Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-03-03
An INyESTION THAT CaALLEHGEs
CRITICAL IRQUIRY.

Mr.. Tom w. Neal, editor of the Dyers-
burg Gazette, has been in the city for
two days past, exhibiting an automatic
railroad switch that, upon careful exam
instion and comparison with the latest
and best Of the improved switches (that
by Jennings, OF Nsshville), we are con-
strained to pronounce superior in every
way, and an improvement that can
not fail 10 find its way into gen.
ersl use, enriching the patentees
and saving immense sums to rail-
road companies. 1t is an lion that
chslIengs the critical examination of
railroad experts, and has not yet failed
to receive their hearty Endorsement.
Among those in Memphis who have
seen and passed approving judgment
upon It are Messrs. De Funiac and
Flynn, Of the Louisville railroad; Meigs,
late OF the Paducah and Little
Rock roads; and Burke, Of the Mississip-
pi and Tennessee road. These gentle
men are decided in their approval Of
il, and are Of the opinion that
it will be generally accepted by the rail-
roads Of the country, end effect In the
aggregate q vast saving Of both time
and money. It is a very simple con-
trivance, as all useful inventions gene-
rally are, and may be briefly described
as follows: Attached to the outside OF
the engine, on the right hand side, there
is an iron lever similar to those for let
ting on and shutting of steam; this
controls a rod running parallel with the
engine, which connects with another
crossing the engine at its junction with
ahe cow -catcher. Attached to this lat
ter rod thsre are two cams, between
which and tSe bottom Of the engine
are very strong springs made with a
view to sustaining the pressure Of the
full weight Of the locomotive. So much
for the engine. The switches are pro-
yided with a rod running in the center
OF the track about twice the length of
the engine, 10 cross rods at the end OF
which there are attached two cams CORE
spending with those on the engine, which
when struck by those on the right er the
left of the engine move the switch either
way as desired by the engineer who con-
trolls the lever on the locomotive.
Thus, supposing all the switches
in an immense yard like that
OF the Charleston railroad company,
and the switch. engine to be provided
with this patent, the engineer on duty
could move as many cars as might be
desired without the aid or assistance of
any one, and without once getting of
his engine. And so, if all the switches
along the line were provided with the
1ratent, and all the locomotives, they
could switch on and of at pleasure, dis
pensing altogether with aswitch tender.
The engine can back OF "gO-ahesdn and
change track with or without full head Of
steam. On railroads like the Erie, Penn
svlvanis Central or New York Central,
and at great railroad centers, like Chi
cago, st. Louis, Kansas City, Indisnap-
oils or Cincinnati, this patent will be
found indispensable to practical econ
omy, and we feel sure when brought to
the notice Of the fraternity will be seized
upon as the one thing next to economy
in fuel that railroad companies most de-
sire. Mr.. james, q Dyersburg lawyer Of
repute, is the inventor, and with Mr..
Neal, is joint patentee.