Smyrna times., 1870-01-05
How Trains are Moved by Telegraph.

The Importance of the telegraph in connec-
tion with railways, was recognized many years
ago but the first practical application of tee
graph signals in moving trains was made on the
Erie line in 1850. Previous to that time, Loco
motive engineers and conductors were distrust-
full, and there are several instances on record
of their positive refusal TO obey -telegraphc Or
ders, especially when their trains were directed
to proceed beyond stations, to meet and pass
trains going in opposite directions, except in
cases where such orders were plainly expressed
in printed orders upon their regular tlme-ta-
bles. In 1850, however, when the Erie road
had but single track between Piermont and
Elmira it was plainly demonstrated to the SUI
perintendent 1.-THE late Charles Minot) that the
telegraph would be a great assistance to the
road, and it became plainly evident that the
telegraphlc service must eventually be adopted
upon all main trunk lines.
When the first telegraphic message was sent
over the Erie wires train filled with western
bound passengers was lying at Turner Station,
| awaiting the arrival of an eastern-bound train,
which, by the time table, should meet and pass
| at that point but owing to an accident two
| hundred miles west, it could not possibly ar
rive until five or six hours later. MIR. Minot
was passenger upon the train lying at Tur
ner's. He Immediately decided to test the ac
euracy of the telegraph, and make beginning
points further in advance and not further delay
the stationary train when the track was knowr
to be clear as far as Port Jervis, a distance o
one hundred and fifty miles further west Or
ders were accordingly ly sent over the wire to tn,
station agent at Port Jervis to hold all easterly
bound trains until the arrival of the western
train. This order was given in order to maxi
all safe, and prevent a collision in case the for
mer should arrive at Port Jervis before the lat
ter. An answer was Immediately given by tn
station agent, announcing that he fully under
stood the order and would do as directed. A
appeared safe, and the engineer was ordere
to start west; but, to the astOnishment of MI
Allnot, he positively refused to move the trai
from Turner upon any such arrangement. Nj
MinOt Immediately mounted the locOmotiv,
: pulled out the throttle valve and ran the trai
D himself, assisted by the fireman, and reache
Port Jervis according to programme.
The ice was broken, and since that time tt
telegraph has been acknowledged as a positiV
necessity on all long railroad lines in this cou
try. The form of giving the necessary dire
: tiOns, however, has been somewhat changed
|, and now the conductors and engineers of eaC
u train who receive telegraphic directions a
Y telegraphed the name of the particular poi
at which they are to meet, and answers are
quired from them to ascertain whether tn
d understand orders, before any movement
re made.
lie The following is the form of message requ
e. ed to be sent and received:
re By telegraph from station to conduct
~ and engineer: You will run to = station
S gardess of train number -. 81.
The numeral abbreviation means " How
you understand?'
~ The answer to this dispatch must read as f
D. lows:
De 3d. II understand I am to) run to -
Ill station regardless of train number -.