Traveling in Comfort

[JesusA (imported)]

Tzu Hsi, China's Dragon Empress, decided that she would visit her native Mukden by rail. The preparations for the journey were daunting. Her Majesty had insisted that the drivers and firemen be eunuchs, and it took some time to persuade her that it was possible neither to castrate trained railway mechanics, nor to teach men accustomed to acting as valets and waiters how to drive a train safely, particularly in the time available. She conceded the point, while still insisting that the rule be observed that no servant should seat himself in the same building - as the train was held to be - as herself. Therefore the engineers had to drive in an upright position, and to rest had to lie down completely (thus ensuring that they were at a lower level than her imperial feet). The atmosphere on board the railway officials' coach was one of rear. Her Majesty had insisted that they should accompany her on the train, so that if something did go amiss she could order the execution of one or all of them forthwith.

FROM: Martin Page, "The Lost Pleasures of the Great Trains"

[Riverwind (imported)]

Makes me want to ride the rails again I will sign up for eunuch conductor. :p :p :p :p :p