The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-05-28
Our Olio.
A WRECKING TRAIN.
How Railroads Open the Line After
An Accident.
New York World

An ACc1QenU.
New York World.
accident to train No. l6, engine 4G,
Engineer A. Jones, Conductor Ia. Wat
son"
1t is dispatch like the above that the
superintendent of railroad breads most.
He may have provided a most careful sys-
TEN of signals, may have perfectly trust
worthy trainmen and competent switchmen;
vet, despite all this, smashups will occur,
trains will collide, tracks will be blocked
and traffic stopped sometimes for hours over
his busiest line.
1t is to prevent the stoppage of business
that every railroad keeps on hand several
wrecking trains which are ready at mo-
ment's notice to go to any part OF the sys-
TEN, clear away wrecks, temporarily repair
tracks and to put engines and cars in suffi
cient good order to reach the repair shops
The moment wreck occurs the telegraph
operator at the nearest station sends dis
patch like the one above, followed by num-
bered answers to the following questions,
which are copied on blank at the super
intendent's office.
!. Place of accident?
2. What caused it?
8. Were any persons injured? If so, what
persons and to what extent?
A. Is main track obstructed?
5. Is the track or roadbed much damaged
6. Is a side track near the obstruction which
can be used to pass trains around?
I. VIII section force be sufficient to clear
obstruction? If not, how much greater force
is wanted?
s. How long will it take to clear the track
so trains can pass?
9. Is engine off the track or damaged
What position is engine in?
10. How many cars are broken or oil the
track?
IL. How many cars are wanted, and what
kind, to transfer freight in?
H. 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.
Surprising it was a freight train that
was wrecked. 1t is bound west, and on
account of a broken rail the train was
thrown from the track, and several box cars
and ''fats" were piled up on both tracks,
The conductor would fill out the blank,
and when received by the superintendent
would read something like the following:
Engine 46-Engineer, Jones; conductor,
Watson; near Brownville; 2, broken rail.
3, none; !, yes; > yes; G, no; Z, wrecking
train s, five or six hours; 9, yes, slightly;
10, seven; II, five; II, four; l3, approach
on southbound track.
As soon as this dispatch arrives at the
Office q spare engine is attached TO the
wreckiug train, gang of E.ep are hastily
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 fiat car with small and powerful
derrick and few spare car trucks. Next
behind comes a box ear we'll loaded with
blocking, which is of value as temporary
foundation for ears whose trucks have been
smashed o. torn from under them. In the
same car is an ample supply 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 a
most interesting one, Some are divided
into two or three rooms by partitions run
ming from side to side at different points
in the interior In the center compartment
of a three room tool car, where the wreck
ers remain when in transit, is a cooking
sloye and all utensils connected with a
range, and hard by is q small pantry in
which is stored big supply Of canned
meats, coffee and utensils to prepare a
hearty peal Adjoining is the ioreman's
room with desk and all material for writing
and the keeping of reports, telegraph ma
chimes, batteries md electrical supplies
The latter supply comes in handy at the
wreck, Wires are carried up from the car
top to one of the railroad wires, connected,
and the force is in communication with the
whole railroad system.
a COMPLETE EQUIPMENT.
Everything which experience has sugges-
ted as likely to be brought into use in re-
moving derailed cars and freight is to be
found in these rooms Along the sides are
! are scOTe UT InOIe Jdchs; souuS vi OhShi
so powerful that single man can lift to Il
height of several inches anything weighing
from 1000 pounds to twenty tOnsi there
are also wrenches, rope, lanterns, axes,
saws, hammers, light and heavy; crowbars,
torches, drills, hatchets and numerous other
appliances. Some new appliance is being
added every time the train goes out, and
all new things introduced in the work are
added as soon as they are out.
It is very seldom that any tool is called
for during the work upon smashup that
is not to be found in the resources of the
car, all of which are accounted for by 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 on experienced mechanic and foreman.
With startling rapidity the Wreck is straight
ened out The locomotive attached to
the train is available to furnish power in
case any hauling is to be done, and if the
engine Of the wrecked train is unharmed
and on the ''steel," it, too, can be brought
into similar use,