The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-23
RAILROAD RACES IN ENGLAND
And Fast Runs in America-No Basis
for Comparison.

for Comparison.
rhe principal newspapers of this coun-
;ry have, of course, been greatly inter-
ested in these reports and have COM
mented upon them at length. The
most noticeable feature of their COM
ments is the anxiety manifested to
show that this excellent record of the
English roads is no great shakes after
all; that they have not beaten US, and,
anyway, if they have, We can turn
around and beat them if we have a
mind to. There is no occasion for this
anxiety. For the entire run there is
nothing in American records with
which to make 4 fair comparison; but
this lack is for weH-known reasons,
which are not discreditable- The fast
trip made by the New York Central
On Sept. II, 1891, was over a course 1O4
miles shorter, and the train was, with
out doubt, considerably heavier. More
over, only one trial was made at that
time, the object Of the experiment be-
ing accomplished the first day. 1t was
not an attempt to make the very high
est speed possible The regular runs
OF the Empire State express over the
Central are subject to similar quality
ing conditions. The Exposition flyer
of 1898 is the only regular train that
has ever been run in America WhIch
could be compared with the English
runs for so great a distance as $40
miles; but the Exposition flyer was
heavy train, weighing about two nun
dred tons, and much of the time over
236 tons, exclusive of the engine. The
fast run from Jacksonville, Fla, to
Washington on Aug &c, 1891 (forty-nine
miles an hour, while a highly credit
able performance for the roads which
made it, is not to be compared with
trips over double track lines perfect
ly signaled.
If there were any legitimate reason
for strife between English and Amerl-
can railroad men, newspapers or bet
ting men concerning the speed record,
it would be found, of course. mainly in
the differences in the construction or
management OF the locomotives. AL
other conditions are either such as can
not be changed or else are mere ques-
lions of money. An illustration Of this
is seen in the fact that the most IA
vorable course for fast running in
America. the New York Central, is
hampered by whole mile in Syracuse,
where the speed has to be reduced to
eight miles an hour, not to mention
several other similar hindrarces CT less
/ consequence. The bearing of cost is
seen in the statement that the London
and Northwestern made all other pas
senger trains clear the Scotch express
fifteen minutes and suspended night
freight trains entirely. If this latter
statement is even partly true, it means
a heavy loss. To compare locomotives
we must have full details, weight of
train, etc, and the profile OF the whole
! line. The best speed mentioned in the
English report, thirtytwO miles at
seventy-four miles an hour falls con-
siderably short of the record made by
! the Camden & Atlantic on April 81
last from Camden to Atlantic City, N.
J. This Atlantic City run was made
| by an engine with seventy-eight inch
! driving wheels. If our American edi-
tors who feel inclined to feel chagrined
| at these new English records wish to
compare mere speed figures, they
/ should emphasize this performance.
The whole run of 5S3 miles was made
| in ASK minutes. equal to 1916 miles an
hour; and distance of 1913 miles was
/ covered in 3715 minutes, or at a rate
/ of 1871 miles an hour.