The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-07-15
Accidents ON RafIroads-How they

Accidents ON RafIroads-How they
are Guarded Against An Germany.
The foreign correspondent of the Iowa
State Register writes from Heidelberg on
the reception Of the news Of the Erie
disaster:
Nearly all the railroads in Germany
have double tracks, thus avoiding one very
fruitful source of acci Observation-Disclosures
The traveller meets many trains daily, pass
ing them at all points. And the most rigid
regulations are enforced relative to the pass
ing of slow freight or accommodation trains
by express trains. A marked deviation
from the timetable is quite sufficient to de-
prive the engineer or conductor Of his stu
alton. The velocity Of trains is considera-
bly Iess than in the United States. This
arrangement makes it much easier to run
on time than is the case with faster time
table. In case the train is q very few mo-
ments behind time-a very rare occur
rence-it is an easy matter to increase the
speed little, and without danger. The
moderate timetable also avoids all those
accidents that 80 frequently occur on ac-
count of our break-neck rate of motion.
Another striking feature is the care with
which railroads are constructed. The roads
are graded with the greatest care. Upon
the sides of embankments grass is cult
waited, and .hus the washing away Of the
track is prevented and its solidity COM
pletely preserved. Trees are also planted
upon such places for the same purpose.
The same precautions are observed in the
case of deep cuts to prevent the rolling
down of soil or rocks. In many places en-
bankments are made of stone. Bridges are
almost universally made of the same sub
stantial material. do not recollect seeing
a railroad bridge constructed of the timber
Framework so common in our land.
Large rivers are spanned by stone arches,
with foundations deedly 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 ana
screws, thus making the points OF junction
nearly as strong as the rail itself. Inc Ut
most care is taken in the selection 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
it's place supplied by o new one. l have
| seen ties and rails removed here that would
be considered good for several years SER
vice at home, at least in too many cases..
A great number of hands are constantly
employed to keep the road in order. At the
distance of about every half mile one sees o
neat but small brick or stone house, IN
which lives 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 hall
mile Immediately after the passage of 6
train, and must at once repair the slightest
damage which the tractemay have suffered
| The small extent of his beat makes it easy
| for him to do this very thoroughly. Every
mile of o 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
at dep0ts, in the entrance and exit of pas
sengers. No passenger is permitted to oper
the door of the car during the progress o
the train, or even upon its arrival at thu
depot. He must wait until the door Ii
thrown open by the conductor.
With oil these and many other precau
tons it is not surprising that accidents oc
cur 30 seldom in this country.