The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-05-20
FROM Mr.. SHELDON
He Writes of Experiences
Abroad for State Journal.
Contrasts Methods of Travel
With Those in America.
COMMENTS.
Drawbacks of COmpartmentCars
and Station Designations.
Three Months Yet Before He
Will Start Home.
Durham, England. May 3. 1907.

To the editor of the State Journal:
One cannot travel long in England
without noting very great differences
in the methods of travel between here
and the United States. Some of these
differences are agreeable, some are not.
Inasmuch as am obliged to be on the
railways every day, going to a new
place l naturally make observations.
L notice in the first place that nearly
every one travelling in England gets to
his destination alive. That is one object
in travelling and the people over here
seem to have achieved it. Then 1 notice
that nearly all trains are on time all
the time. 1 have Travelled from Melrose
In Scotland to Sandown in the Isle of
Wight, and from Lowestoft east Eng
land, to Ramsey in the Isle of Man,
ana only twice have 1 been on a train
that was over fifteen minutes late.
The separate compartment coaches
are very nice when travel is light and
very disagreeable when travel is heavy;
as for instance, one holiday, when 10
people got into compartment seating
only eight passengers AS I was one of
the 10 1 speak from personal knowledge
of the discomfort.
Practically all regular passengers go
third class. The fare is just half first
class rate, and the accommodation good
enough, especially for short trips. On
all long distance trips now can be found
corridor trains, but the service of those
trains does not compare with our regu-
lar day coach service at home
All Americans complain, and 1 think
quite justly, of the English habit of
covering their stations over with patent
medicine posters. These posters are
nearly always bigger than the name of
the town. Inasmuch as no one on your
train ever announces the name of a
place when you arrive at it. the stranger
is often perpleXed to know whether he
has reached Pears Soap or ''Beecham's
Pills" 1 have heard even Englishmen
complain of this, and when he COM
plains of his own railways there must be
some reason for it.
People travelling in England are more
polite than in America. They say
THANK you" on the least provocation,
and when they leave the train they
say Good day." to the rest of the
company. Trains stop longer at sta
lions than ours do, and empty and fill
quicker.
One feature of railway refreshment
rooms is the sight of the bar maids
serving beer and gin. Nearly every
loon attached to it with young women
to serve liquor.
1t is almost impossible to get a ride
on an English engine. I have had one
call it.
I was looking at the engine at a sta
ton just before the train pulled out
and asked the driver question. He
answered me very pleasantly and then
asked me what part of the states
came from, and when 1 told him he
asked my name and then said, i've
read one of your books. Don't you
want a ride?"
I never felt prouder of compliment
AS he said the superintendent would
permit the ride on that particular bit
Of track, 1 accepted his invitation.
n0NI
miles from Topeka tonight, in an old
English town that dates back to the
year 500, or Whereabouts. 1t will be
three months before I can start as a
traveller for home. but I can truly
say I shall not be sorry to book" my
ticket through to Topeka. Kansas, when |
The time comes and welcome again the |
familiar remark which is never heard |
over here, Don't forget your pack |
lges.'' Very cordially,
CHARLES NJ SHELDON