The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-04-16
THE TRAIN RACE.

"a fine train, sir, - l said to guard OF
another later train whom | knew slightly.
"Ayc, aye, sir, it is fine train, this
one But--though say it as shouldn't
it's not the train it was year ago, when
we used to run against the London and
Northwestern every night
ooh" said /, interested at once, $50
you were one of the guards in that great
race, were you? 1t must have been ire
mcndously exciting"
Exciting, sirl Why, | could tell you n
regular story about it, that night as we
ran from Kings Cross here to Newcastle
without n stop. That was something like
q run, wasn't itg''
at 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. y
81 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 large part of the distance at
so miles an hour, the other company had
beaten us by just about five minutes.
but this night all our officials not only
both for beating the London and North
western and also breaking the record.
81 was sitting at home the day before
the cvcntful run was to take place, smok-
ing my pipe and thinking deeply, when
was aroused by a sharp knock at the door.
On opening it found II 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.
81 informed him of my identity and in
vited him in
We'll, have learned-by what means
l need not say-what probably most of
you on the line think is quite u secret, that
there is to be very determined attempt
by your train tomorrow night to beat the
record, as well as the other company's
train. ! thought it 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. r. You have doubtless
heard of B. & Coz
81 nodded and he smiled again.
Exactly. Well, we have the offer of a
bet of S., 800 to 81 800 that your train does
not beat the London and Northwestern to-
morrow night. i am, of course, inclined
to accept the bet, but thought it wise just
to drop in and ask your opinion first ION
success. ! reckon pony would be very
welcome, wouldn't it, for yourself, and a
"tenner" for each of the others?'
"'You can depend on us tomorrow
night, sir, said l. We 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 n
STOP
He had a drink of whisky with me,
and then he rose to go. oh, by the by,
said he before leaving, there's no risk of
your having to stop on the way, l suppose
l mean for foolish passengers who might
| get nervous at the speed and pull the com
munication cord, or anything of that sort:
And there is no part of the rail likely to be
blocked, as there was II few nights ago at
Darlington, l SUPPOSE"
Ono, l think both contingencies art
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 it'll be all right to
morrow night.
"Amid 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-our
! w.,
coaches and the guards 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 a ten minutes stay we were actually
five minutes before any record time fol
this journey.
"All went well to Edinburgh, over tn,
Forth bridge, over the Tay bridge ant
through Dundee, until we began to gel
within measurable distance of Aberdeen
l found on referring to my watch thai
now, just before entering on this piece o.
single line, we We're about Is minutes be
fore our expected time.
eve had gone about couple of miles
when fancied felt u slight slackening o
our speed. Before another mile had beer
covered this was more plainly evident, ant
when heard those portentous whistles o
the engine l knew that the signals wer'
against us.
"The train gradually slackened speed
until it came to dead stop at that wretchet
signal. As no notice was taken of our re
peated whistling, was about to go for
ward myself to the signal box to see wha
was the matter when l saw the signalmaI
waving white light. He protested, il
reply To my angry query, that he had sig
nailed the line as being clear for the las
half hour; but assured him that the sig
nal was against us.
but though we dashed into Aberdeen
with much putting of the engine at leas
four minutes before our appointed time
we were too late. That miserable stoppag
on the single line had killed us, and w
found that the London and Northwestern
train had beaten us by three minutes.
"There was, of course, an immediate
inquiry into the cause of the delay, and /
was found on examination that the signal
man was not TO blame, as the signal wire
had been tampered with Hence the sig
nal would not work when the lever wa
pulled
"The signalman recollectcd having scel
gentlemanly fellow walking near the lin