Driving an Express Train.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 14 August 1914, Page 2

Driving an Express Train.

The general public has no idea what the driving of an express train means. It is no exaggeration to say that while the train is running, the j driver's whole life is in his work, : and that he has no time to think ,of anything else hut his engine and , the signals ahead. j An express train often travels at I the rate of sixty miles an ho\ir, and then signals will be passed ' every four minutes, and it can readily be understood that an engine travelling at that high rate of speed will require constant attention. I The strain on a man's mind working an engine a long distance without stopping is very great, and could not be endured for many hours together ; besides, it would not be safe for an engine to travel more thati 180 miles without being examined, and that distance is about the maximum any engine runs on one journey. Two such journeys are a good day's work for both man and en- ■■ gine. The average time on duty j for the men is nine hours a day, beyond which, they are paid overtime. When they are not running, their time is devoted to. overhauling the engine. I