The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-03
RIDING In THE CAB
An Exciting Journey From Butte to
MisSOula in the Dark.
MAKING UP THE LOST TIME
IL Was a Pretty Run and the "Stand-
ard" Reporter Who Rode With
the Engineer Tells of
His Experience.

Mssoula, May 2.-The present fast
trains on the Northern Pacific road are
the fastest that have ever run on this
division and 1t is a matter of surprise
that they are running so close to the
schedule time. The only time that
there has been any delay in the SER
vice was one morning when the west
bound train was delayed at Garrison
to make connection with the stub train
that runs by way of Helena. With
that exception the trains have come in
to Missoula on time and there has
been no accident. The run is a fast
one and is said to be as fast as the
road win stand with its present steel
and road bed. 1t is certainly fast
enough in the opinion of a Standard
man who made the trip from Butte to
Missoula on this train in the cab of
engine No. 421 with Bob Rogers at the
throttle. There is no need Of any fas-
ter time than is made by this train.
that is the idea of the Standard man,
at least.
1t was s15 o'clock Thursday morning
when the reporter climbed into the cab
at the Montana Union station and
showed the engineer his permit to
make the run on the engine. The pa
per man was made welcome and was
given a seat behind the engineer,
where he could see all that was going
on. That was not much for the morn
ing was as dark as only stormy
morning in Butte can be. Back on the
platform there were a few dim lights
moving hurriedly back and forth as
the trainmen made haste to get the
train ready for the start. Down the
track in front could be seen a narrow
path of light where the rays of the
headlight pierced the darkness. This
only served to make the surrounding
darkness more intense and the dots of
light, red and white, that told the To-
cation of the switches were like sleepy
stars twinkling through the smoke and
the mist of the snow storm that was
passing over the city. 1t was not an
inviting prospect and the reporter Won
dered how the train would be able to
find its way through the darkness and
the fog. His speculations were inter-
rupted by the clang OF the bell in an
swer to the toot Of the little air whistle
In the front Of the cab that told that
all was ready on the train and the
start could be made
I'VE are 20 minutes late" was the
remark of Bob Rogers as he opened
the throttle and the train began to
make Roadway into the darkness.
Wen have to go some to get you to
Missoula on time, but l guess we can
make it," Then the throttle was given
another bit of a pull and the big 421
ploughed out through the shadows of
the yards and past the shelters whose
lights made the way all the more diff
cult TO see and made the reporter won
der why Bob did not stop and see II
he was on the right track. A glance !
at him. however, was reassuring. He |
was leaning out OF the cab window and |
was as Indifferent as If II were midday |
instead of o'clock on a stormy morn |
ing. Slowly and steadily the engine |
pulled it's way along until the last of |
the shelters were passed and the train |
pulled out into the open country. Then |
the work began. A little at a time the /
steam was Increased as the throttle |
opened wider and in a few minutes the |
motion of the huge engine told that a |
fair rate of speed had been attained. |
There was some bad track at intervals /
that had to be watched carefully and |
the train did not run fast until ii was
behind. Then there was a quick squirt /
TO the junction at Silver Bow a brief |
pause as the conductor William Rey-
nolds ran into the station and regis
tered. and the signal to go ahead
II was smooth sailing now. The or
ders in the engineers pocket warned |
him TO be cautious over a bit of track
where there were some repairs in pro-
gress, but with that exception every
thing was favorable for a good run to
Garrison.
The run from Silver Bow to the can
yon was made quickly and without in 4
cident. The darkness was so intense
that none but the practical eye of the
engineer could see anything that was
ahead Nainly the reporter tried to
catch a glimpse of some familiar OBJ
Ject, but ii was all in vain. out i'm
front of the engine was the narrow
streak Of light from the reflector in
front Of the engine and that was all.
The track was good and the train sped
on. The rate of speed seemed great TO
the reporter as he sat up behind the
engineer. but the latter said that IL
was not more than 80 miles an hour.
Wait till we get TO some good track"
was the reply TO the suggestion of the
reporter that the train was going fast
enough. So the train went on into the |
Silver Bow canyon. There was little !
difference at first, only that il was a
little darker. if anything, than II had /
been in the open country. After a bit
IL became lighter as the sky in the |
east began To get gray and once in a
while a glimpse was afforded Of the |
rugged walls OF the canyon. Now and !
then one of the overhead crossings OF
the Butte. Anaconda & Pacific railroad
would flash into sight as the rays from
the headlight struck them and thav |
seemed so low that il looked as If they |
would scrape the roof Of the cab and |
the reporter involuntarily lodged But |
there was always room enough for the
engine and the canyon was passed in
safety. AS the train left the narrow
walls Of the pass through the hills. the
engine was quickened a little and the |
train fairly few across the plain II |
was better than horse race this
speeding against time, and as the mo-
tion Of the engine quickened IL was
more exciting.
THE Standards are waiting for US"
said Rogers. as the train rounded the
bend above Stuart. lie said that he
could see the light OF the lantern car
ried by the Standards messenger at
the Stuart station, but the reporter
could distinguish nothing. The train
fairly flew TO the station where the pa
pers were waiting and IL was not long
before the brakeman was at the switch
Of the Anaconda branch and the men