Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-07-15
QUEEN VICTORIA.
The Maximum Rate of Her Special Trains
l. SO Miles an Hour

Adverting to the recent opening Of the
Manchester canal b. Queen Victoria, the
Manchester Guardian tells the following
particulars with which her Majesty's spe-
cial train is handled BY the railroad ON
Gals:
Several European monarchs-notably the
Car and the German EmperOr-posses
trains that are sumptuous in their APP
pointments; but the queen. who has du-
ring her long and prosperous reign been
the recipient OF many rare gifts. and f.
supposed 10 possess everything, does not
own a train. She really owns only two
saloons-one a bed-chamber. and the other,
to use n homey phrase. sitting COON.
They arr thicky carpeted. upholstered in
figured silk, well furnished and very
comfortable They are twenty years old.
Her Majesty has grown accustomed In
them, and though the London and North
western would he only too pleased 10
design and construct Queens train,
luxurious as art and constructive skill
could make it, she prefers the old coaches,
with their restful seats and folding steps.
The Queen, when she travels thinks more
OF the security of the line than the adOrn-
ment Of the couch on which she reclines.
Exceptional precautions are taken all
along the track 10 guard her from accl-
dent TIL tive-superintendent Sc
lects the engine. lie places on it his
most experienced driver. \ pilot engine.
with firm, cautious man. well
acquainted with the road. precedes the
royal train. ON her journey by the
west-coast route no fewer than 300 tele-
grams are sent from point to point
heraldins her approach. No train IS
allowed to cross the main line for half an
hour before the tine fixed for the Queen
to pass: the gates at the level crossings
are locked. shuntns operations are sds-
pended and an army Of platelayers are on
duty--on the alert to remove any OBJ
struction from the line. There Is in the
history Of every railway company many
a story Of hairbreddth escape that -
jealously guarded from the goSs!plns
world, but the London and Northwestern
have. so far as the Queen is concerned,
made travelling as safe as Is possible
with human forethOusht and steady, de-
voted work. Her Majesty declines 10 PER
nit faster pace than thirty-six miles an
hour. but she thoroughly appreciates the
efforts on train and line 10 secure her
pleasant jOurneyng, and two years ago
presented Mr.. Neele. the superintendent.
Il Ginning clock, "in recognition or the
care and attention he had given 20 her
comfort and safety when travelling on
the London and Northwestern for the
past thirty-one years" II must be re-
corded that the Queen is not selfish III
this matter. She gives thought TO the
safety OF her travelling subjects, ana III
1861 sent letter TO the directors oil the
various companies urging them 10 con
slider every means Of guarding against
accident. 1T Is not" she wrote, Tor her
own safety that the Queen has "isheu
to provide In thus calling attention 10
the late disasters Her Majesty Is aware
that when she travels extraordinary pre-
cautions are taken. But II Is on account
Of her family. Of those travelling upon
her service. and Of her people geheralis
that she expresses the hope that the
same security may be insured lot az.
as is 80 carefully provided for herself