Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1909-07-14

ruttin9 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 tha
hour Of your sudden resolution was
n m. The chances are against know
Ing how 20 make this mastery move
al such an unearthly hour. to say moth
Ing or knowing how 10 go about n
during the hours of business. II a.
easier than the initiated possibly may
believe or 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-
rlors are asleep and when n Wild eyed
man who has n race against death TO
make halfway across the continent
dashes into the station looking for
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 un-
usual privilege and I'm 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 viii un-
doubtedly bring the train out I'm a few
minutes after the order is given. Some
times "A call on the telephone TO the
residence Of well known citizen who
says he Will be responsible for the cost
Of the train VIII answer the REQUIRE.
mcnts OF the dispatcher. OF the check
OF the applicant. II he is well known
citizen, Is a sufficient guarantee. It
can be made large enough 20 cover the
bill for the special
In the case OF wealthy man who
viii let nothing stand I'm the way OF
accomplishing his purpose the cost OF
the train is not n previous consldera-
ton. He simply wants to get TO a 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 Il may be wait
ing for him. Unless he stipulates that
n private car be used I'm the train he
VIII get Pullman all 10y himself or
those who accompany him. The use Of
n private car costs more. but Is pre-
fcrred 10y 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 interrupting seriously
the running time OF other fast trains
II takes some ticklish work, for the
other trains must he ''cut out" on side
tracks just before the special Is 10
pass. In this way the schedules OF the
other trains are not broken more than
few minutes. The special dashcs
past on the right OF way. and the regu-
lar fast train follows IL. Freight trains
using the Same track arc apt 20 lie on
the sidlnvS longer than the passengers
because they cannot make distances
between sidingS quick enough TO cut
out Ia time to give the special clear
| track
The man who has paid his good
money for the right 10 the track docs
not expect 10 Ice stopped en- route. and
| u becomes the business OF the railway
or railways over which he Is racing
against time To afford him all the facil-
| tiles Usually IN c;ySc Of such an cN.
traordinary emergency the railway
takes great pride In making a record
run and landing It's patron NJ his des-
tination ln time 10 accomplish his pur.
pose. The best engineers obtaiuablc
and trustworthy conductor are plac-
ell I'm charge Of the equipment ~ ON"
engine and one car. Tor the running Is
NJ n ratc Of speed not undertaken I'm
the passenger service.
Usually the extraordinary passenger
/ IS required 20 give the railway com
pany some form OF release from re-
| spouSibility for loss OF life or injury
from accident due 10 what might be
regarded under ordinary circumstances
as Il reckless speed. but the lnan who
| Is racing 10 see loved wife or daugh-
| ter or son is always willing 10 take 4
| greater risk than ut any other time In
his existence But not only is his own
/ life, but the lives OF the train crew. in
| jeopardy during n Wild race over the
| rails However. on such an occasion
| the whole crew is imbucd with the
excitement and heroic nature OF the
fast mission and contribute in every
way TO the fulfllment Of the errand.
| Thousands OF dollars have been paid
10y 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
1 rarium received for undertaking sucl
| Journeys, are loath 10 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 10 the single passenger
as well rs thousands Of others whC
may be using the tracks at the same
time is governed by great deal OF
sentiment.-St. Louis Republic.