The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-06-06
A SPEED War.
PENNSYLVANIA Railroad Has An
nOunced a New Fast Train.
Running Time Is Hours Be-
tween Chicago and New York.

In a speed war between all the rail-
roads running between Chicago and
New York city, the Pennsylvania rail-
road has set the pace for all others by
establishing e. remarkable schedule
calling for the running Of trains be-
tween the two cities named in Is hours.
The information regarding this service
reached Thomas H. Thorp, western rep
resentatiVe of the Pennsylvania system
Topeka today. The information came
/ in the shape of a telegram from E. A.
Ford, passenger traffic manager OF the
Pennsylvania system at Pittsburg, Pa.
The 18-hOur schedule may be fully ap-
preciated when it is stated that the or
binary trains make the run between
Chicago and New York in % hours.
Heretofore the fast trains on the var
ious roads have been making the trip
in 20 hours, and recently one road an
nounced a 10 hour schedule.
The Pennsylvania system now comes
forward and announces a train to make
the trip in IS hours. The Pennsylvania
system has four tracks east of Pitts
burg and a double track west Of Pitts
burg. This line has the shortest mile
age between the two cities, the distance
between Chicago and New YORK being
913 miles. To permit the fast schedule
the Pennsylvania management has made
arrangements for a special service in
known as the Pennsylvania Special"
leaving Chicago at PAS p m. and ar
irving at New York city at 8:45 o'clock
the next morning
In addition to this fast train thu" New
York Special will also run between
those two points, leaving Chicago at 8
o'clock a. m, reaching New York at S:15
the following morning. The Manhattan
Limited" will leave Chicago at lO:30 a.
m. and will arrive at New York city at
the Pennsylvania Limited" will leave
Chicago at $50 in the evening arriving
at New York at $50 the following even
ing.
The close rivalry for passenger husi-
ness is responsible for this remarkable
schedule. To make the trip between
Chicago and New York the train Will
have to attain a speed of 70 miles an
hour at times, and at no time can it run
at less than an average of 90 miles an
hour.
The only stops which will be made
will be to change engines at the end Of
each division. The engines are provided
with enough coal for the trip over its
division, and water is taken on from a
supply in a trough between the rails
When The engine needs water little
shovel shaped trough is let DOWN I'M
derneath the engine and it scoops up
the water needed from a long trough
filed with water
The rOadbeQ IS rock DalldSteQ anu Is
practically dustless. The Pennsylvania
system passes through some beautiful
country and the scenery is great. All
precautions possible are taken for the
safety of trains by using block signals
On the double track all trains eastbound
use one track and all trains westbound
use the other track
East of Pittsburg where there are
four tracks, the eastbound freight
trains have track to themselves, leav-
ing a single track for nothing but east
bound passenger trains while the west
bound freight and passenger trains re-
spectiveIy likewise have track to
themselves.
The club features of the Pennsylvania
reading parlor with easy chairs and
divans; current literature; telegraphic
market report; a convenient buffet, ana
a bath and barber
The observation Pullman car is hand
sonely finished and the Pullman cars
are the latest patterns with drawing
rooms or berths as desired, electrically
lighted throughout, and with electric
fans in the summer.
Mr.. Thorpe is sending out from ms
office in the United States Bank ouIlo-
ing at Omaha, some elaborate booklets
and souvenir pamphlets descriptive Of
tbe resorts on the Pennsylvania lines
ana of the historic and other points of
interest in the various cities reached
bv the railroad The booklets are
works of art and are highly valuable
aside from the fact that they are got
fev7 ont primarily to exploit the superb
oYifv of the Pennsylvania system.