The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-09

"A man who is always looking backward can see where he has been, but not where he is going" said wag once, and he was right.
 Ephraim Slayback. or tEph." as he was called by his friends. was one of the best engineers in the employ of the Great Consolidated Railroad s7 years ago. Not only capable and absolutely ustworthy, but he was a man of exceptionally fine qualities.
 "Eph's' run was from New York to Springfield, Mass. and return the Olds, another first class engineer, had charge of the White Mountain Elk press" as it was called.
 The run up and back in one day two engineers. but both were physi- cally fit for this kind of work and never complained.
 The railroad track through Bridge port along the docks was single track affair. The double track end ed just below the old elevator, long since razed. Just before crossing the railroad bridge there was a switch whereby trains could be turned on and off to the double track towards New Haven. This bit of single track through Brid geport was the source of much vexation on various occasions because passenger trains were often held up to allow clear passage through.
 For safety, signal balls were operat- ed on top of poles, one at the old de- pot and the other at the Junction of the single track, near the elevator. proceed. When it was down the engineer understood he was to stop. Two men operated these signal balls. "Old John in charge of the one at the depot, and Jim Cusick taking care of the one near the elevator. 7 Both these men were constantly on watch and when one saw the ball lowered at the other end, he imme- diately lowered his.- It was a primt- tive arrangement. but in those days railroading had not advanced to the modern methods of today.
 This story tells of the combination of circumstances which brought about the abolition of that single track which was the only right of way own ed by the Consolidated up along the Bridgeport docks. An exchange was eventually made with the old Housa- tonic railroad company's right of right of way. The old Housatonic, or Berkshire division. as it is now called, still uses this bit of trackage from the depot down and under the elevated tracks of the present day to the railroad rioundhouse and yards below the viaduct.
 Thirty-seven years ago Engineer Slayback made his usual run from NeW I OTh 10 SpTlHSHeIu ana reIurn The next day Engineer Olds was to take the trip but he was too Ill to do SO. Slayback was the only available man at the New York end to take the train and he assumed the respon sfbility even though he had made the run the day before and had had no time for sleep or rest.
 When the express reached Bridge port and rounded the curve between Main street and the elevator, the engineer saw the red ball at mast head, which meant, "An right; go ahead" However. just before he reached the signal. It was lowered, but too late for him to bring his train to a stop. A gravel train from East Bridgeport had been given the right of way down the single track, and it had turned on to the double track at the elevator The locomo- tive and several gravel-loaded cars had cleared, but before Engineer Slayback could stop his engine, it struck the middle of the long gravel train, turning several cars over be- sides derafling the locomotive of the eXDreSS