A Palace on Wheels.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4982, 15 April 1889, Page 3

A Palace on Wheels.

Travelling by rail in the United States has now reached the acme of perfection. A train called the Golden Gate Special, now leaves San Francisco for the East on every Saturday evening at 8 o'clock, which would be convenient for passengers arriving from the colonies on Saturday morning who were in a hurry to continue their journey. This train consists of five cars. One can walk right through it from end to end without being compelled to pass into the open air, the whole being enclosed. Next to the engine is the baggage car, which also contains the electric light apparatus, the barber’s shop, and the gentlemen’s bathroom. The barber’s shop is fitted with every convenience to bo found in a first class shop. You can have a shave in the morning, and then walk into your beth adjoining, a bath of hot or cold water, scrupulously clean, supplied with all toilet requisites and an abundance of good towels. You walk into the next car and find breakfast waiting. Seeing a spotless array of glass, silverware, and table linen, and sitting down to a table with a party of three or four friends is calculated to give an appetite as you travel along at the rate of 50 miles an hour and barely feel the motion, so 'excellent are the springs on these new Pullman coaches. On a tasteful bill of fare you find all the fruits in season, spring water, ten varieties of bread, rolls and cakes, oysters, fresh fish, quail on toast, venison steak, and nearly a dozen other dishes to select from, besides eggs and potatoes, coffee, tea and chocolate.

There are two sleeping cars. Each contains twelve sections, a ladies’ bathroom, ladies’ and gentlemen’s toilet rooms, and drawing rooms. They are finished in mahogany, the carpets and drapery being of rich and elegant design and material. A lady’s maid travels on thetrain ) gad is of wonderful assistance to the fair sex

I especially those who travel with children. , The last car is a large open room with easy I chairs, a library and writing material. Here you light your cigar and enjoy the luxury of ' tho smoking ear. All the windows open i almost down to the floor and the rear end , of the car is fitted with gas so that you ; can view the scenery from all points as . you pass through. Lunch is served from , noon till two o’clock, and dinner from half-past five to half-past seven pm. A different bill of fare is given every day. The conductors, porters, waiters, barbers, and steward are moat respectful and attentive. There is no change of cars until you are half-way across the Continent, and then you are sorry to leave the Golden Gate Special. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Pulman at Chicago (says an American correspondent of the Auckland Herald), and congratulated him upon this his latest and most successful achievement. Be is a quiet, unassuming gentleman, and ho modestly replied “ Yes, this is the best car that has left

my workshop, yet I think I can improve upon it in a little time.” He would not say in what respect, and it is difficult to imagine. The electric light is a great convenience, and does away with all risk from fire spreading in case of accident, as was the case with oil lamps. Tho system of heating all the cars with hot water pipes also does away with the neeesssity for.stoves. The temperature is always evenly maintained, and you can sit comfortably with tho thermometer at 70deg.,while through the windows you look out upon ice and snow, where the thermometer is at zero and lower, and you thank your stars that you do not have to rush out to a ten minutes hash house for tough stakes and scalding coffee. It is impossible to conceive how travelling could be made more comfortable as you rapidly and almost imperceptibly glide over the ground. It will scarcely bo believed that tho extra charge for this train, including the price of your meals, is only twenty dollars. The bath alone is worth the money.