Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-07-18

as a ticket and was wont to be regarded
by the facetious as death warrant.
Those issued between Manchester and
Liverpool contained the notice: when
seated be pleased to hold this ticket in
your hand till called for IL the passen-
ger survived the journey that was hard
lily the fault of the company. Third class
passengers were herded together in open
cattle trucks which afforded no protec-
ton against bad weather. Moreover, the
companys servants were instructed not
to waste time on these passengers. and
they never exceeded their instructions
save when an obliging faetotum advised
late passengers to run and catch the
train, as it had only just left the sta
ltion. The first-class carriages were COW
cred in, and their occupants ran less risk
of being joted out when the train went
round curves or over crossings. Persons
of quality were allowed to use their pri-
vate carriages, which were hoisted on
trucks and coupled TO the train, though
this method of travelling received set
back when truck which contained
private carriage uncoupied in Baieomue
Tunnel on the way TO Brighton, and the
unfortunate passenger was left stranded,
and nearly frightened out of his wits
Twelve miles an hour was considered a
good speed. When travelling from Man
chester to Liverpool the trains always
made a lengthy stop at Newton. in order
that the passengers might refresh them
selves with Eccies cakes, IL a passen-
ger lost his hat he had no scruples about
jumping off and chasing it. for he was
certain of catching up to the train, or
halt would be made to take him on
board again.
Some Of the stations were remarka BILE
specimens of architecture. The station
at Moreton. near Hereford. on the old
Shrewsbury and Hereford line. was mere
lily an oak tree. The station masters
from that point of vantage he issued
tickets AS for signalling arrangements.
palatial Office was inside the trunk, and
the officials trusted largely to luck At
some points candle stuck in the window
informed the driver whether he was
TO 60 forward or stop. In other places
he was guided by a lamp swinging from
a high post But as there were not
usually more than three trains day.
and these ambled along. signaling was
not of prime Importance. Nevertheless.
it is not to be wondered at that Queen
NittOTld SteduidStfF lCtuSFu u tIdNcl ny
train during the first two years the Great
Western was running, and for number
OF years the Duke of Wellington could
not summon up sufficient courage 10
Journey by rail
The first excursion was weird and
wonderful affair. It was from Loughbor
ough to Leicester. and was organized by
Thomas Cook In 1871. The charge was at
the rate Of half penny mile, and the
trip created a sensation. The $40 pas
sengers were treated as heroes A brass
band played them to the station at Lei
cester. and the whole of Loughborough
turned out to greet them. 1t was an his
torfc occasion. On the arrival home Of
these adventurous trippers another ova-
ton awaited them. and they were made
to feel their Importance in the general
scheme of evolution
But crusted members of the old school
were not so easily won over. Certain no
BILE lords would not hear of the railway
passing over their lands. and threatened
the surveyors with violence The QUAR-
terly Review" in majestic style, oblit-
Grated railway pioneers by declaring
1--WE deem them and their visionary
schemes unworthy of notice. Inc
gross exaggeration of the powers of the
locomotive ssteam engine Tor. to speak in
plain English, the steam carriage}8may
delude for time, but must end IN the
modification of all concerned When it
was proposed to connect London with
Woolwich by means of train, the speed
of which would be u miles an hour The
Quarterly stood aghast: With all
these assurances we should as soon ex-
pect the people of Woolwich to suffer
themselves to be fired off upon one of
Congreves ricochet rockets as to trust
themselves to the mercy of such ma
chine going at such rate. London
Globe.