The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1892-03-12

ups VIII OCCUR, ITdlNS Will COlllQo, track.
will be blocked and traffic stopped some
times for hours over his busiest line.
1t is to prevent the stoppage of bust
ness that every railroad keeps on hand
several wrecking trains which are ready
at moments notice to go to any par
Of the system, clear away wrecks, tenn
porar1ly repair tracks and to put engines
and cars in sufficient good order to reacl
the repair shops.
The moment wreck occurs the tele
graph operator at the nearest station
sends dispatch like the one above, fol
lowed by numbered answers to the fol
lowing questions, which are copied on /.
blank at the superintendent's Office:
l. Place Of accident?
2. What caused it2
8. Were any persons injured? II 80, what
persons and to what extent?
4. Is main track obstructed?
3. Is the track or roadbed much damaged7
9. Is side track near the obstruction which
can be used to pass trains around?
7. Will section force be sufficient to clear OF,
struction? If not, how much greater force i,
wanted?
s. How long will it take to clear the track 81
trains can pass?
0. Is engine Off the track or damaged? Wha,
position is engine in?
10. How many cars are broken or off tht
track?
III. How many cars arc wanted, and what
kind, to transfer freight in?
Il. How many car trucks are needed?
l3. Remarks of any nature concerning the
accident.
This is made out in full and signed by
the conductor.
HOW AN ACCIDENT is REPORTED.
Supposing it was freight train that
was wrecked. It is bound west, and
on account Of broken rail the train
was thrown from the track, and sew
eral box cars and FLATS" were piled uL
on both tracks. The conductor would
fill out the blank, and when received by
the superintendent would read some
thing like the following: Engine 46-En.
gineer, Jones; conductor, Watson; l.,
near Brownville; 9, broken rail; 8, none;
4, yes; 5, yes; 6, no; Z, wrecking train;
8. five or six hours; 8, yes, slightly; 10,
seven; II, five; IL. four; 13, approach on
southbound track.
AS soon as this dispatch arrives at the
Office spare engine is attached to the
wrecking train. gang Of men are has
tily put aboard, the conductor gives the
signal and the train speeds away to the
scene Of the disaster.
The train Is made up Of three cars, the
first fat car with small and powerful
derrick and a few spare car trucks.
Next behind comes a box car well loaded
with blocking, which is of value as tenn
porary foundation for cars whose trucks
have been smashed or torn from under
them. In the same car is an ample sup
ply of large and small hawsers, chains
and canvas covers to protect perishable
freight from rain and snow.
The tool car is last, and this indeed
is most interesting one. Some are
divided into two or three rooms by par
htlons running from side to side at diff
ferent points in the interior. In the CEN
ter compartment of three room tool
car, where tho wreckers remain when in
transit, is cooking stove and all uten-
sils connected with range, and hard
by is small pantry in which is stored a
big supply of canned meats. coffee and
utensils to prepare hearty meal Ad-
joining is the foreman's room with desk
and all material for writing and the
keeping OF reports. telegraph machines.
batteries and electrical supplies.
The latter supply comes in handy at
the wreck. Wires are carried up from
the car top to ono Of the railroad wires,
connected, and the force is in communi-
cation with the whole railroad system.
COMPLETE g0CJPMRuT.
Everything which experience has suc-
gested as likely to be brought into use IN
removing derailed cars and freight ia to
be found IN these rooms. AlonQ the
sides are score or more "jacAs," some
Of them 90 powerful that Q sin93e man
can lift to q height Of several inches
anything weighing from |. 900 pounds to
twenty tons; there are also wrenchee.
rope, Lanterns, axes, saws, hammers,
nghe and heavy; crowbars, torches,
drills. hatchets and numerous other ap-
pIances. Some new appliance is beinr
added every time the train goes out, and
all new things introduced in the work
are added as soon as they are ont.
1t is very seldom that any tool iscalled
for curing the work upon a smashup
that is not to be found in the resources
OF the car. all Of which are accounted
Tor py man who keeps record of
every piece taken out and returned.
Upon the arrival Of the train at the
WRECK the men are put to work in charge
OF an experienced mechanic aud fore
man. With startling rapidity the wreck
= straigh htened out. The locomotive at-
tached to the train is available to fur
I'1fA poWsr g " csse any hauling i to ~