New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-03
FAST TINE TO THE CATSK{LLS.
THE NEW TRAIN SERVICE MAKES TIN
rRANsrT TIME LESS THAN FIVE HOURS


Just now thousands Of the Inhabitants Of the
Greater New-York are looking forward TO their An.
nual outing and perhaps puzziins as to where 70
spond H. Some have probably settled the question
and arc simply awaiting the time when they can 90
TO some fayorts resort To those who know the
beauties Of the catskill Mountain region. It's pure
dry bracing ar. excellent spring water and tho
many cosey cottages. spacious farfnhouses or more
con,modous summer hotels further exordium 10
necessary But delightful a. this region IT, II has
always been Handicapped by It's distance from the
large cities.
This year. however IN. conditions have materially
changed. Though the geographical location Is the
Same and the mountains are as many leagues from
the sea as ever better railroad facilities make the
distance seem less II once required nearly Two
days 10 reach the Catskills from New-York. Now
the time has been reduced 10 less Tran fourth Of
a day, the actual time consumed IN transit between
Weehawken and Hobart. on the western slope OK
the Catsk,lls being four hours ara nfty MIN
utes A Tribune reporter was OH the first train OK
the new service which was inaugnrated by the West
ghoro and Ulster and Delaware railroads Monday.
The train Is called the RIP Van Wrinkle Flyer"
On this trip tho train was ten minutes late IN start.
ing but the first station, Cornwall was reached on
time showing that the limit OF speed mad not been
scheduled At Newburg the train waited 'or lime,
and when Il arrived at Kingston II was about two
minutes ahead Of time. little delay occurred here,
owing 70 the fact that this was the first day Of the
service and the tra.nmen not thoroughly IA
nillar with their duties. the train was seven
minutes late leaving on the Ulster and Delaware.
Superintendent Coykendall was present, and though
many Of the passengers were greatly interested. Il
Is safe to say that ne was the most anxious person
present. Wagers were freely offered among the 10
passengers that the run over the mountains would
rot be made according 10 schedule. and when The
start was made party Of Newly wao were
familiar with the heavy grades and sharp curves
agreed that the train would be az eas, nali-nour
late In reaching Summit Station the highest point
over which the road passes In this they were mis-
taken The company recently purchased a new Sky.
ton locomotive OF the best type. and for the last
two weeks mad been quietly experimenting FOR ne
purpose OF learning iis speed possibilities.
competent engineer at the throttle. and one Of
the Oldest conductors the road had charge Of the
train The managers not thanking on pre-
d.ctions but what they had accomplished before
the ne" schedule was prepared. MI coyk.niaA t.it
certain the run would be maze Watra IN marc, ns
the flying mile posts. Wnen the first station was
qae s he Oh e saw ha o. no
never can be made up isn't always true in rail-
The next station Pine HILL where many well.
known New-Yoraers have summer cottages. IS III.
Of the still incredulous travellers were sayinst
Just wait III tae MI is reached: But the noun.
train was on Inc Nothing happened 70 break the
monotony Of arriving at and departing from sta
tons exactly on time. III the reporter after con-
ratulat!ng Mr. CoykenGa the success ot the
new train service. stepped of at his own home ex-
actiy four hours AMI ffiyiAree minutes after leav-
ing WeehaWken. TINS included short stops at Corn
wall and NewoIrg seventeen minutes al Kingston,
and stops on the Ulster AMI Delaware. The
actual running time - the train was four hours
and the distance travelled ia miles, or forty-ons
niles hour. For about fourteen miles the
Ulser and Dea the grade is from 50 10 IA feet
mile. and from forty 70 sixty foot gradients are
common. Besides these mpedlments to speed. there
many eight and ten degree curves over
than half the distance on the mountain track the
Il ~
hour. Taking into consideration all the conditions,
the OF this train is a feat 10 be proud OF. and
IL worthy OF note evidence OF the progress Of the
in which We live. The train has been making IL
schedule time regularly since