The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-13

tenn will be in operation over about forty
four miles OF double track.
Mr.. Miller in installing his system is using
blocks three-quarters OF mile In length,
though blocks of any reasonable distance
can be used Each block Is operated by an
ordinary track circuit, using the rails for
completion OF the circuit. At one end IL
track battery buried In the middle OF the
track, and wires leaG from this TO the rails.
At the other end Of the block and connected
with the current carrying rails. completing
the circuit is an ordinary relay. This re-
lay controls the circuit OF the next block.
When train or anything breaks the cir
cult the relay opens. communicating a dam
ger signal through contact points on the
locomotive drivers 10 any train in the fol-
lowing block three-quarters OF a mile away.
Therefore IL a train entering "A certain block
is closely followed by another train a red
light would show I'm the cab OF the second
locomotive the instant the locomotive Of
the preceding train entered the block ahead.
and that red light would remain on until
the last wheels OF the last car had passed
out of the block ahead
MIR. Miller says that his apparatus has
been so simpliaed that Il is not likely TO
get out OF order. and that. aside from being
tampered with. IL can be depended upon
with greater certainty than any like sys-
In applying the system TO actual service
the inventor has connected all switch
points and mainline rails in such manner
that the throwing OF a switch 10 turn 4
train from the mainline rails Immediately
changes the cab light from white to red,
and therefore gives instant automatic
warning 10 the engine driver.
Mr.. Miller has been working on his sig
nal since 1883. At that time he had just
installed for the Burlington Railroad
manual block system between Chicago
and Aurora and had charge OF IL after
it's installation. one fOggy night a col
lision half way between the two points
was reported TO the Aurora Office Just
Mr.. Miller was ready 20 leave. He gave
orders 10 clear the track. and. jumping
into cab Of passenger train bound
h..
wreck
Telling the engine driver TO make all
speed. az he had clear track. Mr. Miller
sat on the hreman's seat now and then
urging greater speed. The night was thick,
and the train sped on practically en-
shrouded. the signal lamps along the road
way SO blurred and dim as TO be useless
II seen at all.
Suddenly Mr.. Miller saw in front OF him
on the track a single fash 81 red. The
driver IL, too. He slapped on the emef-
gency air brakes. reversed his engine and
opened the sand box There was strug-
gle 10 overcome the momentum. bat finally
the train came 20 a stop. and after a wait
of few minutes a hagman came running
UP from the rear with his red light. sweat
ing in the fog.
Mr. Miller Inquired for the trouble Ny
way cars just I'm front OF your nose an
severed the breathless hagman, and II
you had gone much further you would
have smashed into her.
Mr.. Miller was incredulous. He had CIV
Ell the order 10 clear the track and he
could not believe there were any trains
ahead OF him. However the train moved
slowly forward and IN a few hundred feet.
sure enough. the way OF a long freight
train blocked the way.
That condemned any sort OF outside sig
nails for me" said Mr.. Miller. relating the
Incident. IF / hadn't 3ust caught that
fash Of red 1 wouldn't be here 10 tell you
about this new system. IL was thar narrow
escape which started me 10 work out an
inside cab signal. Railroad men told me Il
could not be done. and Il looked for awhile
as II they were right Now. however. the
trouble is over. and experts In railroad
operations acknowledge the absolute sue
cUss OF the new signal"