Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-03-01
l. M. NEW ALL.STEEL TRAIN FROM OMAHA
 ID NEW ORLEANS
Special Goes Thru P. B. on Test Run, Preliminary
 to New Service.

Travelling on schedule calling for 45 miles an hour, running time, 8 special, all-steel absolutely up-to-the- minute train of II coaches passed through Pine Bluff shortly after 3 o'clock yesterday morning en route from Omaha Neb. to New Orleans and making test of equipment, track condition and schedule time prepara- tory to the inauguration by the Iron Mountain within the next two or three weeks of regular service between those cities.
 The Graphic as long ago as last summer made the exclusive an- nouncement that Iron Mountain of- ficials had decided to arrange for such service and that orders had been is- sued for the equipment to be of all steel and of the very latest design. New and heavy engines likewise were ordered while a considerable amount of work was started improving the road bed laying heavier rails and otherwise arranging for the new fast, heavy through train
 Definite date for the inauguration of this new service has not yet been announced by the railroad, but this is expected to be done within the next few days, as it is understood all pre- parations have been completed and all the required rolling stock has been delivered to the road by the manufacturers. The operation of the "test train" yesterday is believed also to be forerunner of the begin ming of such regular service.
 The train yesterday carried as pas sengers about 250 bankers, whole sale merchants, meat packers and other big shippers from Omaha and other points in that vicinity, wEo be- gan the original agitation for this new service. Also in the party, were quite number of big insurance men, taking advantage of the opportunity to travel on the train. while en route to New Orleans for their annual out i ing.
 The train arrived at Pine Bluff at 3:10. a. m., just five minutes behind it's schedule time. Traffic officials ] and employees of the road were all on the Qui vive over the passage of the train, and all were watching with more than the usual interest, the manner in which the train maintained the exceptionally fast running time l schedule prepared for it.
 Local officials of the Iron Mountain have no information relative to the new service. They are interested 1T the matter more than is ordinarily the case, because of the fact that the new service is expected to open g new and rich territory for the roads passenger business. From both termini of the proposed new run" it is expected the road will obtain a large business, not only of persons destined for the other terminal, but also in every large degree, of people bound for Hot Springs, and other points along the line, CT nearby.
 Pine Bluff will be an important point on the line, because of the new service, for the reason that the new fast through train will bring thou sands of people tKrougn this section who would not otherwise come through this part of the country Heretofore. most Of "he travel be- tween Omaha and New Orleans has been routed through St. Louis, over the Illionis Central and other roads The Iron Mountains new service is expected to shorten the time, and be- cause the equipment will include all the modern conveniences of travel, I is expected to be a successful com. petitor for tho business.