Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1901-08-22
HARD ON THE NERVES
RUNNING TRAINS OVER MOUNTAIN
ROADS is RISKY WORK.

IL Iakca houNh anu Strcukth anu
Courage to Hold an Engineers JOB
on one of These Drain whiriine,
Nerve Hacking Runs.
"one of the greatest difficulties of
the real mountain roads, llkeithe Colo
RADIO Midland, the Rio Grande Western
and the Denver and Rio Grande, is In /
getting engineers" said the city pas
senger agent of the Rio Grande West
ern road. This gentleman is familiar |
with all the intermountain roads, 1
where the trains have to all but fly to |
reach some of their destinations.
zone might suppose that all roads |
would look alike to the experienced en-
gineer, but they don't Along some of
| the prairie roads an engineerfcan take
a run on any new track almost as well
as on one he has travelled for years and
knows with his eyesishut. But herein
the west 1t Is different. Down in Colo
| RADIO, where are some of the greatest
monuments to the railroad builder that
have ever been erected, an engineer
has to travel over the roads sometimes
for weeks with old. experienced engi-
neers who know the track before he
will be trusted with a train. 1t isn't a
question Of engineering ability; merely
one Of experience.
TT Is enough to take fellows nerve
to sweep around some of those noun
tain curves and passes for the first
time. Some good men never take more
than their first ride. have seen engi-
neers come from the east men Of gilt
edge character and ability, who lost
, their nerve with the first trip and took
the first train for a hatter country.
2 Dizzy reverse curves, trestles that
i seem to totter in the wind. precipices
that seem to yawn for fellows life
l.. and grades that are revelation OF
d horror to the newcomer crowd In be-
wildering confusion on the view, and
unless q fellow is as stolld as an OK or
nervy as the mischief he is apt to lose
his head.
: you would be surprised at the mum.
Der Of young engineers who are on the
mountain roads. For one thing, a mar
does not last there as he does on a less
picturesque, more prosaic run. 1t take.
g youth and strength and courage of {
y. rare order to stand it all. The compa
> niles are the most appreciative In thu
world, for they realize how hard it is t
g get a good man, and they treat gooS
man right royalty. But even this doe
er not attract a surplus of the right sort.
"The principal dangers are In III,
q heavy grades and in the sharp curves
though landslides are far from un
known. One must know his train ant
. his road like a book to get througl
with his life on the Marshall pass, 70
% instance, where you seem to plung
ne headlong down the mighty hill. A roc
TIC on the track, broken wheel, a runs
way car or a failure Of the brakes I
n- work would end in a smash up this
ay would startle the whole country. Th
hill might be a glare Of ice or frost.
n, might be wet or snowy, and II you 50
ey the airbrake too hard so as to start III
MT wheels to sliding down the hill you g
H. like a gigantic toboggan, with deaf
and destruction at the end OF the ridl
ne The management Of the airbrake an
n knowing where the curves and dangel
GUS places are is the greatest part Of a
IT. engineers education in the mountains
"For my own part, knowing the dan
IT. gers as do, feel nervous after ridin
100 miles over the widest parts of III
is roads even as a passenger. I rod
a. through the Royal gorge on the engiT
ed few weeks ago and was glad whe
lf- the ride was over. 1t makes fello'
feel trembly like TO think what migl
ire be, though the worst rarely happen
Such Is the care taken IN equipmel
e. and In getting the best men that n
mountain roads have as small propo
~, ton of losses as the dead level roads ,
- the plains. But 1t takes man of ner'
-. to pilot a train through some of Il
wilder regions.
d, "a freight train is the worst, in thi
ny, ,no it is much heavier than n passeng
ne and is expected TO make almost Il
same time. All the heavy stock trail
az a. going east, % to 80 cars, make passe
ger schedule. A freight is so loose
, coupled as to be very unmanageable
~, critical points. The stock trains are Il
terror Of the engine drivers and all Il
trainmen.
"a fellow isn't necessarily n cowal
.ei when he throws up his job as engine
over the mountain ROADS, AFTER Seell
Vi what the dangers are. Not one passe
ger in 10000 would assume the san
me danger. The position calls for absolut
ly steady nerve, and one who feels tn
sha he is likely 10 get ratified is dangero
ar TO himself, to the company and to ;
As who ride behind him. A man mu
think and act like lightning in the IA
ur- of so many dangers that he must
an sure of his ability to stand the stral
No one stays any great number
Irs. years. 1t is beyond ones power TO
so and be safe. A man may be bra
her and willing and all that, but these a
not enough. He must be sure and pro
lrs. against stampede sucn a man Is WOE 20,
everything to the companies, and tn
treat him like a prince. Int