Blue hen's chicken. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1848-1854, 1854-07-28


RAT ROAD SwIrou.-Bclow will DO found the
description Of newly invented Self-Actng Rail
Road Switch, which we copy from the Boston
Herald. The inventor, Mr.. David II. Richards,
has already made sc, ersl valuable inventions,
amongst which is valuable lock. These ma
chimes we are informed are about being intro
duced on the whole line of the Erie Rail Road.
We recommend it to the confederation of the
philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Rail
Road, who are always amongst the first TO adopt
Improvements to save the lives of their psssen-
gers.
NKw SELF-AcrIxo RAILROAD SwrcH.-A
promising and important invention In railroad
switches has attracted recently considerable
degree OF attention from those interested in such
matters. II is supposed the track Gamble chang
ed by means Of machinery without the intervcn-
tim ola switch-tender, and that in such way
as to be of immediate practical benefit. A frog
is placed between the rails ofthc track connected
by levers with the rails TO be moved, and AS the
engine passes over, toggle is dropped, which,
passing through grove in the centre ofthc freq
an pprcssing Materially upon the 6angcs or sid, :
Of the groove, Instantly. and with great precision
effects the requisite Change. If this inven.
ton can be successfully carried out in practice
then in the first place the recruitment ofswitch-
tenders is done AWAY and the safety Of pnsssn-
gers from accidents resulting FROM the careless
ness or ineiicicncy Of those appointed 10 attend
the switches is materially enhanced.
| This Improvement is so constructed, that the
engineer, by attending to his duty in relation IL
the switch, IL becomes Of no moment whether the
tract, is right as the train approaches or not
since the result will be the same. fin the dar.
kest night, the train ought to proceed upon Il
track diverging from the one ii is running on
the switch is not correct II will be set right as the
engine passes over it. Again, NY the use OF this
Invention, the engineer on the train without the
assistance ofhands upon the truck, can run the
engine off on one track, leaving the train of cars
in tho rear to proceed on the other.
| Letters Patent have been duly secured, and
various models have been constructed and ex-
libted, aud met with universal approval and
admiration. The honor Of this invention is due
to David II. Richards, who has already won lau-
rcls as All invcntOr.--A company has been form
r ed consisting Of capitalists and scientific men
and the general introduction Of this improve
ment may be confidently predicted.
trial has been made and the experiment hat
proved abundantly successful. Louis. S. Dennis
who has had the management ofthc affairs ofthl
company, obtained, through the kindness OF tn,
Superintendent and Directors OF the Boston ant
Maine Railroad, leave, 10 make an actual tril
upon the road, and necessary preparations wer
4 made upon the Branch road nj Wilmington, ant
! number Of gentlemen were invited and wer
present to witness the experiment. The passen
gers were seated in the car, and passed safe
$ and smoothly TO and go over the tract, tn
change being effected without any motion o
shock whatever being made sensible TO thos
within.
The machinery is remarkably simple and ca
: lpahlc of being constructed so us TO he exceed
ingly strong and durable, aud in no way liable L
iUaff fsaff nriR ID
usual objections that have been urged against al
? attempts heretofore at the construction Of sci
r acting railroad switches.-Those best compe
teut TO give an opinion have pronounced this in
yention TO have all the elements of complete an,
: speedy success. Much time, labor and none.
J have been expended in maturing and perlectnl
G the original plan, but appearances seem to in
dictate that the outlay will be amply repaid
Another exhibition is speedily to be given ant
an opportunity will be afforded thereby to thos
Z, DESTROYS of witnessing its operation, and OF ex
$ aminins and Judging for themselves.