The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-06-19
FIRST TRAIN GOES.
Great Northern Begins Through
Passenger Service.
NO DELAY IN STARTING IT.
How Ixprsss Kates were Reduced
Change In Distributes Of Coast
Business-A Lying Picture.

The first through passenger train to run
over the Great Northern railroad from
Seattle to ST. Paul. left the depot. at the
foot Of Marion street. at s:i5 o'clock yes
terday morning, only fifteen minutes be-
hind time. amid the cheers Of the onlook-
ing crowd. and was welt loaded with
passengers.
The tram is due in St. Paul at 7:l5
O'Clock on Wednesday morning. the run
ming time being sixty-nioe hours and fit
teen minutes. with allowance for the diff
ference of two hours between the two
cities. The road is in good condition all
the way across the country, particularly
through the mountains. 1t has light
grades and long curvature. and SO there is
no fear that trains will fail to make sched-
ule time; in fact, il would be an easy mat
ter to still further reduce the running
time, and no doubt this will be done when
the track is seasoned by . years traffic
and the new engines are worn down to
their bearings. The first west-bound train
left st. Paul at 7:45 O'Clock last night, and
will arrive here at 5:45, on Wednesday
evening. its running time being seventy
two hours.
The train consisting of the equipment
for thi, train arrived in the city a few
minutes after 6 o'clock, and it was imme-
diately prepared for its return trip to st.
Paul. 1t was hauled by Brooks CONSOLE
dated engine No. 665, and consisted of
baggage car, two coaches. a dining car and
sleeper. The engine was brand new.
and though it il fine one and we'll
adapted for the work. it did not steam
well. and frequently stopped to steam up
on the east side of the mountains. The
poor quality Of the coal used, which came
from Sand Couiee, Mont. is also largely to
blame for this trouble. The result was
that it was lO:40 o'clock on Saturday
night before the train started over the
switchback, and as the entire crew was
new on the road. it was not considered
safe to make fast run. L. II. Griffith
and Mayor A. Z. Pretty, Of Ballard, men,
bers of the committee which went to
represent Seattle at the st. Paul celebra-
ton: Henry Hewitt, OF Tacoma, and a
Posr-INrKLLIGENcxR representative were
on board the train. Though the time was
but short. the train was gotten ready
quickly for its first run on schedule
time, and was only fifteen minutes late
in starting. 1t consisted of the same cars
as had a rived in the morning and was
hauled by the same engine. which had in
the meantime been put in good running
order, so that it made the trip to Everett.
thirty-three miles. in one hour and four
minutes. It was almost loaded with pas.
sengers. about twenty Of them going
through. and E. o. Graves and c. H. Kit
finger went to meet the first west-bound
train and return on it Mr.. and Mrs. +.
f. Blaine were among the passengers, and
are going to Chica.o. There was quite a
crowd at the depot to see the train start.
and it gave shout as the engine pulled
out.
The crew is entirely made up of new
corners to the state, who will make their
homes either at this city or Spokane.
They are: Engineer Duffy. Conductor J.
NJ. Turner. and Brakemen ]. S. Allen and
p. +. Stuckman.
The train which left yesterday was made
up Of old equipment, IS none Of the new
cars have yet arrived. The first west
bound train, which will arrive here at
5:45 o'clock Tuesday evening, will consist
entirely of new cars, built with the last
improvements.