The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-04-18
Citv Intelligence.

IMPROVED PATENT CAR BRAKE.-A number Of gentlemen
connected with the railroad interest," started yesterday
morning from Jersey City in four Of the New York
and Erie Railroad to test car brake, notice of
which has already appeared in our columns The train
to Paterson and back, and number Of trials
had which tested invention severely and secured for
II the appreciation Of the company The great merit of
this brake is that the engineer has full control of
every brake in the train no matter how long IL may be
what speed it may be running. By simply pulling
string, spring attached to the brakes is brought into
operation, and the train almost immediately stopped
method Of stopping the train by brakemen, who must be
warned by the whistle in Of any danger and after
that must from the part Of the at which they
are stationed to the brake wheel In case Of any OBJ
sructon danger on the road which Of course first
seen by the engineer, the time wasted In calling the
brakemen and in their running to the brakes Is saved
difference in time perhaps equivalent 10 the loss Of
HUNDREDS Of lives and Of torture and agony TO az many
more The fearful Norwich disaster would never
have happened had this description Of brake been in
Very lmsny OF the dreadful railroad accidents which
have excited the herror Of the community and entaed
serious loss to the railroad companies, might have been
avoided by the timely stoppage OF the trains The first
and second trials the Lroad to Paterson not
the third trial however, while the train was going at
the rate Of thirty miles hour it stopped in forty
FIVE seconds the engine being reversed at distance Of
$50 feet, on slightly inclined grade On the fourth
trial with the same speed, az still more downward
grade it stopped at distance Of feet in So seconds
Of So miles hour in 25 seconds at distance Of 375
feet II is not proposed to discontinue the employment
brnkemen lndeed, tE1s operator intsnde1
trains that require to be stopped slowly The jar in the
sudden stoppage, by the way is not great would
be supposed. At recent trial the Harlem road the
experiment resulted follows
First TriuTran running about 30 miles hour, engine
reversed and the operator applied, stopped in 35 feet
Second TTfaSame speed down grade of3o feet stop
Third Tria-same speed down grade, and brakes ap
piled in the ordinary way, stopped in 700 feet
Fourth Triasame speed, same grade snd same brakes
his invention IL well worthy the attention Of railroad
companies nor is the public unioserested In matter
that will insure the safety Of life and property
OCCUPATION vKSus.-This evening long looked for
event. among astronomer and other scientific men, will
Ia Ike pscethe planet Venus will be hid from view by
the moon. About hour after sunset Venus may be
observed in close contguity with the Moon and gradu
ally approaching nearer, will ct sk O'Clock be entirely
obfcured. The occultation will last about twenty Eve
min utes, when venns in all her usual brllancy and
beauty, win make her appearance from behind the
The rarity OF this phenomenon will doubtcause the
housetps 10 be crowded with anxious spectators Those
fond OF astronomy study should not miss the pre-
sent opportunity OF witnessing the occuaton Of Venus
MARRIAGE CITY 0nIcIAI.-C 7. MeClenachan,
Esq, Clerk OF the Board Of Councmen, was united IN
weolock. yesterday, in st. Thomas Church, Broadway
10 Miss Louisa Parsons. The ceremony performed
by the Rev. Doctor Neville and Witnessed by large
number Of friends, including many members and officials
of the Common Council, and thsir ladies. The happy
couple lett New York immediately after, rovte for
Washington and southern tour.