I once had a very thrilling experience while riding in the cab of the
locomotive pulling our train from Indiana, Pa. This station is on one
of the branches of the Pennsylvania Railroad, high up on the mountain,
the grade there being exceedingly heavy. It is, I believe, conceded to
be one of the steepest grades on that system. There is also a
horse-shoe bend, or curve, similar to the well-known one on the main
line. While standing on the platform, about the time the last car was
being loaded, I was accosted by the engineer, who inquired if I had
ever traveled on a locomotive and if I would like to take such a trip.
I replied that I would like to do so, and boarded the engine with him.
A few moments later the signal bell was rung and we pulled out into the
darkness. I placed myself so as not to be in the way of the engineer
and fireman and was soon lost in meditation.
The sensation was indescribably weird and thrilling. The scene was
shrouded in darkness, and, as we flew along the road, the only
discernible objects were the trees, which seemed to me like giant
sentinels saluting as we flew past. Now and then we caught glimpses of
lights in the mountain valleys, but they passed by like a streak of
lightning, so rapidly were we going.
"How far can your practiced eye discern objects on a night like this?"
I asked the engineer.
"Only a rod or two," he answered.
"In that case," said I, "you could never stop the train to prevent a
collision should an obstruction present itself?"
"No--not with these brakes," he replied.
As he said this his face blanched and he whistled hard for down brakes.
Finally I heard him exclaim: "God help us! We're running away!"
On, on we sped down the decline at a speed that was something
frightful. The engine rattled and shook, and several times appeared to
be almost toppling over. It was impossible to stand, and I held on by
the window ledge for dear life. Down the mountain we sped altogether
helpless! We had no control over the train, loaded down, as it was,
with toppling chariots, with horses, animals, elephants, camels and
human freight.