The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-02-19
GREAT INVENTION.
With Beacon Eye Railroad Locomo-
tives Will See, and
MAKE COLLISIONS IMPOSSIBLE.
All Engines Will Soon Garry Vertical
and Horizontal Search Lights
to Prevent Running In
to Each Other.
to Each Other

\ practical demonstration Of the
utility CT a new departure which, it is
claimed by railway officials, will effec-
lively prove the solution in large de-
gree Of the railway collision problem,
was made Thursday night on the Chi
cago, Milwaukee and st. Paul road
near Chicago.
The device consists Of an exceeding
~ powerful headlight, which not only
perfectly illuminates the track with
an intensely brilliant shaft Of light for
a distance Of a mile, but also embraces
the striking and novel feature Of a
beam Of light Of about equal brilllancy
penetrating over seven hundred feet
above, which can be clearly seen ten
miles distant.
1t is thereby possible for approach
ing trains to absolutely locate each
other by this vertical shaft Of light,
though miles apart, and it is this fea-
ture which railroad officials claim will
eliminate the possibility Of collision.
This vertical beam will, in hilly coun-
try, especially, where curves in the
track are numerous. so positively tlX
the location Of trains that nothing
but carelessncsS on the part Of engine
men will permit collision.
The apparatus consist CT a power
full electric arc headlight, a dynamo
and steam motor, all OF which occupy
the space on the locomotive usually de-
voted to the headlight. The dynamo
which generates the current for this
vcritable headlight occupies a space
OF less than fifteen inches wide direct
" behind the headlight and is opera
ted by a motor driven by steam impact
on a turbine wheel The current is
six thousand candle power, which can
be reduced to any degree Of brilliancy
at the will Of the engineer.
One the heaviest passenger engines
on the Chicago, Milwaukee and ST..
Paul, experimentally equipped with
this headlight, drew a special train a
number Of miles out Of Chicago last
night, and a practical demonstration
Of the working Of The apparatus was
given under the supervision Of Charles
". Adams, formerly assistant pener-
al passenger agent Of the Pennsylvania
system.
Alta distance Of half a mile the tel
egraph poles and framework Of sema-
phoreS were clearly defined, while the
track bed itself was distinctly visible
for one mile. Straight above the To-
conlotive shaft OF light as thick as
a mans body penetrated the darkness,
and persons posted ten miles away
reported that it was clearly dis
tinguishable. This is an entirely new
departure in headlight illumination
and railway signals.
1t is further proposed to convey sig
mails Of distress or other communica-
tions when trouble occurs between
telegraph points by the use Of colored
glass to color the vertical rays Of light.
Among those aboard the special were
II. R. Williams, general manager OF
the c., NJ. and St. P: W. J. Under
wood. assistant general manager; c.
A. Woodward, general superintend'
ent; T. A. Miller, general passenger
agent, and +. A Gibson, division su-
perintendent, and it was their unani'
nous opinion that the headlight was
thoroughly practical and would be-
come one Of the future requisites in
railr0ading,