New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-09
New York, Dec. 30, 1890.
AUTOMATIC BRAKES SHOULD BE INSPECTED.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: viii you allow space for discussing a SUBJ
tect referred 10 in letter from william A. Foster Of
Corning, y. Y, published in your issue OF November
Is! have several devices intended TO take MP
airbrake connections automatically, and thus 10 pro-
vide for the Of brake shoes, etc. 1t TO
that the prime object TO be attained in airbake prac
uce Is 10 have the brakes and all connections In
good order possible and 10 have every means avail
able for inspectors and workmen learn quickly the
exact condition Of the same during the few moments
permitted for such important work. 1t is question
in my mind. if automatic appliances are used 10
up wear inspectors would not rely upon them TO keep
connections in order. and the small time expended
in personal investigation OF actual conditions would no.
further reduced. As the arbrake and attachments
have heretofore been and widely used, there
is absolutely nothing t. SHOW their working condition
except actual use, ana If anything is wrong the in
formation comes too late. The indicators now coming
into use have nothing to do with the adjustment Of
defective conditions; they simply make plain To anv
the maximum piston travel in the last application
Of brakes and the amount available for future work
ing. No two applications Of the brakes occur under
the same conditions. Each time the wear Of brake
shoes, due 10 friction, the piston TO move ont
further properly 10 apply the brakes, and the point Is
approached where sudden application cannot produce
the necessary force because the piston travel no
further, and the small force available will not DO the
work. The moment the air pressure Is released af'cf
brakes are applied the piston moves back 10 It's start
ing point remains there until the next appcaion'
nothing can be learned concerning its available power
to apply brakes except AZ the moment they are used
If good appliances be procured TO take up wear
automatically, them by all means but, none tho
less is it necessary 10 make 1t evident that the auto
matte machine, inspector, or the workmen, 90 their
DUTY and do not leave that information To be gained
at the of life and property, 80 commonly pa'd
for il now. When thinks Of passenger trih'
weighing with the engine, from 300 To Joo tons' tr~'-
elling at the rate OF nearly mile minute ana rely
ing on the ability to come 10 dead stop in less than
roo wards ian outside limit for safety with less than
twelve seconds of time to do it in, one realizes now
vital The subject is In the case OF the dcciucnt on
the old Colony at Quincy, Mass IN August II Is staen
i'm tho rpport Of the Railroad Commissioners iat
had the train gone fory-ye feet less distance ueIe
ynuId have been no of le.' That forty I'VE eet
caused the loss of twenty three ilNcs' anu inI"'' w
or less severe to thirty people, .s. .,a ,,b,.-
We are not moving toward slower speeds ana
trains Every day brings progress IN INC opPo s,n
diracton IL the improvements in the aoully 10 sIoP
ouickly do not advance in proportion TO Increase
speed and weight, simply means greater GnS i''
loss Of life and property. Il H. "N
Buffalo, Dec. u, loJo'