Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-24
FLYING WELSHMAN"
A RIDE IN THE ENGINE CAB OF ONE
OF ENGLAND'S
VERY FASTEST RAILROAD TRAINS.
Astonishing Speed of Over n Mile
Minute Most OF the Time, Which Is
an Extraordinary Averase-In Two
Famous Tunnels.
Correspondence of the Dispatch)

the engine cab Of one Of England's very
fastest trains, the Flying Welshman,'
the fame OF which has extended around
the globe. 1t Is rarely that a cores
pondent is permitted on an engine IN
England, and as this is the frst record
OF Impressions OF how II feels to whirl
over the rails behind this English EN-
plre state Express" 1 give them for
what they are worth, for the benefit OF
Americans who may have the pleasure
some day Of being pulled behind this cele-
brated engine.
I stepped upon the up platform OF the
long station Of Newport, Monmouthshire,
on a certain morning lately, armed with
an "englne pass" to ride upon tho foot
plate Of one II the finest express trains
in the world. The hour was 10 a. NJ;
tie London express was not booked to
depart for another Is minutes, and the
station was almost deserted.
had learned, however, that the engine
upon which 1 had permission TO ride
picked up the train at Newport, on its
arrival from Cardiff, and even whilst
was making inquiries as to her where
abouts. the magnificent locomotive came
leisurely gliding up the middle way or
the station, and halted directly abreast
Of me. with the safety-valve blowing on
nriously and the whole massive shape
thrilling with the Titanic forces pent up
within her.
My delighted gaze was cut short by the
driver waving his hand In recognition,
and reckoning me to come on board.
with a
sense OF penalties mot exceeding 40 shil-
llngs and costs" 1 dropped on to the
Nne, and stepping over to the engine,
climbed up on TO the footplate
Several tons Of damp coal were heaped
into q big mound I'm the tender at my
back; the ruddy furnace roared in muflled
thunder betwixt the half open
doors; the water dubbed and seethcd
In the gauge glass; tho injector which
at that moment was on, uttered deep,
resonant, racking graons; the steam
from the safety-yalye, that was blow
ing off at a pressure OF lG0 pounds on
the square inch, Kissed Economically;
everything looked business Ike.
Slowly at first, with rhythmic beat and
measured putting from the short funnel,
we slipped along. crossing the bridge
which spans tho Usk, and leaving the
smoky Monmouth town behind us. Then
the pulsation began TO increase as he
driver opened out the throttle; the low
burr OF the wheels rose gradually into
mufned roar; the engine commenced
swaying with an occasional quick, side
ways lurch as she rounded a curve; the
loud kissing from the safeiy-valve ceased
Or was drowned I'm the quickeniug mast
OF the exhaust; the shingled track be-
gan 20 spin by and the passing sleereis
to grow indistingushable. and within FIVE
minutes OF leaving Newport station we
were rushing over the Levels ana WhlZ-
zing through the grassy cuttings at a
speed which was swiftly rising 10 sixty
miles an hour.
ensconced myself I'm a comfortable
corner Of the cab, where was wei
sheltered from the wind' ana az tfe
same time out OF the road OF the fireman
and driver. Through the spectacle-glass
could command clear view
OF the line ahead, and took notice of the
curious effect produced by the enilesf
vista OF rails rushing to meet US. as
though the tain was swallowing up
leagues OF track.
Signal cabins telegraph-posts, bridges
Wayside stations. ali flashed past with
velocity which speedily grew bewiiderlhs
10 my unaccustomed eye. We were dp-
preaching Severn Tunnel Junction, when
suddenly Evans applied the brake anu
shouted TO me to hold on tight ] hearu
the grinding OF the fianges, then the en-
CINE seemed TO swerye violently ana III
manner which would certainly nave nuns
me from my feet but for the tlhely
warning.
The fireman now lit lamp IN the can
i'm readiness for our passage through the
tunnel Already We were running down
the cutting with a reyerberating roar
coming back from the gradually neghteh-
ing banks on either side. and as FAR OF
az | could see through the circular neIu
Of the window where the arrow-straishl
line seemed to converge into point, was
what looked like tiny blot upon 'he
reddish face of the cliff, so ridlcuiousiy
small in perspective that the notion Va
our train passing through IL seeheu aoou.
as practicable as for the traaiioi,ai eaiisi
TO 20 through the eye OF needle.
There's the longest tunnel in England.
sir" said Evans. pointing. over iouf
miles from end to end"
And how long will IL take US 10 go
through it?'' / asked
"WelI. we never run at fun speed. ana
az there's a stiffish climb after We pass
the middle. we seldom get through much
under eight or ten minutes.
We were now close upon the Diack apeF-
ture. tearing down the incline which led
10 II at headlong speed. Evans blew
prolonged blast Of the whistle, and while
the resonant shrek swelied into many
shrill and wild echoes from the higt
banks. we plunged into the gloom, ana
in a breath the daylight was cclipsed.
The effect in the tunnel was strahse,
weird and impressive. The darhness
seemed full OF flying shadows; the ruauy
CLEANS falling siantwise through the
chlnks betwixt the furnace doors ana 'ne
feeble glimmer OF the lamp In the CAP
tinged the piles of coal heaped Up IN inc
tender with blood-red hues.
The figures OF the fireman ana driver
showed In vague. shadowy shapes Not
the faintest glimmer came from the tram
in our wake. Occasionally little galaxy
OF sparks would vornit forth from tne
invisible funnel. and sweep like a nisht
of firefiies into the blackness behind. n.
intervals We flashed past lamps aihxed
to the damp walls. and once we passed
a little band OF men working by loren
light. and showing like demons In the