The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-05-21
RAILROAD RACKET.
New Passenger Locomotive ON the
Rock Island ROad-.C Change In Time
Tables Railway Bric.a.Brac.

The largest passenger locomotive that
ever hauled train on the "Great Rock
Island route arrived from Chicago yes
terday. and will hereafter be used in con-
slant service in the passenger runs be-
tween Chicago and this end of the divis-
ion. The monster is No. 21-taking the
number of an old one that has been
wrecked by the company--and is one of
six the company is building for hauling
its great passenger trains between Rock
Island and Chicago. The cylinders are
II inches in diameter with "a inch stroke,
five feet eight inches in diameter. her
boiler straight, with "a inch shell--six
inches larger than those now in use, The
ports from the steam chest to the cylin
der are much larger. The locomotive
stands high-much higher than any of the
present passenger locomotives. The
weight is $500 pounds, exclusive of ten
der, which weighs $500 pounds. She is
relied upon to haul IA to 16 cars as regu-
lar train as easily as the present locomo>
tives haul 10 to 12 cars, the usual express
train on the Chicago and Rock Island run
nowadays. She is monster, as well
as beauty without ornament, and it is
believed she will accomplish all that is
Expected of her.
A change in the time table of the Illi-
nois division of the c., r. /. & P. is soon
to be made, but the effect will not be felt
here, or any place west of the Mississippi.
All trains will leave Chicago later. the
day trains at p. m. instead of at noon as
heretofore. while the evening trains will
also leave the Garden city an hour later,
Geneseo is the first place east of here
where the new card will be noticeable.
One of the veteran engineers who lives
in this city is Mr.. Frank Bliss, of the c.,
M. & st. P. road, who pulls. the mail
train from here to Savanna and back each
day He has followed the life of a rail-
roader for the past twenty years, and
strange to say, has served only one COM
pany-the c., NJ. s. St. P This simple
fact rebounds more to the credit of Mr.
Bliss than anything we might say in his
behalf. He first went on the
road in so, while a very young
man-so young indeed that he
was not allowed to enter the army, al
though he made application to enlist as a
Isojer boy. He served short time as
fireman, when he was given an engine.
He pulled freights for about three years,
when he was given hight passenger
run, and subsequently the day run from
Racine to Savanna. About eleven years
ago he moved to this city, changing runs
with Mart German. Mr.. Bliss is still in
the prime of his life, and his numerous
friends hope that he will continue to
drive the 253 along 1.-THE valley" for
many years to come.
1t is understood in railroad circles that
a new time card is soon to go into effect
on the Racine and Southwestern division
of the Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul
No official announcement of this has
been received at the offices In this city
however, but il is thought considerable
change will be made in the arrival of the
morning trains.
The interior decoration of the ladies
waiting room at the upper depot was
commenced this morning by the specia
artists from the company's Chicago shops
The walls are of lavender color with darl
brown border. while the ceiling is of {
darker tint
c. A. Florence, formerly of Rock ISL
and, but now of the land department Of
the Illinois Central road, was in the city
this morning Mr. Florence left Rock Isl
and six years ago, poor boy, and is nov
worth something in the neighborhood o
$4,000
A large excursion party went west OF
the Chicago. Rock Island & Pacific road
last night. The excursionists are bount
for northern Iowa, Northwestern Nebrss
ka and southwestern Minnesota on lane
exploring trip.