New-York tribune., 1902-01-10
A SIGNAL THAT SHOWS IN THE CAB.

| AN ELECTRIC DEVICE VISIBLE TO THE EN-
GINEIsR REGARDLESS OF FOG OR SMOKE.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: While 1 in Buffalo. where 1 remained
for a month after the close of the Pau-American
EXPOSITION my attention was called by friend TO
a new form OF block signal intended for the use
OF railroads by which the signals for the engineer
placed In the cab OF the engine. accom-
panied this friend. Mr.. Failing. TO the Brozel
House. Buffalo. where in one OF the rooms a large
! model. containing tracks. switches. cross overs.
ETC. with a model OF locomotive In tho cab OF
which the signals were placed, and hatcar. was
explained TO me. showing the operation Of a new
signal. The exhibition was conducted In part by
an old locomotive engineer, W. II. Clinton. OF Chi
cago. who for a long time has been In the employ
OF the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad
Company.
As my knowledg. Of railroadng in general and OF
railroad signals in particular has extended
long period of time. l had difficulty in under
standing from the model aud description of the
signal that revol ltion in block signalling was be-
fore me- This was the first Instance. TO my knowi-
edge, In which practical block signal had been
placed in the cab Of a locomotive. To understand
the advantages arising from this change II should
be remembered that the present block signals OF
the most approved form in use on the best equipped
railroads the country consist signals displayed
attached to masts poles at the side or
the track, which intended to be observed by
the engineer as he approaches them In the day
time these signals generally take the form OF
movable arms. which are moved to a horizontal
position let fall less vertical po-
stion by connections with the signalling towers.
and at night by red white lights displayed
the same masts poles. in the position a
occupied by the semaphore arms. while in this
system the engineer does not have to look out OF
his cab to the signals. the signal or
lights OF the present system are replaced by two
electric lights in tho cab OF the locomotive directly
in front OF and in full sight of the engineer and
fireman OF the locomotive
When the track is opened and clear of these
electric lights, which is surrounded by white
glass bulo shines. while IL the track is closed
against the oncoming train the other electric light
nfn sh ss Is IN n red gass bulb shines and the white
sdXaed s nd that 5 he .9 must BRING his train 70 stand
long as the signals are set against him As soon
as the red d light goes out and The white light
hidenGe that the right Of way is opened to him.
BY which it would be dangerous for him to pr9cesd
sssr he viii III. instantly st 1tiy be informed Of i win Be
annS S seGr &c tS the & sfhbtGn Of the sgnal lights
terrible accident which we are called upon to de-
e11a nSf & haye occurred II this system had
running through the tunnel where the accident oc-
The method of conveying the signals from the
signal tower TO the cab of the locomotive was
was simple and effective, and / was assured BY |
Ras hSnIS s
hs the .fe ea fed wo sh SoS@ % always be
signals were properly exhibited / was told by |
miles % he hs 6f Ghcaso g%pqRRg ht a9ST
quincy Railroad was then being equipped with this |
system and perhaps by this time it is in opera |
having had any communication with anybody con- |
neoted with the signal company since / Examined |
the MODEL at the Brozel House, in Buffalo.
flnding among my papers the circular OF the |
signal company in question, together with nv |
hoasRt VISIT S the to interest," sss ssh, Of
the public at this time, when ones attention.
is being called TO the dangers and horrors
ing from the defects the system reneraIIv 4
employed by railroads. 1 should call attention
through the columns OF your widely read news |
paper TO one form of signal by which the dangers
or collisions. either head on or rear end csn he 1
practically eliminated. l sincerely trust that the
attention which viii be called by YOUR journal 70
ms novel ana apparently simple and perfect act1
ing signal may result in it's Introduction or m.
roads running into New-York through the tunnel
and thus In future prevent any such frghtful and
unnecessary accident called upon nnvr -
deplore CHARLES n WIJTCSs%A NOV Wv 10 Il
New-York, Jan. 9. 1902. W. "a
The Tribune Almanac will teIv xo. -.
.ne assassinntion of Presfdenf Wctx sroot
ror snie nt newsdealers' everyyyher. ~.
"'"i' i"r =" cents per copy. ny
IHE HARLEM TRAIN RUNNING SLOWLY
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir; In view OF some reports CONCERNING y.,,.r
aaS tunnel accident. wish to state that 50 "a
from the harlem trains running recAlesxIv m. |
engineer had felt his with caution sar.r,,
Ilmes slowing down and at the Tina ~ IN. cout.Ia
plocccoing slowly. evidently under ~ntJr.
IN ',o. ~ any ordinary of the term A. ~
it psoo put very few seconds elapsed betwssv
us report and the crash make thiS oesw esn
n