As it came nearer Helen could hear the low roar of a powerful gasoline engine, which gradually dropped to a sputtering series of coughs as the three car train drew abreast the station.
“Latest thing in local trains,” exclaimed the agent. “It’s a gas-electric outfit with the motive power in the front end of the first car. Fast, clean and smooth and it’s economical to run. Don’t take a fireman.”
Helen jotted down hasty notes. Everyone in the town and countryside would be interested in seeing and reading about the new train.
The agent gave Helen a hand into the cab where the engineer obligingly explained the operation of the gas-electric engine.
The conductor called “All aboo-ord,” and Helen climbed down out of the cab.
The gasoline engine sputtered as it took up the load of starting the train. When the cars were once under way, it settled down to a steady rumble and the train picked up speed rapidly and rolled out of town on its way to the state capital.
“What do you think of it?” asked the agent.
“It’s certainly a fine piece of equipment,” said Helen, “but I hate to see the old steam engines go. There’s something much more romantic about them than these new trains.”
“Oh, we’ll have steam on the freight trains,” the agent hastened to add. “Give us a good write up.”
“I will,” Helen promised as she started for the Herald office to write her story of the passing of the steam passenger trains on the branch line.