Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1873-1877, 1875-05-22
A New Railroad Invention Life Saw.
ing and not "a Patent.

The subject OF communication between
trainmen and enginemen while trains
are in motion is one of such importance
that any improvement of practical utility
Is always welcomed with deserved in
tetrest as step in the right direction.
Many improvements have, OF late years,
been introduced for such communication
on passenger trains. but very little seems
to have been done for freight train ser
vice.
A very simple arrangement has bsen
introduced upon the Great Western
Railway Of Canada. designed by W. A.
Robinson 1.-THE Locomotive and Car
Superintendent of that road), which
promised to he of assistance in the run
ming of the freight trains.
The device consists of the introduction
of mirrors or locking glasses placed on
the engine cab on each side of the roof,
Immediately over the heads of the en-
gineman and fireman, at such an angle
rs TO reflect view ofthe whole of the cars
attached to the engine, and thus render
the train behind as distinctly visable to
the engineman and fireman as the track
in front. The mirrors are secured in a
kind Of bottomless box. and placed over
holes cut through the roof of the engine
cab. The back end of each box next the
tender is provided with a plain light Of
glass. for admitting the view Of the train,
and the frame of the glass is so fixed on
hinges or swivels that it may be con-
veniently opened for cleaning.
The arrangement of the mirrors is such
that the engineman and fireman may, as
often as desirable have an instantan-
eous view of the whole train without
changing their positions. whether
standing at the throttle lever or sitting
down. The mirror boxes may, of
course, be made in one compartment by
simply raising that portion of the engine
cab the whole section, and Introducing
two, or one long mirror the width Of the
cab. and so obtain a still more extended
view what is following behind the engine.
The same invention Is also suggested
by Mr.. Robinson. for conductor of cars,
by means of which the conductor of
freight train. while sitting in his caboos,
could at all fine know the position of
his brakeman while in performance OF
their duty on the tops of the cars. In
the case of caboos cars the mirrors are
placed at opposite ends Of the box, SO
tuHl the IHllIOl on OUt Siut VIII StiNc iOI
trains going in one direction. while that
on the other side will be used when the
car is tsaveling in the opposite direction.
Besides the value of these arrange
ment for the purpose of transmitting
signals to the engineman, and the over
sight of breakman from the conductors
car, there is the very important knowl-
edge at once gained by the engineman
of any accident to the cars of his train,
either by getting off the track. or
through accident from fire. or cars break
ing loose Many instances have occurred
when lives could and would have been
saved from burning cars had the men on
the engine been able to see the cars in
their rear by means of such an appliance.
We understand that Mr. Robinson,
desiring to give the public the beDitit of
this device, places his improvement free
for the use of all railroads desilous Of
adopting the same. No objections as to
The cost, therefore las the apparatus is
simple and cheap, will prevent its
yenelal int-oduction.- Railroad Gazette
A Touch OF NArCRE-A squaw died