Evening journal., 1903-01-05
MAY FLAG TRAIN
WITH UMBRELLA
Funny Methods Of a Queer
Little Railroad Line in
Cornwall, England

"Just hold up your umbrella, sir, and
she'll stop at once" was the CHEEKY
response given an inquiry as to the
possibility of boarding an approaching
train on its way from Wadebridge to
Bodwin, two queer old towns in Corn
wall, England. Up went the umbrella,
and sure enough the driver shut off
steam and pulled up just in front Of
the would be passenger. 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 carriagesl There were two Of
them. first and third class. respective
ly. The first class accommodation
consisted of an open truck, such as one
sees daily in New York carting cotton
bales or other merchandise, but pro-
vided 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 con-
veyed in, and bOasted neither seats,
buffers nor springs. Third class fare
was but II cents, but the first class
passengers were mulcted in the sum
Of % cents for a journey Of barely
seven miles.
The engine driver, who o1iciated in
cidentally as conductor, brakeman,
guard and porter, came around collect
ing the tariff.
A little conversation ELECTED some
surprising facts in connection with
this absurd out Of date line. Formerly
1t had been the custom to sell tickets at
the termin. little triangular blue and
white bits OF pasteboard. with n hole
| In the middle, so that the ticket col
lector (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 incidental delays,
such as picking up passengers, chasing
stray hats, removing cattle or sheep
1
that not infrequently an hour and q
half or more was consumed in cover
! ing the short distance. 1 may mention
that passengers picked up on the way
side 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 a curve some quar-
ter of a mile off. Turning to the aged
station master, Mr.. Worth, one Of
them inquired Mt what hour the next
train would leave. DAY after tomor-
row." laconically answered that Off
cial.
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 proceeding a
couple of miles, to see the train put
back to Bodwin, because, as they sub
sequently discovered, the engineer had
5 forgotten to bring his pipe alongl
= An interesting function always took
. place whenever an incline was reached
The driver, having regulated the speed
q Of his iron horse, would climb out on
4 the front Of the engine, and, sitting
Q between the buffers, strew sand on the
r rails; occasionally it has happened
b that. the supply Of sand proving insult.
:. fcient, the engine would steam away
to the depot in search Of more.
I The country through which the little
d railway passes is Of n high order OF
beauty and affords many picturesque
l. glimpses. Bodwin itself is a quaint lit
tie town that dates back to the days OF
the Phoenicians and in later times was
Of much Importance This may bC
judged from the fact that it supported
a cathedral and no less than Is Other
! churches The remains of an old lepel
! house are still to be seen, commemora
a tive Of the terrible scourge that in 1885,
+ ravaged the whole country around. But
]. alackaday, the solemn march of prog
st ress is already beginning TO destroy
d this relic Of bygone days and the ruth
ID less hand Of contractors and navvie
/ are paving the way for an ordinary
y common, everyday service Of expresse
W and milk trains. and the inhabitant
ic are deploring the loss Of their stead,
v going if slow and uncomfortable, oil
st train.-Los Angeles Times.
Towne-Some people consider hiI
" selfish cad. What sort of fellow