The New York herald., 1879-07-12
STOP THE TRAINS.
THREATENED DANGER ON THE METROPOLITAN
81" ROAD IN TURNING THE CORNER OF SIXTH
AVENUE AND FIFTY-THIRD STREET.

THREATENED DANGER ON THE METROPOLITAN
81" ROAD IN TURNING THE CORNER OF SIXTH
AVENUE AND FIFTY-THIRD STREET.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
That there is a crash impending on the Metropoli-
tan Elevated Railroad at the corner Of Fify-third
street and Sixth avenue no one who has watched the
movements of the trains and the operations Of the
switches and signals for a moment doubt
Whether the crash will be slight resulting only in
damaged locomotives. splintered and some
frightened passengers. too thankful for having es-
capped bodily injury to complain about lesser evils
whether the trains to be precptated into the
street beneath, with mangings too dreadful to be
mentioned. seems to depend the doctrine of
chances rather than any sufficient precautions to
prevent the possibility Of accident.
live at the junction of these two roads, and have
simply to relate what have to demonstrate
the substantial foundation for the belief that an
accident here is inevitable. Noticing and wondering
the great rregularity in the speed of the trains
passing this point. few weeks ago began to watch
carefully the operations with passing
TINS corner. In regard to the speed there is the
greatest difference. Some trains proceed over the
switches with the greatest and at very low rate
of speed, while others pass several times faster.
There is utter absence of uniformity in the speed
at which trains make the curve or pass over the
frogs and switches. Three times l have seen the
connections of the flexible pipes between the cars
which regulate the air brake astened while pass
ing this place. and twice have been trains when
the same thing happened. OF the
train cannot be stopped in case OF dan
tireiy insufficient hand brakes. Not two weeks
ago saw the switch moved for the following train
before the passing train was fairly Oft the rails.
then thought that only a little more carelessness
might have thrown the train from the track. Just
such an accident did happen only the other day at
Fifty-ninth street and Ninth avenue. About
month ago saw o train move past signal to stop
the green signal-wthout needing it, To be sure
engine passing under tit was the upper west
side signal-but the engineer could not IL, and,
though the track was ready, how did he know it?
As consequence OF such carelessness saw. not
long ago, train pass to the switch before it was
ready that is. It began to turn around into Fifty
third street and had 10 back down, wait until the
switch moved for it to 80 straight on to Fifty
eighth street. and then proceed to its destination
have not yet seen many mistakes made by the
track shifters and my inf is that the danger
lies chiefly in the carelessness OF the engineers.
Probably the fault lies mostly in not having sufii-
cently definite rules regarding the movements of
the trains at this important point or in not enforce
ing such rules as they have. When the trains first
went around ut very rapid rate. fully rapidly a.
they now pass into Amty street. But about three
days after the accident the New York road they
seemed to have heard of 1t, and there great
deal more exercised for while. And now some
trains seem to move with care. while others speed
around the corner at rate which, II any of the
cidents of misplaced switch, unlocking OF the tube
connecting the air brakes, not needing the signals
(which have personally wtnessed) should be pres
ent, there would be the elements OF collision and
possible disaster. l...I. |F.. &
RUN.
But why should there bo any risk in so important
a matter? That this is point OF danger the railroad
authorities seem to admit The City Hall and the
Grand Central branches OF the Now York road have
lain idle for months because the president Mr. Field
threatened to resign IL even an attempt made to
connect with the main road after the accident.
There is perfect solution to the difficulty. Let
every train come to full stop before passing this
point. There is what scientists call sequaton OF
error in every human being II takes time for the
brain to The time that IL requires each indvd-
uai to think Is capable OF exact measurement. No
more trains have plunged into the on the New
Haven road the law, passed after the Norwalk
disaster required all trans to stop before pass
ing any drawbridge. Train after train was
piled up ut the junction of the Harlem and New
Haven roads until every train coming on to the
former road was brought to full stop. The men
who stand in the cab here have to move several
levers to control the switches and signals for each
train and the trains pass about minute. The
human brain cannot endure such "a strain and work
always with precision. And among several scores
OF engineers allowance should be iuade for the In
competent careless. overworkcd sick and possibly
the drunken. The possibility OF accident ought
to be provided against aud that be done only BY
bringing every train TO full stop before passing the
dangerous point; and when signalled to 40 forward
it should be ut rate of speed making destructive
collisions impossible.
VIII the authorities take warning in timc?
{. FAYETTE TAYLOR, NJ. ID.