The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-07-18
Accidents on Railroads.

HOW THEY ARE GUARDED AGAINST IN GERMANY.
The foreign correspondent of the Iowa Nd'e
Register writes from Heidelberg on the reception
OF the news OF the Erie dissstet:-
Nearly all the railroads in Germany have
double tracks, thus avoiding one very trul tul
source OF accdents-collslons. The traveller
meets many trains daily, passing them at all
points. And the most rigid regulations are
en- orCed relative to the passing OF slow freight
or accommodation trans by express trains.
A marked deviation from the timetable Is
quite sufficient TO deprive the engineer or con-
ductor OF his situation. The velocity OF trains Is
considerably LEES than in the United States. Phls
arrangement makes 1t much easier TO ruu On
time than is the case with faster timetable
ln case the train Is vcfyew moments behind
time-a very rare ocCurrence-It IL an easy
matter to increase the speed little, aud with
out DANGER. The moderate timetable also
avoids all those accidents that so frequently
occur on account 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 cafe. Upon the
sides OF embankments grass is cultivated, aud
thus the washing away of the track is pre-
vented, and its solldity com mpletey preserved.
Trees are also planted upon such places for the
same purpose. The same precautions are OBJ
served in the case OF deep cuts 10 prevent the
rolling dewn of soil or rocks. In many places
embankmens are made of stone. Bridges are
almost universally made Of the same substan-
tial material. do not recollect seeing rail-
work so common in our land.
Large rivers are spanped by stone arches,
with foundations deeply LAID, and which look
as If they would stand the wear of ages. The
rails are hrmly 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 a tie
begins to show signs of decay, or a rail becomes
a little worn, 1T is imme ediatey removed, and Its
place supplied 10y new one. / have seen ties
and rails removed here that would Ue considered
good for several years service at home, at least
III too many cases.
A great number of hands are constantly EN-.
ployed to keep the road III order. At the dis
tanCe OF about every halt mile one secs neat
but small brick or stone house, in which lives
the employe. He always stands IN front OF his
dOor upon the approach OF the train, and sig.
mails to the engineer that all is right. He must
walk his harf mile Immediately after the passage
OF a tram, and must az once repair the slightest
damage winch the rack NAV have suffered. The
small extent OF his beat makes it easy for him
to DO this very thoroughly. Every mile OF
a German railroad is watched with nearly
or quite as much care as our dTaWbrdgeS,
and in many cases with even more.
Great care is taken TO prevent accidents at
depots, in the entrance and exit of passengers.
No passenger is permitted 10 open the door OF
the car during the progress OF the tram, or even
upon its arrival at the depot He must walt
until the door is thfoUn open by the conductor.
With all these and many other precautions it
is not SUI prising that accidents occur SO seldom
in this country.