Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-07-17
Accidents on RailrOads-Andh how
Guarded against In Germany.

The foreign correspondent of the Iowa State
Register writes from Heidelberg on the recep-
tioa Of the news of the Erie disaster: jz
Nearly all the railroads in Germany have
double tracks thus avoiding one very fruitful
source of accidents-collisions. The traveller
meets many trains daily, passing them at al!
points. And the most rigid regulations are
enforced relative to the passing Of slow freight
marked deviation from the time table Is quite
sufficient to deprive the engineer or conductor
Of bis situation The velocity of trains IS con
siderably less than in the United States. These
ARRANGEMENTS make it much easier to run on
time than is the case with faster time table
In case the train is very few moments behind:
time-a very rare occurrence---lt IS an easy
matter to increase the speed little, and With
out danger. The moderate timetable also
avoids all those accidents that SO frequently &C.
cur on account of our break-neck rate OF mo-
tlOn. ...,, a., .g I.s ...l.lg.. sd vmJ.,y
Another striking feature is the care with
which railroads are constructed. The roads
are graded with the greatest care. Upon the
side OF embankments grass is cultivated, and
thus the washing away OF the track is prevent
ted and its solidity completely preserved,
Trees are also planted upon such places Tor the
same purpose. The same precautions ara OBJ
served in the case of deep cuts to prevent the
rolling down Of soil or rocks. In many places
embankments are made OF stone. Bridges are
almost universally made of the same. substan-
tia material. / do not recolect seeing rail-
road bridge constructed OF the timber trame-
work so common in our land. ..... ..s ~: -
Large rivers are spanned by stone arches,
with foundations deeply laid, and which look
as if they would stand the wear of ages The
rails are firmly fastened together at the ends by
means Of side pieces and screws, thus making
the points of junction nearly as strong as the
rail itself The utmost care is taken in the Sc
lection of the ties and rails. No article of an
inferior quality is admitted, and when tie
begins to show signs of decay, or rail becomes
little worn, it is Immediately removed, and
its place supplied by new one. l have seen
ties and rails removed here that would be con-.
sidered good for several years service at home,
at least in too many cases. '..y's"' H.
A great number of hands are constantly en-
ploycd to keep the road in order. At the dis
tance of about every half mile one sees a neat
but small brick or stone house, IN which hVes
the employee, He always stands in front OF
his door upon the approach of the train, and
signals to the engineer that all is right He
must walk over his half mile Immediately alter
the passage Of train, and must at once repair
the slightest damage which the track may have
suffered. The small extent of his beat makes
it easy for him to do this very thoroughly. :.
Every mile Of German railroad is watched
with nearly or quite as much care as our draw
bridges, and in many cases with even more.
Great care Is taken to prevent accidents Of
depots, in the entrance and exit Of passengers.
No passenger is permitted to open the door
Of the car during the progress OF the train, or
even upon its arrival at tn, depot He must
wait until the door is thrown open by the con-
ductor. 10 .t1 IL. fl. s-... r.. t. o.. .-,."2
With all these and many other precautions
it is not surprising that accidents occur so sell
dom in this country. 1, 4, .----..