New-York tribune., 1902-01-12
CENTRAL'S RELIEF PLANS.
DIRECTORS TO ANNOUNCE CHANGES
SOON-A NEW SIGNAL SYSTEM.


with Tribune reporter. Mr. Gotshall is presi-
dent Of the NewYork and Port Chester Rail-
road Company. which intends to construct an
electrical railway between the east end of the
wilIis-ave bridge, at One-hundred- and thirty
second-st., and Port Chester, distance Of twen-
| ty-three miles He said the road when built and
operated would be equipped with the block
signal system he described The system was
not of his invention. he said. and 1t had
been in operation some railroads long enough
to prove its efficiency. Such system he said
would absolutely prevent such an accident as
the one that occurred in the Park-ave. tunnel
at Fifty -sixth-st. on last Wednesday morning.
The block signals In the New-York Centrafs
tunnel, Mr.. Gotshall said were out of date ana
OF small value in comparison with the improved
modern signals. The contrvance for exploding
a torpedo near the red danger signal In the
Park-ave. tunnel, he said. was intended TO give
an additional warning to an engineer who faiieo
TO see the signal in the thick smoke of the tun-
mel. II was known, he declared, that the tor
pedoes frequently failed to explode. and the req
signal and torpedo together could not prevent an
engineer running his train past the danger mark
sometimes as in the case of the disaster OF
last Wednesday.
A new device Mr.. Gotshall said, absolutely
prevented a train running past the danger sig
nal, even If the engineer suddenly died at his
post The device is part Of a new block system
which is applied easily to an electrical railroad
but be applied to steam railroads as Well
When a train Is block IL is protected by
red signal which Is worked automatically by
the train itself. With the red signal is operated
the device known "tripper," which is placed
some distance back on the next block. far
enough from the red signal to prevent train
running past the signal. If train coming on
~. foilo to hea1 he
TO stop before the "tripper' is reached ali the
air brakes are made to work Instantly, and the
train is brought TO standstil before II can pass
into the protected block,
WORK OF THE "TRIPPER."
The 'tripper' itself is attached to the road
bed. near the rail 1t lies fat when the red sig
nal is not displayed. AS the signal is
turned to protect the block the "tHpper Is
raised automa tically in a position for contact
with a rod projecting from the locomotive. The
striking of the rod by the "tripper' instantly
causes all the air brakes of the train 10 close
on the wheels with full force.
A seal attached 10 the air brakes is blown
open every time train is stopped by trip
per" This makes record against the engineer
who runs too near a red signal, and If he should
be guilty Of such carelessness more than once
his discharge would follow. matter OF
course. The improved signal system gives no
chance for engineer TO be careless without
detection. while it makes him powerless TO do
harm by running too near danger signals.
Some time early in the present week W. II.
Newman. president of the New-York Central
Railroad, will male public a statement about
the causes OF the wreck in the Park-ave. tun-
mel and outline the plans OF the railway COM
pany for making changes in the tunnel which
will reduce to minimum the possibility OF
further accidents. In making this statement he
will also set forth the plans of the company for
doing away with the smoke. gas and vapor
nuisance in the tunnel. Mr.. Newman. when
seen yesterday. said:
81 have nothing 10 say at present ahoub the
matter. We are making investigation and in
due time l will make a statement. Until then
there is nothing TO be said"
IN making this declaration Mr.. Newman would
not give hint Of what the statement would
contain. II is known however. that the state
ment will be made for the entire NewYork Cen
trail system. and will be inspired and supported
by William X. Vanderbilt, the dominant inru-
ence In the board of directors.
The last three days of last week were busy
ones at the Grand Central Station Every off,
cial has been at the highest tension. and the d-
rectors have not been idle. William X, Van
derbilt, William H. Newman. II. MKay Twom-
bly, and other powerful directors have been in
almost constant consultation. The result of
their labors has been TO outline in Skeleton form
a plan Of relief. but nothing definite has been
decided upon. will anything be decided on
before tomorrow Tuesday, if a decision Is
reached early.
OFFICIALS IN CONFERENCE.
There conference at the Grand Central
Station yesterday, attended by w. H. Newman
William X Vanderbilt and II. Mckay Twom-
bly,. The chiefs of the engineering departments
which will have charge Of the work of making
changes in the tunnel were called in for expert
advice. This conference lasted several hours
1t may be stated that 1t is the earnest desire
Of William X. Vanderbilt that something be
done which will make the tunnel absolutely
safe. and which will at the same time make II
clean, bright, comfortable and healthful He has
urged that no matter what the cost this should
be done. and done at once He has placed no
limit on the cost, but rather has urged an ex-
ceptionally heavy expenditure, even IL bond
issue is necessary to meet the necessities Of the
case.
Fully dozen plans are under consideration
each one OF which has something to commend
it. The immediate plans of the company 1t
was said yesterday, to use as little soft |
coal possible engines going through the !
tunnel; to install number of arc lights in the |
tunnel, to powerful fans to drive smoke and !
gases out OF the tunnel and to establish a rigid |
system of inspection of signals and torpedoes
The great desire for permanent change is to |
find an electric motor which will do the work in
the tunnel. At the works of the General Elec- |
trio Company for several weeks tests have been !
made with motor which are said to have been |
satisfactory. At the meeting next week the |
experts reports on these tests will be scruti- |
nzed. If electricity proves feasible then plans |
for changing the tunnel will be taken up at |
nIa do fnxa