six o'clock
These platforms were found throughout the train , and the passengers were able to pass from one end of the train to the other . It was supplied with saloon cars , balcony cars , restaurants , and smoking-cars ; theatre cars alone were wanting , and they will have these some day . Book and news dealers , sellers of edibles , drinkables , and cigars , who seemed to have plenty of customers , were continually circulating in the aisles . The train left Oakland station at six o'clock . It was already night , cold and cheerless , the heavens being overcast with clouds which seemed to threaten snow . The train did not proceed rapidly ; counting the stoppages , it did not run more than twenty miles an hour , which was a sufficient speed , however , to enable it to reach Omaha within its designated time . There was but little conversation in the car , and soon many of the passengers were overcome with sleep .