The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1893-04-19
THE or. ll,oHN Rnr.r.n TRAIN.

The original 'Jonn Bull" locomotive
and two tifty.seven year-old passenger
coaches Of the old Camden and Amboy
Railroad left Jersey City last Monday for
Chicago, where the train will form con
spicuous part of the Pennsylvania Rail-
roads great exhibit.
The history OF the locomotive dates back
to period when locemotion by steam
was in the earliest age of experimentation
Fer several years previous to 1880 expert
ments attended with more or less success
had been made 10 England with locomo-
tivcs to be propelled by steam. In 1890
the 'tPlanet," constructed by George
Stephenson, was the best example OF a
machine of this character, and after wit,
Messing trial Of its powers 10 1880, Mr.
Robert L. Stevens, the founder OF the Cam
den and Amboy Railroad, placed an order
with Stephenson TO build an engine on
the same lines for shipment to this coun
try This engine, christened "John Bull
after its arrival 10 America, was complet-
ed 10 May, 1881, and shipped to Philadel-
phia, where 1t arrived in August of the
same year. 1t was then trans-shipped to
Bordentown. The boiler and cylinders
were 10 place, but the other component
parts.wer packed in boxes, and it was
with utmost difficulty that they could be
put together and adjusted by mechanics
who had never.before seen piece OF me
chanism of a similar character. Te Isaac
Dripps, young mechanic, this task was
assigned, and after much patient endea
vor he accomplished It in satisfactory
| manner.
Several weeks ago it was taken to the
shops near Jersey City, overhauled and
| placed in condition for tho most moment
GUS trip of It's eventful existence.
The John Bull weighs twenty-five
thousand pounds, exclusive OF the tender,
and thirty-two thousand two hundred in
Guiding the tender. The ordinary stand
ard passenger locomotive in use on the
Pennsylvania Railroad at the present time
weighs one hundred and seventy-six thou.
sand pounds, or more than FIVE times as
much as its original predecessor.
Hardly less unique than the locomo-
tive itself are the passenger coaches of
this historic train. Some twenty-five
years ago farmer near South Amboy
bought enc Of the discarded coaches Of
the old Camden and Amboy Railroad.
He removed 1t from Its trucks, and plant
ng 1t on posts 10 the ground, converted
1t into chicken coop. 1t served In this
capacity until few months ago. II Is
once more fixed upon its trucks and will
go to Chicago AS part Of the John Bull
train. The history of the other coach Is
not quite so romantic. 1t was found some
years ago in lumber pile In New Jersey
town among mass Of rubbish and quiet.
Iy tucked away in the Meadows shops by
far-sighted official of the company, who
foresaw that just such an occasion as this
would bring it into requisition some day.
Its peculiarly fitting thatthe crew which
Is to handle the train over the New York
Division should be selected from the vete-
rams of the service. w. L. Bailey, the
| conductor, has been passenger conductor
since 1859. Jonas Hagar, "gig-topn brake
man, was appointed TO like position Ia
l849, aud is now yard master at New
| Brunswick. Thomas Gallagher, rear
brakeman, first served In the same capac-
ity In 1849 and is now passenger con.
ductor A. S. Herbert, the engineman,
was engineer OF the "John Bull'i 10 the
early flfties and he has been running an
engine ever since. j. w. Sanford, the
| fireman, commenced his career 10 the
same capacity ia 1856, aud is now master
mechanic at the Meadows shops.
ID. Ii. Baker, car inspector, entered the
service as foreman of the Jersey City
shops in ls49, and still helds his position.
James II. Smith, acting Assistant Super
intendent pro tenn, who will direct the
running of the train, is a veteran "forty.
MINER" and has Allied nearly every posi-.
lion on the division al some time during
his fifly.four years OF service lie has
been supervisor OF the track since 1872,
and has carried of the General Managers
prize for the best section of track In al.
most every contest.