The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-09-07
Southern Railway TO Run a
Through Train from New
York to New Orleans Making
Connection With Birmingham
Train viii Only Garry Mail
and Express, and Will Make
5 But Few Stops Sleeper Will
Be Run Here.

The new fast mail and express train
from New York to New Orleans and
Birmingham over the Southern railway
General Manager C. H. Ackert He, with
General Superintendent ]. A. Dodson and
assistant to the general manager, C. s.
McManus all of the southern railway,
were here yesterday. Mr. McManus has
been in Birmingham for the past two
weeks, off and on. and ever since his ap-
pointment a few months ago he has spent
the greater part of his time in this dis
trict where tonnage is always heavy and
where 1t is heavier now than ever before.
Many improvements have been made
here recently In the Southern's terminal
facilities and 1t is said that the yards
and equipment are in better condition to-
day than at any former period.
Asked about the fast mail and express
train that the Southern in connection
with the Pennsylvania, the Atlanta and
West Point, the Western of Alabama
and the Louisville and Nashville, will
put on between New York and New Or
leans. Mr.. Ackert said that the scheme
was progressing Within the next few
days he will confer with the officials of
the connecting lines and just as SOON
as the general proposition is agreed to
he will get to work on details.
To Begin in November.
Mr.. Ackert said that he would not be
able to inaugurate the new train as early
-. =.
Age-Herald a few days ago, but that he
hoped to have 1t effective by the first of
November The mail and express over
the southern has grown so heavy that
something has to be done to relieve the
passenger trains, and while an extra was
being run, the company decided to make
IL the fastest train In the south and give
the business men Of the large southern
cities mail and express facilities that
would count for great deal. This new
schedule will, indeed. surpass anything
ever dreamed of by the most optimis-
tic people in this section.
birmingham will have the full benefit
Of the new through train from New York
to New Orleans" said Mr.. Ackert The
train will leave New York about 2:15 a.
m. and Will arrive In Atlanta about II 80
p. m.
The through train will carry no pas
sengers, but from Atlanta we will run a
connecting train to Birmingham with a
sleeper attached. The arriving time in
Birmingham will be about 6 O'clock GER
tainly enough for New York papers of the
day before to be delivered before break
fast ard mail to be delivered before Of
fee hours
Sleeper to Birmingham.
The through train will be able to make
the speed by hauling only two or three
cars, and by making only few stops.
At small towns, receiving light mail, Il
pouch will be thrown Oft without stop,
and where express and heavy mail has to
be discharged a stop of only three or four
minutes will suffice.
When a radical Improvement In the
mail service such as this is made it Is
usually the result Of strong petitions and
pressure from cities along the line, but In
this case the Southern Railway company
practically originated the idea and sprang
1t on the public IS an agreeable sur
prise