“Yes, sir,” assented the foreman proudly. “You know it has been practically abandoned except for coal freight, since the south line was completed. It’s used as a belt line now—transfer at Shelby Junction.”
“What’s the condition.”
“Risky. We sent a freight over this morning. It got through four hours late.”
“But it got through, you say?” spoke the official earnestly. “Get the dispatcher again. Ask for details on that division. Don’t lose any time.”
The foreman was busy at the ’phone for some minutes. As he held the receiver suspended in his hand, he reported to the railroad president:
“Snow and drifting wind reported between here and Dunwood.”
“What else?”
“Look out for washouts and culverts and bridges damaged by running ice and water between Dunwood and Kingston.” 229
“That’s half the forty-five miles—go head.”
“Between Kingston and Shelby Junction water out over the bottoms and flood coming down the valley.”