Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 September 1895 — “STAATSBURG RUSHER.” [ARTICLE]

“STAATSBURG RUSHER.”

Novel Feature of the New York Central Railroad. Midway between the town of HhineclltT and that of Staatsburg there stands, on theedgoof the Hudson River bank, a small, covered shed, large enough to contain a locomotive engine, and a cabin perhaps seven feet square. It comprehends one of the most novel features of the Now York Central Railroad, or of any other. At tills point begins a heavy up grade with a sharp curve, which, while it offers no special difficulty to passenger trains—though these sometimes comprise as many as eight oi ten sleepers and drawing room cars—works differently with regard to the enormous freight trains that come in from the West. For a single engine to draw such trains up the Staatsburg grade is almost impossible. 80 the ‘‘Btaatsburg Pusher” was devised and put into operation. It lurks in the little shed, a powerful, sixty-ton engine, No. 80, designed to pull out on receiving the proper signal from the engineer of a down freight train. When the latter Ib about one hundred yards from the “pusher-house,” and slowed down to a speed of tkn miles an hour, the scurries after It. After being attached to it by a brakeman on the rear platform, it “pashes” the train up the grade, which ends at Staatsburg, where it is unhitched and returns to its house again. Of course great care, skill and judgment are necessary on the part of the engineer of the pusher to catch the retreating freight train before it loses way on the grade, and, equally, to avoid striking it with too much force. The Staatsburg “pusher” never sleeps day and night. Sundays and holidays, it stands always with steam up, ready to start offen its flying errand. When the easily recognisable sound made by an approaching freight train is heard, engineer and flremaa stand ready by their engine for the call which may, or may not, be made upon them for aid. This call is two blasts from the approaching engine when near the “pusher-boose,” and it Is at once answered by two similar blasts from the “pusher.” The headlight of the approaching engine is sow seen, engineer and fireman are at their posts, and the long, snake like freight train presently rumbles past. Then Engineer Leo Pan opens the throttle and pushes down the lever, and away the “pusher” dashes after the train that is rapidly retreating into the darkness. It is with tremendous puffing and snorting that the three mile grade is made and the “pusher” backs up tiie track to the siding, and so into the pusher house again, where she looks for ail the world like a great black spider, waiting to dart out upon its prey. Among the Turks bath money forms an item in every marriage contract, the husband engaging to allow bis wife a certain sum for bathing purposes. H it be withheld, site lias only to go before the cadi and turn her slipper upside down. If the complaint is not then eedresmd, it is ground for divorce.