Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1888-09-21
HOW THEY WORK.


The Block system NOW In Use ON Tne
Conso1Idated.
The block signal System on the Consohdat-
ed road il working as handsomely as expected
and Ia in very complete operation. The OBJ
iect Of the system is to prevent trains going
In the same direction from getting too near
each other. There can be no danger Of what
are called ssrear collisions" under this SYSTEM
UNLESS, indeed, engineers run by the sig
malls without needing them. The Derby Tram
script, speaking of the tower at the Manga
tuck junction as a sample, says: Suppose, for
instance, that train is approaching our sig
nal tower from New York. The telegraph
announces its coming while it is yet several
miles away, near the next tower toward New
York. Our operator first asks the tower be-
youd him towards New Haven If the track is
clear for this train to pass; receiving an af-
frmative reply on an electric bell, he sets his
signals at "safety" to indicate to the en-
gineer of the approaching train that all is
right and he can proceed. As soon as the
train has passed he shows the changer"
signal, which would bring any follow
ing train to q dead halt. Thus the adj
vancing train is protected by the danger
signal at the tower behind it; and the cleo
trio arrangements connecting the levers
which work the signals are such that the
operator cannot remove the danger signals
until the train has passed the next signal
tower and electric information has been sent
back to the tower; the same electric current
which conveys that information also unlocks
the levers and enables the operator to show
q safety signal to the next train which comes
along. Thus advancing trains are passed
along from one watchful signal man to an
other till the end the of journey is reached.
sA.I,a lzS<r L. fosS I,n ions
are arranged with similar regard to safety.
Levers which move them are SO interlocked
with each other that when everything is ar
ranged for train to pass on the main line
the signals on the branch line cannot be
moved from changer" and the switches to
let branch train in cannot be thrown until
all signals on the main line have been set at
danger" It is mechanical impossibility
to have the signals on both the main and
branch lines show tsafety" at the same time;
no laundering signalman can in any way
bring about such a condition of things; for
safety signals on the main line securely lock
the branch signals at danger" and vice versa.
undertake to run his train by the Changer"
signals, he could not cause a collision, Tor
there is on each line, near the junction, a
'sderailing" switch; and a train running by
danger signals would not reach the other
line, but would merely run off the track be-
fore it could get thereI This would be I'M
pleasant, but it would not be SO bad as col
lision.
Drawbridges are protected by similar de-
railing switches; these switches are so con-
nected that when the bolts which hold the
draw that when the bolt is drawn to release
the draw, the switch is opened like trap, to
catch any train which may try to get upon
the bridge It is mechanical impossibility
for any train to enter any drawbridge on
the Consolidated road unless the draw is in
place and securely locked; If the engineer at
tempts it he will only run off the track.
In short, an inspection of the safety devil
COS now used on the New York division OF
the Consolidated road is greatly conducive to
peace of mind when travelling. With its
perfect appliances for security, with its fine
road bed, powerful engines and superb equip
ment, the only thing which the public can
reasonably demand of its addition is better
rate of speed. The fastest trains in England
between London and Edinburg, run at an
average rate of ffty-two miles an hour. The
quickest trains between New York and New
Haven make tribe less than forty miles per
hour. Better speed will doubtless be made
soon as the four tracks are finished between
New York and New Haven.
AFFAIR Haven Girl Assaulted.
Joseph Wegerbaur, a German about forty
years old, was arrested yesterday by Officer
Shamp for an indecent assault upon Mabel
Rothaar, the six-year-old daughter of Chris.
TOPPER Rothaar of 1877 Saltonstall avenue,
Fair Havan