The President's Special (1914)
John Farley and his wife were in very comfortable circumstances. They owned their own little farm and, as a result, were able to live very nicely on John's income as a railroad switchman, and to put money in the bank as well. The one great drawback to the farm, was the fact that it was so far from the tower in which John worked. Tired out from his long day's work, John was frequently nearly exhausted when he had finished the long walk home. As a surprise to her husband, Mrs. Farley one day took the money she had saved up, and bought a second-hand automobile. After that, John Farley always rode to and from his work. One day, a note was brought to Farley telling him that Flood the other operator, was sick, and unable to go on duty. Farley sent word to his wife that he would not be able to come home, and settled down for an additional eight hours on his station. Just as Mrs. Farley came down to bring her husband his dinner, a message came over the wire directing Farley to sidetrack train No. 49 in order to make way for the President's Special. Before she left, Farley happened to mention to his wife that No. 49 had been chartered for a picnic party. After his wife had gone, the overworked Farley fell asleep. He was awakened by the roar of a passing train, No. 49. It was too late to do anything, and the agonized man realized that nothing could prevent a terrible catastrophe. Mrs. Farley, at home, saw the passing train, noticed the children waving flags, and in a moment of utter horror, realized what had happened. There was only one thing to do. Jumping into the automobile, she raced after the flying train. A long road lay alongside of the railroad track, and down this she tore, the little automobile straining every fiber to overhaul its gigantic rival. Meanwhile John, out of his senses with the horror of it all, paced up and down the switch tower, picturing the terrible scene which must result when the two fast trains met each other in head-on collision. But the miracle happened. Nellie reached a crossing before the excursion train, and forced it to stop. Acting on her frenzied commands, the engineer backed the train down to the siding just in time. The President's Special tore by and Nellie rushed in to carry a message of incredulous joy to the crazed man inside the switch tower.
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Charles Brabin | Director |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Charles Ogle | |
| Gertrude McCoy | |
| George W. Anson | |
| Margaret McWade |
