The Devil & Dan'l Webster

RAILROADS The Devil & Dan'l Webster On a preinaugural demonstration of his new, light, low-gravity-center train, New Haven President George Alpert last week savored the unaccustomed compliments of 225 guests, mostly newsmen, along for the ride. The Dan'l Webster, a nine-car, $1,500,000 train, powered by low-slung diesel locomotives fore and aft, was noticeably smoother and quieter than standard equipment though it cost only $1,650 per seat v. $2,850 for the conventional type. As the train from Boston rolled into the outskirts of Manhattan, it was right on time--in itself a subject for congratulations on the oft-late New Haven.* But suddenly the devil got into the Dan'l Webster. A balky cast-iron shoe on the rear diesel rubbed on the third rail, started a fire that stopped the train in its tracks. After 25 minutes the fire was subdued, and so was President Alpert. Said he, as the Dan'l Webster moved into Grand Central Terminal. 55 minutes late: "If this train had proceeded another five or six miles, I would have been a hero. But it didn't and I'm not." Later, as the damaged engine and two cars made their way to the repair shop, the devil had another go. One of the cars jumped the rails, blocked the tracks, held up 29 outbound trains up to half an hour.

-Since Alpert took over last January (TIME, Jan. 30), passenger trains have improved their on-time record from 84.6% to 94.2%.

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