The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-05-26
A WRECKING TRAIN.
How Railroads open the Line after an Ac-
cident.
Nc,y York World

LtCU L Wv uVte
Accident to train No. 16, engine 49
Engineer A. Jones, Conductor L. Wat
son."
1t is dispatch like the above that the
superintendent of a railroad breads most
He may have provided most careful
system of signals, may have perfectly
trustworthy trainmeu and competent
switchmen yet, despite all this, smash
ups will occur, trains will collide, tracks
will be blocked and traffic stopped some
times for hours over his busiest line.
It is to prevent the stoppage of busi-
ness that every railroad keeps on hand
several wrecking trains which are ready
at a moments notice to go to any part
of the system, clear away wrecks, tenn
porarily repair tracks and to put engines
and cars In sufficient good order to reach
the repair shops.
The moment a wreck occurs The tele-
graph operator at the nearest station
sends dispatch like the one above, fol-
loved by numbered answers to the fol-
lowing questions, which are copied on q
blank at the superintendent's Office.
i. Place of accident?
9 What cansed iL9
8. Were any persons injured? ? II 80.
what persons and to what extentf
4. Is main track obstructed7
5. Is the track or roadbed much dam
aged?
6. Is side track near the obstruction
which can Ge used to pass trains around.
7. Will section force be sufficient TO
clear obstruction7 If not, how much
greater force is wanted.
8. How long will it take to clear the
track 80 trains can pass?
9. Is engine of the track or dam
aged? What position is engine in?
10. How many cars are broken or of
the track2
II. How many cars are wanted, and
what kind, to transfer freight in?
1 I12. How many car trucks are needed?
ing the accident.
This is made out in full and sigoed by
the conductor.
HOW AN ACCIDENT IS REPORTED.
18. Remarks of any nature concern.
Supposing it WAS freight train that
was wrecked. 1T is bound west, and on
account of q broken rail was thrown
from the, track, and several box cara and
"Aats" were piled up on both tracks.
The conductor would fill out the blank,
and when received by the superintendent
would read something like the follow
ing: Engine 46-Eugineer, Jones con-
ductor, Watson; /, near Brownville; 2,
broken rail;3, none; 4, yes; 6, no; 7,
wreckiDg train; 8, five or six hours; 9,
yes, slightly; 10, seven; II, FIVE; -,
four; l3, approach On southbound track.
As soon as this dispatch arrives at the
Office q spare engine is attached to the
wrecking train, q gang Of men are has
tily put aboard, the conductor gives the
signal and the train speeds away I'd the
scene of the disaster.
The train is made up ofthree cars, the
first fiat car with small and powerful
derrick and a few spare car trucks
Next behind comes box car we'll 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 hswsers, chains
and canvass covers to protect perishabe
freight from rain and SNOW.
The tool car is last, and this indeed is
the most interesting one. Some are di-
vided into two or three rooms by parti-
tions running from side 10 side at differ.
ent points in the interior. In.the center
compartment of three room tool Car
where the wreckers remain when in tran.
sit, is cooking stove and all uten.
sils connected with range, and hard by
is small pantry in which Is stored big
supply of canned meats, coffee and uten.
sils to prepare hearty meal. Adjoin-
ing is the foreman's room with desk and
all material for writing aud the keeping
of reports, telegraph machines, batteries
and electrical supplies.
The latter supply comes in handy at
the wreck. Wires are carried out from
the Car top to one of the railroad wires,
connected, and The force in is commnni.
cation with the whole railroad system.
COMPLETE EQUIPMENT.
Everything which experience has sug-
gested as likely to be brought into use in
removing derailed cars and freight is to
be found in these rooms. Along the
sides are score or more "jacks," some
of them so powerful that a single man
can lift to the height of several inches
anything weighing from 1000 pounds 10
twenty tons; there are also wrenches,
ropes, lanterns, axes, saws, hammers,
light and heavy crowbars, torches,
drills, ha.chets and numerous other ap.
pliancss Snme new appliance is being
added every time the train goes out, and
all nes lhing. Introduced in the work
are added az soon Us they are out.
1t is very seldom that any tool is called
for during the wurk upon a smashup
that is rnt to BIZ found in the resources
of the Car, I'll of which are accounted for
by man vino keeps record Of every
piece taken out and returned.
Upon the arrival Of the train q. the
wreck the men are put to work in charge
of an experienced mechanic and fore.
man. With startling rapidly The wreck
is Strengthened out The locomotive at.
tached to the train is available to fur