Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1903-10-31
AekxaekXxA AS the reader ever ridden
&*, ~ on \ locomotive at top
x n speed? 1t Is queer expert
8x x3 ence, especially to one not
VXsxShokNV at all 0ccustOmed tn that

~ on \ locomotive at top
x n q speed? 1t is queer expert
8x ~ ence, especially to one not
XNsEekHR at all accustomed to that
peculiar mode of travelling, and is cal
culated, under some circumstances, to
try the nervous system to its utmost
tension. If you would realize the
power and irresistible force Of loco
motive under Roadway, step on the
rails for moment, on dark night,
and look up the long line Of perspective
at an On-cOming engine with its blaz-
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 epitome
of mechanical power harnessed to the
service of human intelligence. What Il
frightful means Of sacrifice, what a
marvellous agent for good!
Again, stand on the platform of q
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 rushes
swiftly by, your eyelids will close me-
Chemically, 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 interviewed it is as fresh in
tho memory as -hough it had occurred
but yesterday:
1t was on cold winters evening
that we were to start from Burling-
ton, Vermont, for Boston. The Janu-
airy thaw had failed to put in an ap-
pearance that year, and the cold in
that northern region had been intense
bedding the frost to great depth in
the soil. After purchasing our ticket
for the Lightning Express, as it was
called, and placing valise and storm.
coat safely in one of the passenger
cars, we had strolled about the depot,
until we finally paused beside the large
and powerful locomotive which was
to draw the train on its downward trip.
It was superb piece of mechanism,
with it's brass mountings as bright
as patient toll and incessant 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 1t paused there with re-
strained power, like a thoroughbred
horse impatiently at the bit which
curbs him. The engineer and flremen
We're both in their Places. quietly
awaiting the signal which should start
the train for the South. A sudden
thought struck mel had never rid
den upon locomotive; it would be a
new sensation. Was it possible to
do 80 tonight? l asked the engineer,
who shook his head, but still answered
me pleasantly:
"There is the superintendent yonder;
ask him."
Seeking the individual designated as
the superintendent, was both pleased
and surprised to recognize in him an
old friend, who whom, years ago,
had been on intimate terms. l finally
told him that had singular request
to make, and expressed my desire to
ride with the engineer. He somewhat
reluctantly assented to my desire, but
not without numerous cautions, and
the remark that it was quite excep-
tional to grant such privilege to any
one.
Walking to the side of the locomo-
tive, the superintendent introduced me
to the engineer, and gave him direc-
tons to accommodate me as it re-
garded the intended purpose.
Five minutes later the signal bell
was rung, the shrill whistle sounded,
steam was gradually let into the cylin.
ders, and the train rolled out of the
depot into the darkness, which for a
moment was rendered more dense by
contrast with the well-lighted depot
left behind. at once bestowed myself
80 as not to be in the way of the engi-
neer or fireman, and curiously watched
the novel scene Immediately before
me, for that was all l could possibly
see.
"Never on locomotive before?'
questioned the engineer.
mo"
"Can't see much such a night as
this
mo; it's as dark as a pocket"
replied.
"Of nice summers day it's all very
WELL" continued the engineer, "but of
dark night-well, l don't think it's
very jolly" All the while he was
looking straight ahead. with his hands
on the valves, to shut Off steam and
to whistle "down brakes at an in
stant's notice.
How far ahead can you see?"
asked.
about couple OF. rods such night
as this, unless strong signal lantern
is shown, then we can see farther"
1.-TWO rods would be of no real ad-
vantage IL we were to encounter an
obstacle OH he track,".I suggested.
"Well, no; you can't stop an ex-
press train much inside Of Il quarter
of mile with the style of brakes
we now have"
"Ah, that's it. You require more
powerful sort Of brake; is that what !
understand you to mean?"
Exactly; one that will act with
greater power, and yet not bring a
train up all standing, as 1t were. That
would be almost as bad as to run into
an object dead ahead" replied the
engineer.
Something of that sort will be in.
vented"
"Oh, yes, one Of these days; I've al
ways said So"
In the meantime. the Lightning Ex-
press was rushing on it's way, straight
into the intense darkness, which. II
possible. was now rendered more ap-
parent by a fieecy fall of snow. which
was packed all about us by reason Of
the great speed Mt which we were