until Providence Is
reached John Buraham engineer OF this train,
Is In every way competent to fuifll the important
trust committed 10 his care and ON two OCCASIONS
Wien steady nerves. prompt action and COOL
ness We're demanded. he proved that he pos
sesse1 all On the 18th of December 1880. as
the train was nearing Forest Hills station the
parallel rod broke, and in an instant the pom
oerous bar crashed through the cab demoiish-
ing everything within reach. Burnhaln was
= severely wounded at the first blow but brayely
stuck To his post, reversed the engine applied
tue brakes, aud brought tee train 10 4 stand
still, the broken bar dashing through The cab
with every revolution of the wheels. 1t was a
month before he could again resume his post of
duty. In just recognition of his bravery the
passengers presented him gold watch and
Chain. and he also received from the Massacbu-
sets humane society silver medal. Another
accident OF similar nature once occurred at
Sharon, Int no damage was caused. These are
the only accidents which have occurred during
h1e nyc years on this train
'Gimme fye cents to buy some Bread" said
es-amp to well-dressed person passing by.