The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-03-22
A GHOST TRAIN ILLUSION.
AN INCIDENT OF RAIBRoADING IN
THE UTAH DESERT.

the Sewing arnehtne Enuins on = single
Track and the Superstition and Mysti-
hcntion Among Crew and Passengers.
When the Rio Grande Western was a mar
row gauge road II was very crooked. Even In
tho Utah desert there were many curves among
the sand hills that have been piled up during
the last few thousand years. A locomotive
one of n type known as sewing machines"
because all their machinery was in sight-was
trying to make n spur for the general man
ayers special. against which she had a time
order. The time was growing alarminRly
short. and the driver OF the light engine knew
that the mar on the special. with the q. M.
behind him. would be crowdinx tho limit.
These Sewing machines were famous riders.
The springs were so light and 30 perfectly ad-
justed that one of these locomotives would
ride as easily to the engineer ms a Pullman car
does to n commercial traveller. with one seat
for himself aud another for his feet. As the
little machine rocked round the corners.
screaming at every curve, the engineer and
fireman kept a sharp lookout ahead, at the
same time counting the minutes and reckoning
the miles that lay between them and the spur.
Down the desert one of the swiftest engines
on the road was trembling away toward the
ewing machine, and at the end of each minute
the two locomotives were n mile and a half
nearer each other.
To he allowed 10 pull" the general manager
IL an honor earnestly striven for by engineers,
and when once obtained II is carefully guard
ed. Whatever record a man makes at the
head OF such a train Is sure TO count for or
against him. since he Is then directly under
the eye of the management. The chances are
always in favor of a good run. for tho train de-
catcher, with his own reputation at stake,
can be depended upon to keep the track clear.
lie will hold a passenger train ten minutes
rather than hold the special five. Another
point In favor of the special engineer is the
fact that he is due at no particular point at
any specified time, and having no time card
10 hold him down he may regulate the speed
of the train to suit himself. He is always an
experienced runner who knows the road
knows every low joint and high centre, every
curve and sag on his division-conseuuently
the officials put no limit upon the speed OF the
train. but leave 1t all to the good Judgment
of the engineer. IL was a clear. dry day In
the early autumn. the very best time of year
for n fast run. and 'Old Sam had been Eaug-
ing his speed for fifty miles back 80 as 10 hit
Coyote spur on the dot, and break the record
for fast running on the Alkali division.
BY the rules OF the road, Ave minutes were
allowed for the variation OF watches, but the
rule is not always respected. and as the man
on the special was known to be a daring driver.
the sewing machine crew saw that they were
in a close place long before the smoke Of the
approaching locomotive was seen. Now they
had barely five minutes left, and nothing for
the variation and the coveted siding four
miles away. II the opposing train failed to re-
spect the ive-minute rule. she might at that
moment be passing the spur. At last there
remained but o single mile, and only a minute
to do It in The throttle was wide open, and
the little engine was rolling so that the bell
rang continually. The fireman had put In his
last fire, and was now straining his eyes to
catch the smoke of the special. The engineer.
with his left hand on the whistle rope. chung
to the side Of the cab to keep from being thrown
out OF the right of way.
The wheels under the sewing machine were
so small that the best she could do was forty
five miles, and now when she came down to
the very last second, there was still a quarter
of n mile between her and the meeting point.
but at that moment the flying wheels OF the
special engine crashed over the switch and
shut her out. The little sewing machine. hid
among the sand hills, was straining every
nerve TO reach the passing point at which she
already overdue. The man on the special
was Just beginning TO feel sure of his position
when he rounded a curve and saw the light
engine emerging from a shallow cut. OF
course, he smut of and tried to lessen the force
Of the collision. but to stop was out Of the
question.
cial. and warned his companion, for they
were curyinG 10 the left and the driver could
short Of a miracle could prevent a dreadful
collision. and that In a few seconds time they
would all be piled up in a heap. Both drivers had
to their fremen to Jump, and the fire
men had turned to their windows. The spe.
engineer was In the act Of reversing, that
with him. The other driver only showed the
lever in. braced himself. and awaited
A man who has never lived M to what he
his last moment on earth, and sur
y,ived to tell about 1t afterward, can never
his mind, during that moment IN which ha
and listens for the swish Of the scythe.
ut such a moments; often he wastes time think
ing upon a mere trihe. Lafe Pence was in a
although he had been a Democrat and had
become a Populist. he gave. no thought to the
past sad nor the hso fhrd5u own but nut smSO to th men s :. q the
the devil was l elected for?"
The driver OF the special engine bad q boy.
home in Salt Lake, but he slipped, fell; and
seat OF his first pair of trousers. and 1T was all
80 funny that, now rs the engineer recalled the
H1rSdms'a ss healthy are tnr es he Ssi had M, ever 4ea laughed snd
in his life. The fireman. casting a farewell
glance at his companion. saw him laughing.
hui III li' iuNN ''h'l Niih' INV |
driver had suddenly become insane, but as he
ahead where death was waiting lie
was not sure that he was sane himself.
The driver. having finished his laugh and
track was clear!. He Unattached the reverse
lever and threw the engine in the for ward mo-
tlon and the speed Of the train. which had been
but little checked; carried them away down
fireman and asked; did you see any thingg"
NO" said the fireman. Did your" and the
driver said no, tried his water and opened the
and the engine whirled AVA
while the fireman returned 10 his place at the
door.
The two men scarcely glanced at each other
again until they stopped for water at Green
River, but each In his own mind was recalling
all the wild tales OF ghost trains he had ever
heard. Each was firm In the belief that he
had seen q ghost, but he would never tell it
not for lis job.
The official in the special train felt the re-
sist ,nce of the engine when the engineer shut
of and reversed, and tho general manager,
turning to the superintendent. asked, with
when did you put In that sidingY"
"WhGt. back there, that's Coyote spur. and
has been there for six months" was the reply.
II know very we'll" said the manager, where
Coyote spur Is. for we waited there fifteen min