The Critic and record., 1891-04-20
TESTING A NEW CROSSING SIGNAL.
Danger NJ Railway Crossings on the -.
M O. to bo AVnided.

& q. to he Avoided.
General Agent Alvey of the B. & o.
Railroad conducted Commissioners Doug
lass, Ross and Robert, Captain Lusk and
Captain Rossell Mcssrs. Clark, Selden
and few newspaper men to n point
few miles out Of tins city last Saturday
afternoon to witness the operation of the
Browne railway crossing signal.
Mr. Charles Il. Howell, the manager of
the Browne patent signal, explained the
device which. in its operations, is very
simple. It's merits were brought before
the Commissioners in practical way,
and though they expressed no opinion,
they appeared to be fayorably impressed
with IL.
For the past year one of these signals
has been in successful operation at Elk
ridge Landing station q few miles this
side of the Relay House. This one has
given entire satisfaction to the railroad
officials, who now await the report of the
commissioners before adopting IL IN this
city.
The signal proper is about twelve feet
high, with an encased revolving disk two
feet square, operating a gong which can
be heard half block away. The disk Is
of two colors, red and white, and at night
the flashings of two lights attract atten-
ton as far as they can be seen. Inside the
watchman's box Is another gong, which,
at the approach of train half.a-mile
away, begins ringing, notifying the watch
man of its approach. Bv this signal he
has ample time to lower his gates before
the arrival of the train. At Elkridge cross
ing there is n sharp curve which pre-
vents one from seeing an approaching
train until IL is too close for one to cross
the tracks ahead of it. Three minutes
from this crossing the train now presses
the lever, which starts the machinery in
the watchman's box as well as that in the
signal proper.
About half or three quarters of mile
from q crossing a lever six feet long is
placed alongside of the rails in such a
manner that the weight of the engine will
be brought to bear upon II, when IL falls
to level with the rail, and the depression
thus caused forces down bellows, which
is under ground. The spurt of air thus
made goes through an iron tube TO the
| signal post, where II enters an air pump,
forcing IL open in the manner described
| and releasing q pair of tongs which hold
| the clockwork. The tongs being open,
| the clock starts and causes an incessant
| Clatter of bells until the entile train is
about ten yards past the post. a duplicate
| lever is passed over, which discharges the
air. This releases the pressure on the
| tOngs, which close instantly and the clock
| is stopped, the disk and the bells cease
| their clatter and The watchman returns tc
his pipe and coffee until the sounding OF
the gong warns him of the approach OF
another train.
Where there are curves there is great
danger of persons getting killed by {
fast moving express, which may be {
minute behind time, and as the watch
man at the crossing has had no warming
the company is sued for damages
After the party had examined tn,
apparatus they went to Trinidad wher
the Commissioners examined the devic
used for raising and lowering the gates
On the return trips the various crossing
were examined and the "Y'' inspected
On this branch of the road some ugl,
curves are to be seen in the vicinity o
crossings.
The Baltimore and Ohio authoritie
seem very much pleased with the signal
and, it is expected, will put them in al
along their lines. They cost but 5000 ant
require no repairs. Electrical signals ar
liable to get out of ORDER but in this ther
is nothing but air used, and that is alway
to be had,