The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-04-06

HIS PRAISE OF THE PENNSYLVANIA NEW
YORK AND CHICAGO LIMITED.

The following extract from an Englisl
gentleman's letters to friend in London
shows him to be a keen observer, an,
demonstrates his appreciation of Ameri
can railway methods as he found thei
best exempli6catinn on the Pennsylvania
Railroad
"Having determined to go to th,
West, cast about for the best mean
of reaching that great land. There ar,
no Bradshaws in America, but ever,
railway company Issues in the mos
profuse quantities timetables anG
guide books to their lines, and tn,
booking agents, who seem to be ub
iquitons as well as omnipresent, ar,
exceedingly accommodating in furnish
ing every detail of information {
tourist would need. ! bethought m,
OF conversation had had on boart
the steamer with clever young Amer
lean, IN which he hal spoken very
warmly the praises of the Pennsylvania
Route, and especially of their very ex
cellent trains between New York and
Chicago. l followed up this clue, and
found that the piece de resistance ot
their service was the New York and
Chicago Limited, train in whose
description the agent grew eloquent.
The result was that / booked for it
and am free to confess that never did
a wiser thing. In order to thoroughly
appreciate the usefulness of this train
you must know that it supplies every
thing one needs to foster enjoyment
and make the time pass pleasantly. Its
carriages are so wonderfully construct
ed that they provide food, lodging, and
entertainment. My train was to leave
New York at 9 O'clock in the morning,
so arose at 8, dressed, and proceeded
to the station. AT few minutes past
9 the wheels began to revolve, and we
were off through the low lands of New
Jersey. The fresh morning air had
given an edge to my appetite, and in
the wake of the attendant, whom the
Americans, with their nice sense of the
fitness of things, call porter, because
he carries your baggage npon the slight
est encouragement l entered the
dining car, and was served with break
fast. The designation dining car is
a misnomer. l wouli suggest that the
Pennsylvania Railroad people change
it to 'refectory.' The main saloon of
the carriage is fitted with tables, ranged
on either side, with an aisle in the
middle The tables seat four persons,
and are covered with the snowiest Of
linen, the brightest plate, and dainty
china. The menu covered the entire
range Of American breakfast dishes,
and my selections were promptly
served, beautifully cooked, and, l can
assure you, heartily relished The nov
city of the situation lent an added zest
to the meal, and when had concluded
my repast and tipped the sable servitoG
he volunteered the information that we
were passing through Trenton, fifty
seven miles from New York. Fifty
seven miles between the fruit and the
finger. bowl was not by any means
bad start, Irehected.
"After breakfast l wandered into,
the smoking room, and here another
surprise awaited me- Instead of a
smoking room, Ifound a most pleas.
antly fitted lounging apartment. Com.
Portable arm chairs, inviting divans,
and books, newspapers, and periodicals
were ready at hand lighted my
pipe and seated myself by one of the
wide windows to read in the intervals
between my peeps out on the rapidly
passing scenery. 1t was without doubt
the pleasantest morning l ever spent
on the metals Beside the readers of
the newspapers and the books, which
the library afforded, some busy people
were writing at the desks, a party were,
playing cards, and others mapping
The touch of an electric bell brings the
porter to your chair, and be
will fetch you from his buffet anything
you may desire to drink. / called for
. pint of Bass and had it served in a
In passing out Of the smoking
Dom observed an apartment which
lad previously escaped my observation,
md upon entering found barber
having passenger with the utmost
ase, though the train was rushing on
It rate Of at least fifty miles an hour.
n another part of the room there was
bath tub, well supplied with water
rom reservoir above. l made a
mental note of these novelties and de-
ermined to enjoy the new experience
hey suggested. When | reached the
where my berth was
Dcated, found the carriage w-ll6lled
With people-gentlemen ladies', and
They were all comfortably
isposed, the ladies reading orichatting
nd the children romping around in
leeful happiness. The train, | neg
scted to mention, is composed of
'estibule cars This is most ingen
,us arrangement. The entrance to
american railway carriages is made
rom the ends, and the platform, which
xtends ont beyond the body of the
ar, is enclosed and fitted so closely to
lat of the preceding car that one
asses through the 'yestlbule' almost
'ithout knowing it. The aggregation
cars making up the train is to all
ractical purposes, one ,ong carriage,
ivided into compartments, 1t is
lost excellent device, and not only
dds greatly to the comfort of travel,
ut imparts steady motion, and, !
m told, adds greater strength in case
{ accident.
"Lupch and dinner were as satisfact-
~ as the breakfast, and / retired for
he night. / slept the sleep Of happy
nd contented map. Arising early the
ext morning, enjoyed most refresh.
'g bath, was shaved bv the knight of
he razor, and reached my hotel in
hicago a short while after nine o.
ock, as fresh as IL | had passed the
ight in my own rooms.
"rhe Americans are great travellers,
nd this Ia the way they travel
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