Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-10-29
RAILROADS SIXTY YEARS AGO.
Took Two Days from Atlanta 70
Chattanooga.

. most interesting exhibit of the early
DAYS of railroading in this country mas
been found
II 10 a schedule for passenger trains
and rules for the conduct of engineer
mon and conductors on the Western ana
Atlantic. which was at the time and still
10 owned by the state of Georgia. The
timetable is dated March 1, 1859, and was
issued by William NJ. Wadiey. snpefih-
tendent. father of George d. Wadiey. the
latter for many years manager o. the
Central Railroad of Georgia.
In the rules for ens!neermen ana con-
ductors are many which seem quaint IN
this age of colossal raiiroaaing. VI
course the road had only one track
and Rule IA for passenger conductors
shows that there must have been some
DISPUTE when trains met as to whieh
train had the right to keep on It's way
uninterrupted This rule says
AS n general rule when trains meet
between stations the train nearest the
turnout will run back. Any dispute as
to which train is to retire is to De deter
mined at once by the conductors, WITH
out interference on the part OF the en-
ejnemen. This rule is required TO De
varied in favor of the heaviest loaded
engine or worst grades II they meet
near the center"
Rule Z gives the conductor directions
for reporting on the number of passen-
gers who are paying and the number OF
ministers of the gospel who were TO be
charged half price when OH business con-
nected with their calling. The same rule
,hat ha of the state
and the general superintendent of the
road were the only individuals VINO haa
a right to give passes,
The conductor was ordered to Inspect
the running gear of his train at every
station, and. in Rule IL, was admonished
never to leave Atlanta or Chattanooga
without the mail or without first send
ing to the postofflee after it. Rule II
says that a train stopping at any sta
ton at night must invariably be run on
the turnout SO as to leave the main track
clear, and that strict watch had to be
kept in all cases where train stopped
at night.
In the regulations for passenger en-
gnemen there are number which
seem almost humorous in this period OF
railroad management. For instance. the
engineman was instructed that II his
train killed any stock and threw the
cow or cows in such a position as to ell
danger the safety of the next train he
was to stop his train and see tnat the
track was cleared.
Passenger trains We're not to exceed
the speed of their schedule except when
behind time. in which case the speed
might be increased three miles an hour
generally In passing turnouts dhe
turnout evidently was the switching
track the speed had to be diminished to
six miles an hour
Rule might be put in force today with
good effect and to the delight of much
jolted travelling public 1t reads:
I'm connecting and starting with his
train the engineman will be exceedingly
careful in the management of the throt-
tie, so that the cars may not be Injured
or the passengers annoyed b ythe sud-
den violence of the start
This paragraph is found at the end of
the regulations for enginemen:
For any violation of the above rules.
for running off at turnouts. for killing
of stock by daylight and for all other
irregularities the general superintendent
will impose such fines as he deems Just
and called for by the nature of the Of
fense.'
The freight trains took two days to
make the 1871 miles between Atlanta and
Chattanooga. The stops at the stations
varied from 10 to so minutes One Of the
rules for freight conductors about keep
ing a certain distance from the trains
,I<o ~ .l.1 AZ.