The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-18

RAILROAD NEWS.
Brakemen Lewis and Harper In
vent Signaling Apparatus.
Kansas City Southern Train
men Become Inventors.
SUDDENLY WEALTHY.
Will Sell Franchise for Quarter
of a Million.
Device Will Prevent Rear-end
Collisions.
SUDDENLY WEALTHY.

Fred w. Lewis and Walter l. Har-
per- two brakemen on the Kansas City
Southern road, have invented and pat
ented an apparatus for signaling trains
from the rear, and for their franchise
will receive quarter of million dol
lars
The patent is very simple affair, as
all valuable inventions are, and the two
trainmen can hardly realize the for
tune that is awaiting them for their
idea Both Lewis and Harper work out
of Mena. Ark, between Stilwell and
Mena. The invention is an automatic
signal light intended to protect the rear
end of trains against rear-end cOllis-
IONS As all railway men know, the
present system of markers on the rear
end of train is confusing and unsafe.
In a large railway yard with scores Of
red, white and green switch and sema-
phore lights shining the same collisions
occur on account of engineers mistak-
ing the rear lights of trains for sema-
phore or switch signals, and dashing
ahead until they crash into the rear
end of the train ahead.
Brakemen Lewis and Harper had an
IDEA that signal which would be in
constant motion would be a great i'm
provement over the present system,
with the principle that the alternating
flashes of a revolving beacon in a light
house attract more attention than the
steady light, and the trainmen decided
that alternating flashes would be bet
ter than the present signals. After six
or seven months of study they invented
this signal apparatus. The motion is
derived from the rear axle of the car.
An upright shaft runs from the axle to
the roof OF the car or coach and there
comes in contact with the gear wheels
which give a rotary motion. The light
or lantern does not move, but the col
ored globe revolves around it
The globe consists of bulls eyes of
red, green and white glass. so that in
revolving the flashes Of color alternate.
AS the motion 1x1o
the faster the train is moving the faster
the signal revolveS. and the flashes oc-
cur at quicker intervals. The apparatus
is SO arranged that when the car or
train stops bright red signal is shown
which can not be mistaken for any but
danger signal and all trainmen know
what a red light means. When the train
starts up the red light Is automatically
removed and the flashes start up. When
a train is backing up the signal flashes
in an opposite direction. The engineer
of a train following another. can tell by
the signal whether the train ahead is
moving or not, whether it is moving
forward or. backward and how fast it
is moving from the revolving of the
flashes of light.
Lewis and Harper were not content
ed with their model but attached it to
car and found that it would work to
perfection. They then consulted with a
patent attorney and through him pro-
cured a patent on the signal The pat
ent was applied for on February 25.
and was issued July Is. last They not
only secured a patent in the United
States but also in Germany. Austria,
British India, France, Prussia, England,
Canada and Mexico. The next step was
to interest some capitalist. Neither of
the railroad men had means sufficient
to exploit the patent on the market. A
firm of railway contractors in Chicago
| were interested. One Of their represen-
tatives came to Mena and examined the
patent thoroughly. He returned to Chi
cago and the result was that the two
| young men received a few days later a
proposition which nearly too their
! breath away. 1t was to the effect that
| they would pay $3.50. 900 for a complete
surrender of all rights. title and inter-
est in the patent in the United States.
| Canada, Great Britain, Mexico and
France, provided that they should have
so days to close the deal. In the mean
| time they are experimenting thoroughly
with the idea in the car works at Chi
cago and if they find it practicable they
will close the deal. The so days will
| expire in about one month now.
| Lewis and Harper are both confident
| that the idea will prove all thew claim
! for it, and are also confident that they
| will be wealthy men within 80 days.
| Lewis says that engineers have made
| an estimate the cost of the apparatus