Making up Lost Time.

Attention has again been focussed on the question whether or not locomotive engine drivers should be issued definite instructions to make up lost time on the road. It is contended by some who claim to speak with authority in these matters, that late train running is a possible cause of accidents. This view was, however, characterised by the Chairman of the London and North Eastern Railway Company (Mr. William Whitelaw) as “nonsense from top to bottom.”

Replying on behalf of his Company to the questions asked by Lord Monkswell, as to whether drivers would be given definite orders to make up time, and whether the speed of all express trains serving the principal points of the system would be increased to sixty miles per hour, the Chairman answered both questions in the negative.

“We will,” he said, “as we do, leave to our magnificent engine drivers, than whom there is no finer body of men in this country, the decision as to whether or not they should make up time. They will take into consideration whether they are running up-hill, or down-hill, whether they are approaching a severe curve, or going on a straight road; whether the section that they are on is a long section or a short section, what is the state of the weather, and so forth; matters upon which the engine drivers alone can at the moment form a sound and proper conclusion… If he (Lord Monkswell) were correct in saying that late trains cause danger of accidents (and he is hopelessly wrong), it would follow that no special train could ever be put upon the line without causing danger to the travelling public. I say deliberately that in my judgment he is talking nonsense from top to bottom.”