Evening journal., 1891-06-10
A MILE a MINUTE.


Engineer James Murphy OF the Can
greeeienAi Limited Train Breaks Al
4 Records
The fastest time ever made bv mas
sanger train over the Pennsylvania rail
road or its branches, was made bv tb
G ugressional limited express train from
Pailedelphia TO Washington. which
arrives In this city at O3 D. n. las
Monday evening
The engineer who succeeded In break
Ing all the previous records is James
Murphy. Wilmingtonian, aud the fact
has caused much comment In this city.
especially In railroad circles Murphy
Ives at No 22l Pine street, and Is one
Of the most skillful and trusted
engineers In the employ OF the company.
His engine Is No l29 and she is one OF
| the best on the road
On Monday evening the train started
ott from Philadelphia Just half hour
late There were over 100 passengers on
the train and Murphy and his fremen
realized the necessity of making up the
LOST time. Ths engine was in good condi-
ton aud as soon as the suburbs Of
Philadelphiasbegan to grow small In the
distance Murphy gave his engine her
full head
She groaned under the pressure at
hrst, but everything soon began to work
ToothlY. The passengers were at first
5 1rprised that they had TO hold on to
aeir chairs at times, and also to see the
telegraph poles sliding by the car
windows as rapidly as fence posts ay
past the windows OF an accom- aodation
train. Beyond this, however. not !
passenger realized how fast they were
rolling across the country. and that thew
were being carried through Penpsyl-
yania, Delaware and Maryland as rapidly.
4 not more 50, az any passengers ever
we're. on railroad traim
The only stops made were at this city
and Baltimore. When the big locomo
tive came to standstill at the station
hare. 1t seemed TO pant for breath for
a moment but only for moment. as the
words "all right were quickly given.
and the engine "coughed' louder than
ever as she left Wilmington IN the dis
tsnce
The perspiration dropped from Mur |
phys brow as he manipulated the valves /
and screws. and the fireman had all be /
c11ld do TO keep the pit white hot /"
The stop at Baltimore was but few
seconds longer than that made at this city |
Zoe loyal men IN the cab dismounted and |
gave their locomotive liberal supply of
'il, stCer which the start on the home
Itreti was made.
Hardly a wo'd passed between engineer
md fireman, but both, with ont stretched
leads and rapidly beating hearts. seemed
Q be wholly absorbed in their work.
When the handsome train thundered
nto the national capital and finally came
o a standstill at the station, both
ngineer and fireman looked at each
tner Ia amazement
They were but four minutes late. They
ould not behave their own watches and |
ne station time was sought This agreed
With both time pieces and the men were
onviRced
They had beaten all previous records ,
hey hadsrnn the 140 miles In two hours
nd twenty nine minutes Taking into ,
inslderation the two stops that were
4 de and the delay thus oceasioued. the ,
40 miles were run In 140 minutes or !
Ixty miles an hour The best previous
eccrd made, on this run was by Engineer
larry Sherwood. also Of this city. who
id III in two hours and thirfy-three
'iFufes or four minutes longer.