Evening journal., 1895-12-02
WHY TRAINS ARB OFTEN LATE.
EX-sUPERlNTENDENT MAcKEY Ex-
PLAINS SOME OF THE CAUSES.

Trains on q Single Track Road Must Run
Exactly on Their Schedule Time.
Accidents, Wind and Storm and Very
Heavy Travel Very Frequently Dstains
Passenger Trafio.
my train was late this morning when
left my home station, but l had an
idea that she would make it up by the
time Wilmington was reached, remarked
a gentleman to an EVENING JOURNAL
reporter aud then hs added the query
"Why Ia 1t trains are late on q single
track road and why can't they make up
the few minutes necessary to put them
on timer
The question Is one frequently asked,
and with q view to its solution the
reporter popped the same to d. h..
MSckey, former superintendent Of
operators on the Delaware road. He
said:
I've been importunsd several times
lately as to why trains are late on a
single track road, and the bsst reply
can make Is bscauss they are not on
time. The qusrist invariably replies,
Amy fool knows knows that, and then
kindly remark. we get our measure
quickly. But to the point-trsins are
scheduled with such degree OF nicety
that 1t might be compared to as
trsnomical observations, and you can
imagine what mental labor 1t requires
No indeed it's like the constitution of
these United States There are no
Conundrums in it'-If train No - leav
ing here at 13 is twenty minutes late It
left its initial point that much behind
time (bsrring any intermediate accident
or detentioD) and will continue Ia that
line to its terminal II It be New Orleans
unless it does not have to stop at all flag
stations Notice the Schedules
"Do you mean by that that the
schedules are so carefully and closely
made out that train can only run at a
certsin rate Of speed, or rather can only
cover a certain dists ce In q cert ain
timer" queried.ths .spor-er.
"Thats about 1t" was the answer.
THE days are gone by when such en-.
dearing splthets as That's q Jerkwater
Road, The Engine Is q Rattle trap, etc,
are correct, and they must now figure In
that pleasant study, Ancient History.
The equipment OF the P. R R. Is TOO
we'll known to debate on, and II one
man can't make time, they will quickly
find one who can. Therefore time Is
sacred with them, and II one msn more
thRn another observes 1t, 1t is s. M.
Provost. general manager In Philadel
phia. He goes into details severely, like
a woman cleaning house
BAT doesn't the delay Of one straln
diGadvantsge this carefully constructed
schedule2', again asked the reporter.
ITO a certain extent" WAS the reply.
Zone passenger train becoming late
effects the whole division more or less
and here is where the train receiver or
train dispatcher cuts ice by making
meeting and passing points by telegraph.
He cannot move stations and sidings up
and down like chessmen, although that
may be an American twentieth century
probability, and should he forget what
he ought to remember, q collision Is
likely to follow. This, as 3 rule, results
In death. 1 believe this is hanging
matter here, and as most communities
approve the use Of a rope, he's very
likely to get McCormick's end-the heavy
one"
II suppose little attention is paid Il
the kickers2" wAs the next question.
There isn't time or inclination to give
much attention to the chronic kicker At
every station when a train Is late they
can all give the dispatcher cards and
spades and beat him and the company Is
consigned to hades The American
railway traveller knows it all. He kicks
II the car is too hot or too cold. Othel
folks tolerate 1t, but they shouldn't b
on the earth because he has ticket anC
very often q milage book, both Of which
show money invested without getting
any return for 1t.
"You have probably noticed steam
boats vsry often fail to reach the landing
on time, with a whole river or bay 4
ride on-but that goes Accidents de-
tain, Wind and storm detains, and YER.
heavy travel detAins. These are tn
main causes Of delay"
Then with q smile the genial ex
superintendent remarked: "How's you
individual schedule2 Are you always o.
timer II so, you're q good 'un."