Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-02-02
THE STEAM RAILROADS,
All Were in Difficulties, but the Boston and
Albany Fared the Worst.

The conditions under which the snow
came made it hard for the railroads to
deal with. There was already re-
spectacle amount of snow on the ground
to receive this fall, and with the ther-
mometer about zero and wind such as
accompanied the snow, it took COM
paratively little time to pack 1t hard
and high in exposed places. All the
ralroads entering the city We're badly
afected by the storm, and experienced
more or less difficulties. The Fftchburg
road weathered the storm better than
any Of the roads located here, and dur
ing the day ran all of it's passenger
trains. None of the roads made any
attempt to move freights.
On the Boston and Albany more trouble
was experienced than for a long time
Much of it was occasioned by freight
trains which were out and became
stalled, thus blocking the passenger
traffic. Unusual drifts, too, were piled
on the road, increasing the difficulties
AT the deep cut and at Charlton the
drifts were above the tops Of the
coaches, and the same was true in the
section near the Brookfields The train
service TO Boston was not opened until
late in the afternoon, and no trains were
sent west until late in the afternoon.
What trains did go out were not heavi-
" loaded. only those who had important
business venturing out for a Journey.
Trains from the west experienced no ex-
traordinary difficulties between Spring.
field and this city
The first train east left the Union sta
tion at 1906 a. m, and pulled out be-
hind a big snow plow. This was the II
o'clock train from New York, due to
reach this city at a. m. This was the
first mail train to reach the city from
New York. The fact that the tele-
graphic system between this city and
Boston was crippled seriously affected
the train service, and compelled the
trainmen to depend upon the telephone
for orders.
The road between Springfield and
Worcester was open and most of the
trains arrived but little late. Many of
them were held in this city after ar
rival, and for the remainder of the
journey to Boston were consolidated
Train TO- from Springfield, due here at
4.52 a M, arrived at 7.05 a. M, and left
for Boston at 1906. Train 334, from
Palmer. due here at S.55, arrived short
ly afterwards. This train was followed
by the milk train with two engines and
one car. Both the latter trains left at
1910 for Boston
The New York express, so, arrived
here shortly after II o'clock; this train
was due at 9.32. 1t was made up of the
New York Central mail car, baggage
car and sleeper, and one engine.
The first train to arrive from Boston
reached the Union station about 4
o'clock yesterday afternoon. This was
the $50 a. m. train out of Boston. Up
to that time the trains from Boston
due here at 1855 Monday night and
1928 Tuesday morning, had not arrived.
They were stalled behind a freight
train below Framingham. They reached
the station during the evening and pre-
sented a picturesque appearance as they
whirled into the train shed. Trains
were running we'll last night, and today
the road will be running on nearly
schedule time.
The Fitchburg road was least affected
Of any of the roads entering the city
All trains were started from both ends
Winchendon and this city-on schedule
time, and ran but little behind schedule
during the run.
On the Providence division of the New
York, New Haven and Hartford road
the service was crippled until late in
the afternoon. Up to O'Clock not a
train over this road reached the sta
ton, and but one had been sent out
That left at $3.50 o'clock and was only
for local work. 1t was on this road
that a passenger train was stalled at
Uxbridge Monday night by colliding
with plow. The collision resulted in
some damage to the engine, partially
disabling it and cutting off the supply
of steam for the passenger cars. Among
the passengers on the train were three
ladies, who were nearly overcome by the
cold. Several others contracted severe
colds. Last night the road had been
practically cleared, and trains came into
the station. Regular schedule time
will be attempted today.
The Boston and Maine line was in
great difficulties. The first train to ar
rive today was the 1905 a. M, which
pulled in at 12.15 a. m. The Nashua
train, which was due at 9.05 Monday
night, pulled in directly behind. This
train was stalled just beyond the Sum-
nit All outgoing trains during the day
were cancelled, but in the evening the
regular trains were started. The road
is practically open now and regular time
will be maintained today.
The New England road offered no ad-
vantages for escape from the city until
late in the afternoon, but once opened
the road did well and kept its tracks
clear The first arrival over the line
reached the depot at 1.30 p. m. O'Clock.
1t consisted of two engines. a snow
plow and a caboose. The sight of the
train was picturesque in the extreme
No sign of metal was visible, and wheels
were indistinguishable from any othes
portion of the engine. Many camera
fends who were about the station