The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-06
To Insure Safety.

There are standard rules intended TO
insure care and safety in running rail-
way trains and which are supposed to
be obeyed by the crews OF all trains.
Sometimes these rules are obeyed some
times they arc not.
Each train, when I'm service, is sup
posed to be provided with n full crew,
which consists of engine driver, fireman,
conductor and a guard or brakeman for
each car, the brakeman on the rear car
being the fagman OF the train, whose
duty II is 10 guard his train against tail
end collisions
According 10 rule No 90 of the Stand
ard. when a train Is delayed. under cir
cumstances I'm which IL may be over
taken by following train, or needs pro-
lection, the fagman must go back inn
mediately with danger signals sufficient
distance TO insure fun protection. If upon
a level or upgrade, he will fasten one
torpedo on top the rail at least IL tele-
graph poles, or 900 feet, from the rear
end OF his train, then go back six poles
farther. fasten two more torpcdoes on top
of the rail. one rails length apart. il on
a down grade, he will fasten one torpedo
on top OF a rail, at least Is telegraph poles
from the rear OF his train then go back
is poles further and place two more tor
pedoes on the rail- one rails length apart.
After so doing he may return TO point
between the torpedoes 40 placed and wait
for any approaching train, prepared to
display proper signals In full view, using
every effort TO attract attention In sea-
son to stop II.
When recalled, he will look and listen
for any approaching train, and IL none is
located, take up the single torpedo nearest
the train, leaving the other two, and re-
turn TO his train. III he Is recalled before
placing torpedoes at the required distance,
a fusee should be lighted and placed on
the track. a fusee, when lighted, burns
with deep, red flame, which Is an extra
danger signal IL is fastened on the end
of a pointed pike, or short steel rod. and
Is thrust into the ground or tie, where II
is supposed 10 burn for five minutes.
a train approaching on this track
should stop, and remain until the fusee Is
burned out before proceeding. Should the
grade be heavy, weather bad, or view
likely TO be cut off by smoke or steam
from passing trains In tunnels or cuts, the
flagman must 40 as far beyond the dis
tance named as circumstances may make
necessary to protect his own train. And
the engine driver must not run beyond the
distance signal under any circumstances.
In tagging at night great care must be
exercised that a green or white light does
not obscure the red. The stop signal
(red) should be displayed until answered
| by an approaching train.
When the fiagman goes back 10 protect
| the rear OF his train, the next brakeman
must take the flagman's place at the rear
end. and remain there till relieved by the
flagman.
4 semaphore Is a pole with arms, situ-
ated close to the track, which IL governs.
When the arm Is I'm horizontal position
| IL indicates danger. and means stop. This
somaphore IL provided with lights. and
shows red when In the normal position.
1t is only released when the block
for which II serves as an Indicator Is
! known tg.~$e clear for an approaching
train TO proceed. when it shows white.
BY day, proceed" Is indicated by the
semaphore arm being lowered. These
semaphores are controlled by the opera
tor In the signal tower.
The statute gives the engineer absolute
control OF his machine. Should the fire
man interfere in any way with the oper-
ating of the engine he would not only be
violating the rules but would be Grim
inally guilty In case of accident. His
duties. when not engaged in firing. are
To notice carefully the position and In
dication of all fixed signals. and to call
them aloud 10 the engine driver, keep a
sharp lookout for trains, and keep in
mind all orders and notices OF trains. SO
as 40 bo prepared 90 correct any over
sight or mistake This Is the full extent
|, of his duties.
standard rulo 80. no reads: Great
care must bo taken by enginomen Of "A
train approaching a station. where any
train H. standing, receiving or discharging
passengers. and under no circumstances
shall the approaching train run by until
the train at the station has proceeded. -
New York Press.
stubb-How in the world dld you get
that messenger boy 20 run so fast7 Why.
he covered those twenty blocks like n
- 4. u InH r.In