Evening star., 1896-11-30

lHlHS "OTheu " peTlcCllOIl
1.-The vital principle of this new system
is that the danger signal is given on a
large gong. which keeps up constant
ringing until the engineer stops the loco
motive. On the first stroke of the gong
the engineer knows there is danger ahead
and cannot ignore it unless he is deaf
Compared with other signal systems this
departure is a radical change. All other
systems depend on the sense of sight
Should the engineer have his attention
momentarly dctracted he may run by a
danger signal without seeing it, as it is
supposed the engineer on that Inflated
train near Atlantic City last summer did.
New Signal and Glass Ties.
Our tests were all of practical ma
ture, illustrating the various ways in which
collisions could occur. A freight train
passing opportunely our special followed
close behind, and almost Immediately the
gong began ringing, notifying the engineer
that there was something the track
within the space Of a mile. One of the
cars was then put OH side track with it's
end overhanging the main rack. Coming
toward it OH the main track the gong again
began it's changing, notifying the engineer
of g danger. A switch was then opened
where it should not have been, and the
gong again announced danger. ringing in
each case until the engineer stopped 1t.
This new danger signal is given cleo
W
under the pilot of the engine with plate
attached to the ties between the rails. A
Gil cult is formcl which will give the signal
whenever there is any obstruction on the
track ahead or when the switches are not
in order.
This signal was the principal feature
in the way Of guarding against mishap.
AS to running of trains, track he'd and
con templa ted improvements, several new
devices were tried an1 those already un-
dergoing service were again inspected. The
mile Of glass crossti:s were inspected for
the third annual time and, 10 ny mind.
appeared in as good condition as the day
they were first put down. The glass used
is of the cast-off kind, and is very cheap,
but the labor connected with the manu-
facture runs the expense 100 hiSh for pres
ent practical use, especially as wood can
be obtained so easily alcng our line. In
the future, when the forests are gone and
they arc disappearing rapidly, this glass
crosstie will have the first call.
Receiving Orders Mt Full Speed.
"Out near Pittsburg we ran against a
new device that does away with the neces-
sity of stopping a train for orders. 1t
frequently happens that orders are neces-
sary for our very speed:est trains and val
liable time is lost in stopping for them,
although the track aheai for several blocks
may be clear. AS 1t Is now, train may
slacken up the engineer make dive with
his hand for the orders. miss them and
then have to stop and back to the tower.
Like all good devices, this new idea is a
semaphore, which consists of an upright
rost, set beside the track. At a height
equal to that of the cab window are placed
when the semaphore is set with orders, eX-
tend toward the track A sack containing
the order, inclosed in a waterproof envel-
ore, is suspended between the arms. A
f1dt fnc
are orders for him in the arm of the sema-
I,hore. At night lights indicate the same
thing.
about the time the engine passes the
semapEore the arms are extended at right
angles to the upright post. with the bag
containing the orders for the engineer be-
tween them. If. at night, 1t shows red
light on both sides as the engine passes, at
TO matter what rate Of speed, the engineer
reaches out his arm and catches the bag.
which is instantly released by the arms.
LAS the conductor also receives his or
ders at the same time as the engineer. a
second bag, containing the orders for the
conductor, is suspended above the bag for
the engineer, and when the latter seizes
the bag intended for him the arms of the
semaphore automatically move to dag
onal position, showing q green light at
night; and the conductor knows that there
are orders for him. II, when the train has
passed, the arms of the semaphore drop to
vertical position. or, If at night time.
Wnlte l1SHtS are SiowH' Tie eHSHeei hhoWS
that both he and the conductor have re-
ceived their orders and the speed of the
train is continued.
ELASTIC bands hold the sacks, containing
the orders, to the arms, which, while they
serve to hold them in place, offer no re-
sistance to the hand of the engineer or con-
ductor. A bulIs-eye in the side of the sig
raj light throws light upon the sacks at
night.
"Our test proved that orders can be TAX
en- in this way with perfect safety by
fifty miles an hour. 1t is impossible TO at
tach the sacks to the arms of the sema-
phore in any position except the right one.
hence the danger to the trainmen is avoid
ed"