The New York herald., 1875-11-25
RAILROAD SAFETY SIGNALS.
AN INGENIOUS APPLICATION OF ELECTRICITY TO

AN INGENIOUS APPLICATION OF ELECTRICITY TO
THE SIGNALLING OF TRAINS.
On Tuesday a number OF experts and journalists pro-
coeded TO Mott Haven the quarter past nine A. NJ
train from the Grand Central depot for the purpose OF
examining new system of railroad electric signals,
the invention Of Messrs d. Rousseau and W. c. Smith
Among those present Superintendent Toucey, of
the Grand Central depot; Captain s. Samuels, Station
Master Franklin and the inventors OF the signal system
The party proceeded to the machine shopof the pat
entees at Mott Haven and bad explained TO them
everything connected with this new invention, which
promises to rovolutionize present way OF timing
and signalling trains.
Until couple OF years ago the flag system OF sig
Mailing trains was the only known among railroad
SO many accidents had resulted in different parts
Of the country-indeed, throughout the word-from
this imperfect plan OF guiding long strings OF cars
freighted with precious human lives, that 1t became
necessary above all things for railway corporations to
adopt efficient means that would put an end to tho
happening of accidents through the fatal mistakes OF
careless, sleepy stupid signal men. This means is
said 10 have been found in
SIGNAL SYSTEM.
The road ia supposed to be divided into sections OF
mile in length throughout the whole extent OF whore
the electric signals to be employed Al tho end OF
each section a 'circu coscr Is placed under and con.
tguous to the rail- so that when passes over
that part Of the track, the circuit closer Il lightly
pressed upon, and current Of electricity i estab.
lished stopped, as the may be, between that
spot, the signal disk near by and the signal Office ~
way station or the terminus When the tram leaves
section, the action OF the circuit closer shows
white disk al either end 70 denote that
the way clear and the next tram may enter upon that
portion OF the line In ike manner while the train s
travcrsing section red disks shown, one a each
extremity and this niAlblc sign ~ he engineer
of any approaching train that the section who're such
red signal Is shown is at that moment occupied bg .
passing train and therefore must not bc entered UPON
The obvious result is absolute prevention 81 col
lison unless tho engine driver be mad intoxicated or
asleep When the circuit closer - Pressed upon he
electrician at the telegraph oi.eo lrnan or branchl
Is notified Of the spot where She electric circuit Il
closed and this shows the cfact position of tho TRAIN
aud the corresponding sixnals appear along tho Inc
No engine driver 4 scrmittcd 10 ahead nhefs he
white disks are sIowp In mont u him. The aanFer
and safety signass aCths a chock 70 each oihcn lhc
two signals csnno. be white Al the same moment y =
also impo~sble for the officer 70 signal safety Nhth nc
ought dol t0 do So because the incoming tan oh any
sec.bp of the road closes the circuit and y remains so
dnul the cars leave that DIVISION Y w lv's aS ~ ~
Prevents the possibility Of error on tho part - me op
orator OF course two trains cannot occupy the SAINT
section az the same time.
Tho signal division Of the road II completed onl,
from l5Oth street 70 the Grand Central depot ~ y
NOT Tor the present intended t0 extend The sys
| tom bovond this point for between "A and the Ter
minus nearly all the danger Of collision occurs iron
the frequency Of trains passing and the intrcacy
branch OF from each other 70 leave The trsc
comparatively clear
CAPTAIN s samues and General n. Smith are 81
gentlemen who represent this new acquisition
American ralroadiuR facilities Captain SamncE ~.
understood TO say yesterday that Mr. Pullman, ot n
wel-known car company which bears his name, a.
who is a member OF the British Association ui I'm
Reegs is aRQp 70 innodnna tha JnSeRlon lRso k1sel