Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-03-06

,
a half century ago is found in a pamphlet
containing the orders of the sperintendent
of the Western and Atlantic railroad to
the conductors, engineers and trainmen
under him, issued in 1852. The old order
book has been carefully preserved by an
Albanian and fell into the hands Of Mr..
Forrest Adair. 1t gives a wonderful in
sight into the primitiveness of the rail-
roads of that day, contains much that is
amusing. The engineer, for example, is
called the engine-man and there is a very
strict order about keeping man running
ahead of the train, If there is a likelihood
of another train coming in an opposite d.
rection.
This last is certainly a suggestion to be
admired, but argues poorly for the speed
of the train or else wonderfully well for
the flagman Of that day. Another COM
mendable order was to sidetrack whenever
the smoke-stack gets out of order and
there is danger of setting the woods on
fire.
The train in such cases is to be left
and engine brought back to Atlanta for
repairs.
The time for a trip from Atlanta to
Chattanooga was in those days nearly
eleven hours for passengers and an indeh-
mite period for freights. Leaving Atlanta
at SIS a. m. the train would reach Chat
tanooga, If nothing happened, at p. m.
Freight trains took two days to make the
| trip.
The old order book is really very inter
esting. VIM. NJ. Wadley was the general
superintendent of the road in 1882 and he
1t was who composed the orders that read
so queer today and yet very probably they
saved many a life in their day and kept
the old trains moving surely, If slowly.
Some of the following, issued under the
| caption, RULES for Passenger Engine
| men" will doubtless prove of much inter-
est to railroad men of the present day..
/. Each engine-man will keep watch,
which must be regulated by the time Of
/ his conductor at the commencement or
each trip; and he will always have in his
possession the current schedule book.
| q No train will leave a station before
the time stated in its schedule, or without
/ an order or signal from the conductor.
| The engine-man must always give notice
before starting. by the sound Of his bell
or whistle.
8. Should any stock be killed which may
be likely to endanger the safety of tho
next train passing, the engine-man viii
always stop his train until the track is
| cleared.
4. Passenger trains must not exceed the
speed of their schedule under any consid-
Grafton, except when they are behind
time in which case the speed may be in
creased three miles per hour, generally.
In passing turn-outs the speed must be di-
minished to six miles per hour, and on
all long, high bridges to eight miles per
hour.
| 8. The engine man will permit no person
not duly authorized to ride upon his en-
| CINE or tender. He will run uniformly and
| steadily between stations, delay as little
as possible for wood and water, and take
| care that the wood is so loaded as not to
/ IL IL will nrf f0
conductor the exact amount of wood TAX
en- from each station, and all failure of
supply of wood or water.
6. In connecting and in starting with his
| train the engine man will be exceedingly
| careful in the management of the throttle,
so that the cars may not be injured or the
passengers annoyed by the violence of the
| start
| Z When a train is approaching a stop
| ping place It is the duty of the engine
| man to see that the fire is so regulated
! that it will be unnecessary to blow on
steam while the engine remains station
airy.
s. Engine men must not, under any cir
| cumstances, entrust their engines to fire
/ men. When an engine is 10 be moved II
must be done by the engine man In per-
/ son, unless at Atlanta, where 1t may be
| done by any person appointed for that
| purpose by the superintendent Of ma
1
Q. All engines running at night, out of
! time, must keep their hampers open so as
/ to show a light.
| 10. When passing cotton, either on plat
/ form cars or near the warehouses, en-
gines must be made to exhaust as lightly
as possible.
| il. One short sound of the whistle is
signal for the brakeman to put on the
brakes; two sounds of the whistle is the
signal to take them off.
r. When an engine is to be followed
| during the day by another the forward
| one will carry on its buffer a red flag,
spread. If no engine is to follow during
the day, then the flag must be furled and
| bound to the staff.
! For any violation of the above rules;
! for running off at turn-outs; for killing
stock by daylight for all other irregular
tiles the general superintendent will i'm
i pose such fines as he deems just and call
ed for by the nature of the offense.
The rules for passenger conductors are
about as curious as for the engineers.
| They are likewise admonished to keep a
watch, to see that there is a bell cord
i through the train, go for the mail in the
event the mail is not brought to the train