The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-05-13
|FOR A SPECIAL TRAIN
Quick Action Is Necessary When
One Is Ordered.
WORK OF THE DISPATCHER.

This Official Has a Complicated Task
In Putting the Special Through
Without Interfering With the Run
ming Time of Other Fast Trains.
Suppose you wished to take special
trip to any place on the map and the
hour Of your sudden resolution was 2
a. m. The chances are against know
ing how to make this mastery move
at such an unearthly hour, to say moth
ing Of knowing how to go about it
during the hours Of business. 1t is
easier than the INITIATED possibly may
believe. OF course the principal thing
is money, the thing that makes both
the mare and the special train go.
The train dispatcher is the official
who can start the train while his supe-
riors are asleep and when wild eyed
man vino has a race against death to
make halfway across the continent
dashes into the station looking for a
train that will make the distance on its
own schedule. What the chief dis
patcher wants to be sure about is the
identity Of the applicant for the I'M
usual privilege and in this connection
whether he Is able to pay for spe-
cial
Five thousand dollars in bills will
make the dispatcher feel very much
like ordering out the train. A deposit
Of that amount in his hands will I'M
doubtedly bring the train out in a few
minutes after the order is given. Some
times call on the telephone to the
residence Of well known citizen who
says he will be responsible for the cost
Of the train will answer the require
ments Of the dispatcher, or the check
of the applicant, If he is well known
citizen, is a sufficient guarantee. 1t
can be made large enough to cover the
bill for the special.
In the case Of wealthy man who
will let nothing stand in the way of
accomplishing his purpose the cost OF
the train is not a previous considera-
ton. He simply wants to get to GER
tain point at certain time. Getting
there on time is the uppermost thought
In his mind. He PAGES restlessly up
and down the platform until the train
backs into the station or on to the sid
ing where he is notified 1t may be wait
ing for him. Unless he stipulates that
a private car be used In the train he
will get a Pullman all by himself or
those who accompany him. The use OF
a private car costs more, but is pre-
ferred by the wealthy patron. When
everything is ready for embarking the
work of the dispatcher has just begun.
This official must put the special
through without interruptfng seriously
the running time of other fast trains.
1t takes some ticklish work, for the
other trains must be "cut out" on side
tracks just before the special Is to
pass. In this way the schedules of the
other trains are not broken more than
few minutes. The special dashes
past on the right Of way, and the regu-
lar fast train follows 1t. Freight trains
using the same track are apt to lie on
the sidings longer than the passengers
because they cannot make distances
between sidings quick enough to cut
out in time to give the special clear
track.
The man who has paid his good
money for the right to the track does
not expect to be stopped en- route, and
It becomes the business Of the railway
or railways over which he Is racing
against time to afford him all the facil-
tiles. Usually in case Of such an ex-
traordinary emergency the railway
takes great pride in making a record
run and landing its patron at his des-
tination in time to accomplish his pur-
pose. The best engineers obCainaDle
and a trustworthy conductor are plac-
ed in charge Of the equipment OF one
engine and one car, for the running Is
at rate of speed not undertaken 10
the passenger service.
Usually the extraordinary passenger
is required to give the railway COM
pany some form Of release from re-
sponsibility for loss Of life or injury
from accident due to what might be
regarded under ordinary circumstances
as reckless speed, but the man who
is racing to see loved wife or daugh-
ter or son is always willing to take a
greater risk than at any other time In
his existence But not only Is his own
life. but the lives Of the train crew, In
jeopardy during wild race over the
rails. However, on such an occasion
the whole crew is imbued with the
excitement and heroic nature Of the
fast mission and contribute In every
way to the fulfillment Of the errand.
Thousands of dollars have been paid
by private citizens for just such races
with death and sometimes where great
financial crisis is at stake. The rail-
way companies, despite the large homo
rarium received for undertaking such
journeys, are loath to accept passen-
ger on these conditions. The crisis
must be one that involves remarkable
stress of mind and money. Usually
their acceptance Of such great respon-
sibility both to the single passenger
as well as thousands Of others who
may be using the tracks at the same
time is governed by a great deal OF
sentiment-St. Louis Republic.