Identifier: romanceofmodernl00will (find matches)
Title: The romance of modern locomotion; containing interesting descriptions (in non-technical language) of the rise and development of the railroad systems in all parts of the world
Year: 1904 (1900s)
Authors: Williams, Archibald
Subjects: Railroads Communication and traffic
Publisher: London : C. A. Pearson, ltd.
Contributing Library: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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of theirpassengers. A Hberal application of the cat isthe least punishment fully earned by the would-betrain wrecker. Avoiding any attempt at a detailed list of accidents,which make a sad and morbid chapter in railwayhistory, we may turn to the appliances provided forthe removing of debris from the line and the givingof succour to the injured. A railway ambulance is generally to be found at an important depot,ready for work, like the fire-engine, at a momentsnotice. You may have noticed in a siding a cranemounted on a flat carriage, to which are coupledfive or more vans. There is nothing at all romanticabout the external appearance of the outfit ; but apeep inside those closed doors would at once giveyou some idea of the work which a breakdown trainmay have to do. We will suppose ourselves privileged persons whohave the keys to these vans. One of them is the riding van, in which thebreakdown gang are hauled swiftly to the scene ofaction. Formerly the crew had to cling as best they 208
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■^ h. o•on Si « On 00 = •^^ U -^ B. ^ )^ ^ O c r> « ui ■- u •^rl = o. ^ 5j — s !^ 3 c« ^ fc; P o « ^ ■^ ZJ v^ —^ -*• >>-h •s. So Cl! c 1 Accidents and the Breakdown Train might to any part of the crane, the engine, or thetrucks ; nowadays it is recognised that exposure tothe weather during the journey does not rendertheir labour any more efficient when they reach thespot where it will be required ; and a coffee van is provided. Peeping in, we see that its centralobject is a stove to which an oven is attachedso that the men may heat both food and drink asthey travel. A writer in the Strand Magazine—fromwhich the author is kindly permitted to quote—thusneatly describes the fitting up of the van :— The van is capable of holding forty men. Oneend is fitted with cupboards, which, when opened,disclose flags, fog signals, signal and roof lamps usedfor lighting and protecting the train, as well as trainsignal lamps, ready trimmed fo

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