Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-02-03
THE WILD TRAIN.

Yes, sir. the boy there. though but
| five wears old, and not knowing a dash
from a dot, stands upon the compa-
ny's payroll as telegraph operator, at
fifty dollars per month. How did it
| come about?' you ask. Just wait a few
moments until my relief comes and as
we walk to the house for supper, |
will give you the story"
The speaker was an old school-friend
Of mine, whom | had hunted up after
long absence from my native city,
and found busily employed in the
train-dispatcher's Office of the -
Railroad, a. chief operator Upon his
instruments rested the cabinet photo
graph of little boy, and my remark
ing upon the smart appearance OF the
little fellow elected the. above reply
Here followed ali Introduction TO the
relief. a pleasant looking young man
of twenty-one or two, whose duty it
was to remain all night at the post my
friend was just vacating, TO whom was
given some general information as to
how the trains We're running upon his
division, and what orders had been is,
sued; then. with pleasant good night,
we were off
Now for the story" continued my
friend, as we emerged upon the street,
and turned our steps toward his home
"One year ago | was discharged
! from the very position now hold, for
having, a. was charged, caused the
wreck Of two trains at C, n small
station upon our line, about thirty
miles east of here.
You must know that all regular
trains upon our road are run upon
schedule time, or, in other words, upon
that laid down in the timetables of
the company But extras Of any sort,
or regular trains when off their sched-
ule time. must be helped along by tel
egraphic orders, issued by, or in the
name Of, the train-diSpatcher. This,
upon a single-track road, carrying 80
much traffic as ours, is constantly oc-
curing.
AS might weary you by details,
! if entered into too minute all expla-
nation OF how this was done, | will
give you the system in a. few words as
possible.
For an example: We will say the
crossing point for. No "a going west
and No. IS going east is b. Now
all trains are reported by telegraph
from each station rs they pass. We
are on the lookout for these reports,
and before us is the EdiH-,heet upon
which must be noted the time Of de-
parture OF each train from any sta
| ton. Thus we can tell. at n glance,
the position Of every train upon the
road. We will say these reports show
| No. 81, going east. to be thirty min
utes late. Since No. 81 would be
| obliged to wait at the usual crossing
point for the laggard. We give it an
order to proceed 10 C, ten miles
beyond. and cross No 35 there, thus
keeping it on time while causing no
further delay TO the delinquent. OF
course it is necessary TO notify both
trains OF the change in crossing points,
and right here is where my trouble
occurred.
One day, sitting at my Instruments,
busily employed as you saw Inc few
moments ago, discovered that freight
No. l02 was losing time. Soon it was
thirty minutes behind, and wishing TO
help along freight No. 80, which usual
push ii along to c. for crossing
Accordingly | called up D. the
next station beyond the usual cross
ing-point and upon receiving the re-
sponse went ahead with this order:
ITO Conductor and Engineer No. o.:
You Will proceed to g aud crOss No. lO2
| there. (Signedl HOBBS, Dispatcher
The next move was 70 protect them
in thus passing their usual crossing
point, by giving the same order to No
l02 at A.
Calling up A, ] said in the ci-
pher used on such occasions: IA for
No 102. which means. Put out blue
signal TO hold No. 1G2. This blue sig
| nal. flag by day and lantern by
night, conspicuously displayed in
front Of a station, means telegraphic
orders, and by this signal no train is
allowed to pass Instantly came back
the reply from the operator at A,
| 'l5 for 102
Now every operators duty is to
put out the signals before replying
with -. which means: blue signal is
displayed, and will hold the train.
You see the use of the cipher figures
is a great saving of time and space.
The most imperative ordersare issued,
and the utmost care taken in moving
trains by telegraph; and to answer
with Is before the signal is displayed
is contrary TO all rule, as in so doing
there il a chance that some duty viii
come up, in the performance of which
the signal will be neglected. until too
late.
We'll, upon receiving the assurance
that the flag was out at A, gave
the order corresponding TO the one
above. but addressed to No. 102. Thus
/ had all arranged according to rule,