The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-09

by. wheelmen. In fact, the, Invention
has some of the functions Of q cyclone
ter. The device is set up in the cabin
Of the locomotive at point convent
ent to the sight of both the engineer
and fireman.. There are hands on the;
dial of the device indicating any de-
sired distance. The Importance OF the
invention can be easily seen from the
following suggestion.
An engineer at the St. Paul union de-
pot, bound out to Chicago, receives an
order from the train dispatcher to run
to saltwater Junction and there meet
another train bound in the opposite d.
rection. On entering his cab the engl-
neer Immediately sets the dial or the
device at say, twenty-eight miles, the
distance to saltwater Junction. He
starts his engine, and from that mo-
ment his mechanical mentor and
prompter commences its work, perhaps
to save a hundred lives. Behind the
driving wheels of the engine Is a small
er wheel running upon the rail. Al
every revolution of the small wheel,
the record of that revolution is carried
to the Indicator or -cyclometer. The
wheel revolves a stated number of
times per mile. AS the train reaches
the junction, let it be supposed, for
illustration, that the engineer is asleep
or for other reasons, is incapacltated
for duty. He nears the junction, but
does not notice his danger as the train
rushes along. But his little promptor
has been at work AS the dial reaches
the twenty eight-mile notch, the me-
chanism is released and instantly
loud gong commences to sound over the
head of the sleeping engineer. For
twenty seconds the signal continues to
give it's warning, and at the average
speed, the train is nearing the danger
point. But at the end of the twenty
seconds the device takes matters into
its own hands and automatically, by
means If "a powerful coil spring, throws
over the air-brake lever and the train
is brought to an instant stop: II the en-
gineer awakes by the soundssm the bell
or gong, he, of course, can turn the
lever himself, but the device is unfail
ing.
The revolutions of the small wheel
upon the rail accurately denote the dis
lance travelled If the engine wheels
slide when the brakes are applied, the
cyclometer does not lose the distance,
as the little wheel acts Independently
of the drivers which can slip for q
half mile without affecting the accu
rate record of distance Travelled. Cen
eral Manager Scott is practical engi-
neer and railroad man and unders lands
what is needed thoroughly, and Mr..
Jungbauer has an inventive mind
which has grasped each one of the
general managers suggestions.
At one time it was thought that cleo
tricity might be used in the working of
the device. and Chief Operator C. B.
Dawson was brought in to figure out
some kind Of electrical attachment.
But this was thought to be impracti-
cal for the reason that an electrical de-
vice would more easily get out Of re-
pair. Then the inventors went back
to mechanical contrivences with great
success.
few days ago the invention was
given practical and exhaustive test
on the Omaha road, between St. Paul
and Lake Elmo The inventors were in
the cab Of the engine The distance
was figured out accurately in order to
judge of the reliability of the device.
The dial was then set for nine miles,
which would take the engine to the
outer switch at Lake Elmo station.
The engine was run at ordinary speed,
and the small wheel at the rear of the
drivers accurately performed it's func-
ton. The inventors were awaiting the
result with the keenest interest and
expectancy as the engine neared the
station. Just as the locomotive came
within 1000 feet of the outer SWITCH
there was a click in the Indicator and
Instantly gong began it's warming
The inventors looked at each other
with the keenest relief. But 1t was not
all done yet. AS the twenty seconds
wore away and the gong ceased it's
clamor, there came the ear-splitting
kissing of the air brakes and the en-
CINE was brought to dead standstill,
without a human hand being lifted to
assist. There was joy on the cab Of
the engine, and every one predicted
a great future for the device. On the
return trip the invention worked with
equal precision. The next day another
trial was made, after improvements
had been added. This trial was also
very satisfactory. Since that time con-
slant improvements have been added to
the device and now it stands nearly
perfect. Wonderful things are expect
ed of it, for it's field of operations IS
unlimited. Engineers can be required
to set the device at every station at
which train orders are received, thus
protecting doubly the safety of the pas
sengers. Letters patent will also be
taken out in foreign countries for the
device can be operated on one class of
road as we'll as another.