The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-10-30

4 Speeu' IL - Pucei eAPc'i
yx8 cncc, especially TO one not
xxEi5Xkx at all accustomed to that
peculiar mode Of travelling. and Is cal
culated, under some circumstances, 10
try the nervous system 10 It's utmost
tension. If you would realize the
power and irresistible force Of loco
motive under headway, step on the
rails for a moment, on q dark night,
and look up the long line OF perspective
at an On-coming engine with its blnz-
ing signal lantern in front, like the
eye OF Cyclops, and its roar. echoed by
the trembling earth, like some tabled
giants breath. 1t is the very epitomc
OF mechanical power harncssed 10 the
service of human intelligence. What n
frightful means of sacrifice, what a
marvellous agent for good!
Again. stand on the platform OF a
side station while the express train
passes at its average speed Of thirty
miles an hour, and you have another
example of the amazing power of
steam. Your nerves will invOluntarily
contract themselves as the train rushcs
swiftly by. your eyelids will close me
chanically, and you almost gasp for
breath as the air vacuum surrounds
you. caused by such huge and rapid
atmospheric displacement.
But 1t was upon an engine itself
that the experience of which we write
was gained, and though some years
have now intervcncd IL is as fresh in
the memory as .hough It had occurred
but yesterday:
II was on cold winters evening
that we were to start from Burlng-
ton, Vermont, for Boston. The Janu-
sry thaw had failed TO put in an ap-
pearancc that year, and the cold in
that northern region had been intense
bedding the frost TO n great depth in
the soil. After purchasing our ticket
for the Lightning Express, as 1t was
called. and placing yalise and storm
coat safely in one OF the passenger
cars, we had strollcd about the depot,
until we finally paused beside the large
and powerful locomotive which was
to draw the train on its downward trip
II was superb piece of mechanism.
with it's brass mountings as bright
rs patient toll and inccSsant care could
make them, while the iron and steel
parts conveyed sense OF enormous
strength even at glance. The huge
engine seemed almost endowed with
animal life as II paused there with re-
strained power. like thoroughbred
horse impatlcntly ut the bit which
curbs him. The engineer and frcmcn
were both In their places, quietly
awaiting the signal which should start
the train for the South. a sudden
thought struck mc-I had never rid
den upon n locomotive: il would be a
new sensation. Was 1t possible TO
do so tonight? I asked the engineer.
who shook his head. but still answered
me pleasantly:
There is the superintendent yondcr:
ask him"
Seeking the individual designated rs
the superintendent, was both pleased
and surprised TO recognize in him an
old friend. who whom, years ago, |
bad been on intimate terms. | finally
told him that had singular request
10 make. and expressed my desire to
ride with the engineer. He somewhat
reluctantly asscnted To my desire, but
not without numerous cautions. and
the remark that IL was quite CNCcp
tional to grant such n privilege to any
one.
Walking to the side OF the locomo
tive. the superintendent introduced me
10 the engineer. and gave him dircc
tons to accommodate me rs il re-
garded the intended purpose.
Five minutes later the signal bel
was rung, the shrill whistle sounded
steam was gradually let into the cylin
ders. and the rain rolled out of tn,
depot into the darkness, which for ;
moment was rendered more dense Ivy
contrast with the wCl.lighted depo
left behind. at once bestowed myScl
so as not to he in the way OF the cngi
neer or fireman. and curiously watche,
the novel scene Immediately befor,
me, for that was all | could possibl,
see.
Never on locomotive before?
questioned the engineer.
mo"
Cant see much such a night a
this"
mo; it's as dark as a pocket"
replied.
"Of nice summers day it's .ali yer
well" continued the engineer. but q
q dark night-well | don't think It,
very jolly" All the while he wa
looking straight ahead. with his hand
on the valves. to shut off steam an
90 whistle down brakes" at an il
stont's notice.
How far ahead can You scc'"
asked.
About n couple OF rods such n nigl
as this. unless strong signal lantcr
is shown. then we can see farther"
1.-TWO rods would bc OF TO real n
vantage If we were to encounter 9
obstacle on he track" | suggested.
"Well. no; you can't stop an Q
press train much inside of a quart
Of a mile with the style of brak
we now have"
"Ah that's IL. You require a mo
powerful sort of brake; is that what
understand you TO mean?'
Exactly: one that will act wi
greater power. aud yet not bring