Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-10-27
SINGLE TRAIN A DAY,
AN OLD-TIME ENGLISH RAIL-
ROAD.
Operated on the Same Schedule and Maintain.
ing the Same Anticipated Rolling Stock Of
Stsphenson's Timc-One Train Day. and
Run on Strictly Accommodation Rules
An American Abroad.

the possibility OF boarding an ap-
preaching train on its way from
Wadebridge to Bodwin, two queer old
towns in Cornwall, England. Up
went the umbrella, and sure enough
the driver shut off steam and pulled
up just in front of the would-be pas.
senger. And what a sight it was!
The engine was constructed in
George Stephenson's time and, 1 be-
lieve, under his personal supervision.
But the carriages! There were two of
them, first and third class, respectively.
The first-class accommodation con-
sisted OF an open truck, such as one
sees daily in New York carting cotton
bales or other merchandise, but pro-
yided with some benches. Rude and
uncomfortable as it seemed, however
1t was luxurious compared to the
third-class carriage, which was neither
more nor less than a common closed
van, such as cattle or furniture are
conveyed in, and boasted neither seats,
buffers nor springs. Third-class fare
was hut IA cents, but the first-class
passengers were mulcted in the sum
of 25 cents for journey of barely
seven miles.
The engine driver, who oliiciated
incidentally as conductor, brakeman,
guard and porter, came around COL
lecting the tariff.
A little conversation elected some
surprising facts in connection with
this absurd out-of-date line. Former
ly it had been the custom to sell tick
cts at the terminals, little triangular
blue and white bits of pasteboard, with
hole in the middle, so that the
ticket collector (also engine driver,
stoker, etc.) could file them away on
a string. But alas, the ravages of
time spare not even railway tickets,
and eventually they were all worn out
So now the fares are collected on
board. The rate of speed was strictly
limited to ten miles an hour, but Incl.
dental delays, such as picking up pas
sengers, chasing stray hats, removing
cattle or sheep from the track, took
up so much time that not infrequent-
ly an hour and a hal! or more was
consumed in covering the short dis.
tance. l may mention that passen-
gers picked up OH the wayside paid no
regular fare, but merely tipped the
engineer.
The need OF time tables was un-
known, for the train ran but one way
each day, and arranged the time of de-
parture to suit intending travellers.
1t is related with much gusto in those
parts that two commercial travellers
once arrived at Bodwin just in time to
see the train round curve some
quarter of mile off. Turning to the
aged station master, Mr.. Worth, one
of them inquired at what hour the
next train would leave. "Day after
Tomorrow" laconically answered
that official.
The astonished drummer looked at
him pityingly and, nudging his COM
panion, whispered, Poor fellow; he's
crazy" But they were soon unde-
ceived and, learning the true state of
the case, hired a cart at some expense
to accomplish their journey. What
was their modification, after proceed
ing couple OF miles, to see the train
put back to Bodwin, because, as they
subsequently discovered, the engineer
had forgotten to bring his pipe along!
An interesting function always took
place whenever an incline was reached.
The driver, having regulated the
speed of his iron-horse, would climb
out on the front of the engine, and,
sitting between the buffers, strew sand
on the rails; occasionally it has hap.
pened that, the supply of sand proving
insufficient, the engine would steam
away to the depot in search of more.
The country through which the
little railway passes is ola high order
Of beauty and affords many picturesque
glimpses. Bodwin itself is q quaint
little town that dates back to the days
of the Phoenicians and in later times
was OF much Importance. This may
be judged from the fact that it sup
ported cathedral and no less than
13 other churches. The remains of
an old leper house are still to be seen,
commemorative of the terrible scourge
that in 1850 ravaged the whole
country around. But, alackaday, the
solemn march eff progress is already
beginning to destroy this relic of by
gone days, and the ruthless hand of
contractors and navvies are paving
the way for an ordinary, common,
everyday service OF expresses and milk
trains, and the inhabitants are deplor-
ing the loss of their steady-going, ii
slow and uncomfortable, old train.