The Train Despatcher (1911)
Short | Short, Thriller

The Train Despatcher (1911)

Short | Short, Thriller

The H.T. & D. Railroad engages a new general manager, who, while he has plenty of ability, also has some decided prejudices. One is that women have no business in the service of a railroad, and the first thing he does after being installed...See moreThe H.T. & D. Railroad engages a new general manager, who, while he has plenty of ability, also has some decided prejudices. One is that women have no business in the service of a railroad, and the first thing he does after being installed is to notify the women that their services are no longer required. One of the victims, because of her faithfulness and excellent service, has risen to the position of train despatcher, but she goes like the rest of her sex. The girl lives in a little country town, and is the sole support of her crippled little brother. Losing her position so unjustly was a severe blow to her, but she bravely made the best of it, and hid her troubles from the child. The boy was taken sick one night, and his sister, alone with him in the house, started out over the country road to get a doctor. On her way she crossed railroad track, and to her horror saw that there had been a washout. Knowing the train time as she did, she was aware that the night express would be along shortly and unless it was halted, there would be terrible loss of life. The train was coming from the opposite side of the abyss, so she could not flag it. There was no station near, and no telephone that could be reached in time to prevent the catastrophe. But the girl was resourceful, climbed a telegraph pole, and with a makeshift apparatus called up division headquarters. Even then her heroism would have been of no avail, had it not been for a lucky accident. The despatcher who took the girl's place, was fond of liquor, and on this night, was in a drunken slumber. He did not hear the call, and every moment increased the danger. But the general manager happened to be in his office. He had seen his mother off on that train, and then returned to his desk to attend to some important business. He heard the insistent call in the next room, and being a railroad man, went in to investigate. There he found the operator asleep at his post, and took the message himself. It came in time for him to hold the train, but he realized that he had saved the train's passengers and the mother he dearly loved only by a narrow margin. Also that the one person deserving of credit was the girl he had discharged, simply because she was a woman. The manager made amends the best he could. He restored the girl to her old position at an increased salary, and as gratitude is often akin to love (and with more reason than pity) there is reason to believe that the despatcher lost her job again, but this time to take a life position in happy surroundings. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
2 cast members

Name	Known for
William Russell The Railroad Manager The Railroad Manager See fewer	The Roof Tree (1921)
Elsie Glynn The Train Despatcher (as Peggy Glynn) The Train Despatcher (as Peggy Glynn) See fewer	Quick! A Plumber! (1911)

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