Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-05-15
THE TRAIN RACE.

THE TRAIN RACE.
Wewere on the platform at King Cross.
The evening train for Aberdeen was drawn
up ready for it's journey.
A fine train, sir, said to guard Of
another later train whom knew slightly.
"Aye, aye, sir, it is fine train, this
one. But-though say it as shouldn't
it's not the train it was a year ago, when
we used to run against the London and
Northwestern every night"
"Oh," said l, interested at once, $50
you were one of the guards in that great
race, We're you? 1t must have been ire
mepdously exciting"
Exciting, sir! Why, could tell you a
regular story about it, that night as we
ran from Kings Cross here to Newcastle
without stop. That was something like
q run, wasn't it?'
1T was, indeed, and if it Is not trou-
bling you too much, I'd like to hear your
story just while we are waiting to see the
train off. /"
II was the guard of this train on that
particular night. sir. Our usual course
was to run to York without stop, then
on to Berwick, Edinburgh, Dundee and
Aberdeen. Three nights before, though
we had gone Il large part of the distance at
80 miles an hour, the other company had
beaten us by just about five minutes.
But this night all our officials not only
hoped, but had made all preparations
both for beating the London and North
western and also breaking the record.
Il was sitting at home the day before
the eventful run was to take place, smok-
ing my pipe and thinking deeply, when /
was aroused by sharp knock at the door.
On opening 1T found tall, fair haired
gentleman of about 80, who asked smiling
ly if Mr. James--that's my name-was at
home, and if he could see him.
II informed him Of my identity and In
vited him in.
" WE'LL l have learned-by what means
need not say--what probably most Of
you on the line think is quite secret, that
there Is to be very determined attempt
by your train tomorrow night to beat the
record, as well as the other company 3
train. thought 1t as well to call and ask
your private opinion of the chances Of sue
cess, if you would not be averse to giving
me it on the Q. T. You have doubtless
heard of B. & Coz
II nodded, and he smiled again.
T" Exactly Well, we have the offer Of a
bet Of 81, 500 to 81, 500 that your train does
not beat the London and Northwestern to-
morrow night. am, of course, inclined
to accept the bet, but thought it wise just
to drop in and ask your opinion first ION
the strict @. T.), as to the chances Of your
success. reckon pony would be very
welcome, wouldn't it, for yourself, and a
tenner" for each of the otherss'
"'You can depend on lis tomorrow
night, sir, said /. I'VE have all in readi-
ness, and shall certainly do the trick. Why,
bless you-though it's strictly private
we're going to run to Newcastle without a
stop.
He had drink of whisky with me,
and then he rose to go. ooh, by the by,
said he before leaving, there's no risk OF
your having to stop on the way, suppose!
I mean for foolish passengers who might
get nervous at the speed and pull the com
munication cord, or anything of that sorti
And there is no part of the rail likely to be
blocked, as there was few nights ago at
Darlington, suppose?''
No, think both contingencies are
very unlikely, the latter especially. The
only awkward piece of line is that between
Arbroath and Montrose, where we have
only single line to work on. That nee
essarily is ticklish, but III be all right to-
morrow night.
"Amid a storm of cheers from the many
spectators on the platform we set out from
Kings Cross here for Aberdeen. Our train
consisted of the engine and tender-oul
very best, need scarcely say-with five
coaches and the guard van
For the first time there was no stop
page at York, and we rushed along to-
ward Newcastle, through Darlington and
Durham. AS you know, We always felt
uncertain about this piece of road between
York and Newcastle, the traffic is so heavy.
But on this occasion there was not the
slightest need for any diminution of speed,
and as we drew up at Newcastle platform
for ten minutes stay we were actually
five minutes before any record time for
this journey.
''All went we'll to Edinburgh, over the
Forth bridge, over the Tay bridge and
through Dundee, until we began to get
within measurable distance OF Aberdeen.
I found on referring to my watch that
now, just before entering on this piece Of
single line, we were about Is minutes be.
fore our expected time.
I'VE had gone about couple Of miles
when I fancicd felt slight slackening Of
our speed. Before another mile had been
covered this was more plainly evident, and
when heard those portentous whistles Of
the engine knew that the signals were
against us.
1.-THE train gradually slackened speed
until it came to dead stop at that wretched
signal As no notice was taken of our re-
peated whistling, was about to go for
ward myself to the signal box to see what
was the matter when I saw the siepalman