New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-28
TO SAFEGUARD BRIDGE.
RAILROAD BO4RD ACTS.
Serious Accident Night Occur at
COney Island Creek.

The State Railroad Commission has found
that should the swing bridge over Coney Island
Creek. on the Brooklyn Heights Railroad Com
pany be swung to accommodate vessel and
the engineer of approaching train. by death.
disablement inadvertence. omit to apply the
brakes there is nothing to prevent the train
from falling into the creek The board has ac-
cordingly made recommendations for the better
protection of the public at this bridge. and the
railroad company has promised to comply with
the recommendations at the earliest possible
date
The railroad material required for the alter
ations asked by the recommendations has been
ordered and by August IS at the latest, ii is eN-
pected that all the recommendations will have
been met.
The three recommendations the first two Of
which apply to the bridge, follow:
That derails be placed in the tracks on either
side of the SWING bridge over Copey Island
Creek these 80 be iIiterocked with the bridge.
Guard rails should be placed on the trestle ap-
proaches To the Coney Island Creek bridge on
either side Of Il.
Derails properly interlocked should be placed
in the Sea Beach tracks at the junction and
crossing Of the West End tracks, near New
Utrecht-ave.
These recommendations are the result OF an
investigation made by Charles r. Barnes. i.e
boards electrical expert, with the consen. and
co-operation of the company. II was made ON
the complaint Of A. s. Wise regarding speed.
equipment. roadbed. etc. the Fifth-ave. ele-
waited line and the Coney Island route Of the
Brooklyn Heights road system
.Do Won mean 10 say" reporter asked Mr..
r2arnes that II train is approaching the
creek bridge, and the bridge happens to be
Swung. there is nothing but the engineers
eyesight and his timely setting of the brakes to
urevent the train tumbling headlons into the
ara q
warning notices set against him. and that If his
.,.eeiebt fails him at the critical moment. II
he drops dead or in any way fails 10 apply or
is prevented from applying the brakes, the
train must inevitably go down under present
conditions"
- do" said Mr. Barnes and it is, believe.
fact that the majority of swinging bridges are
no better protected.
The provision Of derails interlocked with the
bridge however. will mean that when the bridge
,s swung if the brakes not applied az the
,.roner time the wheels Of the train will auto
maticalIv he switched off onto n strip Of ballast
and there safely stalled The guardrails are
to prevent overturning. etc. from broken
nange or other cause.
Mr. Barnes's report to the board was in part
follows:
This company has installed an express service
running from Brooklyn Bridge to CCneE ISiaHd;
make few stops between New-York ana Coney
Island This service is popular, ana trains are
heavily loaded. Under these conditions II am
accident should occur. il would be- no DOUBT a
serious one For this reason a very ;afeful ana
thorough investigation Of the conditions com
plained of by(Mr. Wise was made. rms IN
Guided the roSdbed, equipment, inspection Oh lhe
same. methods of operation protection at cross
ings Of other railroads, streets and highways
and bridges upon the line -,
After leaving the Bath Beach and west rnd
junction the tracks constructed on private
right OF way TO Coney Island. 1t is upon this
section of track that the highest speed IS MADE
in both directions.
The company places their most experienced
men in charge OF these trains. In addition 10
the regular there IL an inspector on every
express train, and policemen are stationed along
the route 10 preserve order. The best cars the
coupany owns the express trains.
These cars are thoroughly inspected every night,
and also inspected at the Coney Island terminus
on every trip.
The report. which IS generally favorable 10 the
oor,panv and it's methods, also speaks very
highly OF the condition Of the track and the
other satety precautions taken.