The age-herald., 1901-03-01
Ign ROute"; The
 Southeastern Limited

lengthening way beyond the car shed at the railway station yesterday. a little party of Birmingham friends, accom- panied by MT. Bilheimer the travelling passenger agent, hurried through the iron gateway, waved aside the official who insists upon tickets being shown at the gate threw a smiling goodby to MT. McGlemry who presumed they were "off to somewhere" and entered the dining car that has recently been put on this line. the first dining car with which any of the lines entering Birmingham has been equipped
 The tables were set for luncheon, and in the center of each was a a cut glass bowl of roses and other blossoms. while the snowiness of the linen made one un- consciously glance through the window at the dust and smoke that distinguishes all railway stations. The interior of the car is the handsomest of any dining cars in the south. The woodwork Is done en- tirely in mahogany, the doors, the panel ing in their high polish reflecting the beautiful interior. The ceiling is done in green and gold while the seats are of mahogany upholstered in green leather.
 The meals are served la carte, which will be departure heartily welcomed by every one who Is familiar with the pres ent custom in dining oars The service on the southeastern limited Is perfect and to realize how perfectly equipped a cafe car must be to meet all emergen- cies, little view of the kitchen throws much uRht hn oil obstacles were explained away by the chef In white duck, whom as I entered was just placing great, luscious straw berries in the refrigerator There was first the cabinet glittering with silver and cut glass; here was the ice box, in which hyacinths and carnations were being kept in bloom to adorn the break fast tables. In little compartments that opened at the press of a button was stored the table linen. A most domestic looking fire gfowed warmly in the range that occupied as small a place as pos- sible.
 The chef opened series of miniature doors. In ice cold compartments were the spring chickens; in another the sir Joins and tenderloins, the lamb chops. Here were the vegetables, the fruits, the cereals. Every particle of space was util- ized. The compartment was architectur- ally perfect, and built with an eye to fa- cilitate work. The arrangement of the kitchen would not be a bad plan for ar chitects to study, in their building of kitchens to private residences The amount of space usually given over to a kitchen and buffers pantry Is one of the anomalies of the present school of archi- lecture. In the cafe cars, space has to be considered and utilized to the best pos sible advantage. The result Is compact, perfectly equipped kitchen. and after one has had the system employed on the cafe cars explained, 1t Is no longer surpris- ing that one may touch the button and "they will do the rest.''
 As every one knows, the marketing has to be done in advance, and the table is always supplied with the best that the market affords. The chef, for instance, on the dining car of the Southeastern limited keeps his larder freshly supplied from the markets along the route. The Apenu does not vary greatly, but 1t in- SiuuCo SuCli al thIlcly Ol IOOu lndt one could not ever fail to find ones favorte dish Breakfast, luncheon and supper are served at prices ranging similarly to those at the best hotels conducted on the European plan.
 The cafe cars carry their wine lists, and are prepared to serve almost as elaborate a supper as can be served at the fashion able hotels or cafes.
 On cafe car there is the added attrac- ton of luxurious travel.
 The Southeastern limited has also re- gently added an observation car. This adjoins the cafe car. It Is superbly fin- ished in solid mahogany and upholstered in green leather. It Is furnished luxuri- ously and equipped with writing desks and tables and supplied with all the late periodicals. The rear platform Is circu- lar. roomy and protected by massive brass railings.
 The three new cars recently put on this line were built by the Pullman Company at cost of over forty thousand dollars.
 The little party of Birmingham people who were observing the sights of the city through the windows of the observa- tion car, were presently whisked off in a great hurry. One of the young women in the party had just seated herself at the desk and declared she would write to her friends en route. But the clang of the bell hurried her off and just as she stepped from the platform the Pullman porter leaned over the brass railing and handed her several sheets of paper and some envelopes. And when another wom- an looked disappointed, the porter disap- peared and returned the next moment with more sheets of paper and envelopes heaving the crest of the Southeastern Limited. They f1uttered over the railing and fell across a track along which an observation car was slowly receding. Through the window a handsome young fellow was blancing Interestingly, and a young woman from beneath a monk toque threw a longing glance at tho slowly departing train. How delight ful the balcony of the observation car would be on a moonlight night" she said softly as she passed again through the iron gateway, and everybody agreed with her.