Putnam patriot., 1928-05-03
HAS THE BOAT TRAIN
 SUNG ITS SWAN SONG :?

that each night, except Sunday, churn ed the narrow waters of Long Is land sound while you slept, or tried to sleep, the excitement of the voyage usually keeping one awake.
 Perhaps you got up early Co see the skyline of New Work as the vessel passed safely through Hell Gate and down under Brooklyn bridge to Pier 40 North River. You did not see the towering walls of the Woolworth building, nor the Manhat- fan bridge. However New York was New York and just as wonderful to us of that day as 1t is Co us of the present day.
 You got out and took a horse car up town. There this story may well leave you. There alone in New York, Go enjoy a thrill such as possibly has never come to your more sophisticated children or grandchildren of today, for this story concerns the Boat Train, on which you have just ridden. and is not q story of n trip to New York.
 Makes Last Trip?
 Last Saturday night the Boat Train made it's last trip If you be- lieve what you have read in several newspapers that have detailed in news and editorial the swan song of this train, you may agree that this is so. However, there is some question as to the accuracy of the statement.
 With the advent of motor bus and automobile travel, the Boat Train lost patronage. lt lost its power to thrill, especially those whose travelling days began with gasoline power, and to whom q trip to New York is a five hour ride in an automobile. It was q year ago, perhaps two, that the off cials of the road made a drastic change in the veteran train of the Norwich < Worcester, now the New London division of the N. f., N. II. < H. Not having sufficient passenger patronage these officials. perhaps with no fond memories of this old train, de- eided to attach freight cars behind the passenger and baggage ears ahead.
 It was then that the Boat Train became mixed" train. With this transformation it lost it's dignity and much prestige. Only the most faithful Of the old citizens along the line could thereafter retain any of tue former enthusiasm for this veter- an express. Not only did 1t lose its dignity as a passenger train but from an express. running on n fast sched- ule, 1t was relegated to the less im- posing accommodation service. Some of the train crew still maintained the blue passenger uniform while those at the rear wore the blue over alls and denim blouses of the freight service. Still it was the Boat Train and carried its few passengers to and from the New York boat wharf at New London.
 Less Mixed
 Last SatuI day night was the trains last run as mixed train. That isn't quite literally true but 1t is al- most. The train still leaves Wor- cester early in the evening. It is made up of freight cars and an ex- press car and is a train primarily for freight and express. It does, however, carry an antique passenger coach and in this coach, between Web ster and Worcester. passengers may ride, if they so desire. So from Wor- cester to Webster the train still re- mains mixed" train, carrying freight, express and passengers, pas sengers being the least consideration. From Webster to New London the train Is a freight train, no more, no less. However, as the train is still run to carry merchandise from Wor- cester to the New London boat it may still deserve to remain on earth as the Boat Train, and continue it's long service, even though denoted and degraded, until it Is taken of al together That is why we question the accuracy of the statement that, 'The Boat Train made it's last run Saturday night"