The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-31
NOVEL SAFETY DEVICE.
New German Invention to Prevent
Head on Collisions.

Head on Collisions.
Frank H. Mason, American consul
general at Berlin, in report to the
state department gives interesting
| facts regarding a novel safety device
| for railroads which is being tested in
| Germany. This device, an electrical
appliance, is designed to prevent col
llSlons between railway trains and the
tests on one of the government lines
near frankfort, in the presence of a
board of experts, We're successful.
The device is the joint invention of
Hubert Phrmann and Max Wendorf,
| and its construction and operation are
thus described by Consul General
Mason: Midway between the rails is
lald a light third rail of the ordinary
L pattern, the points of which are so
connected as to form a continuous
conductor Midway under the forward
part of the engine is hung the work
ing instrument. an electrical appara-
tus. 1nclosed i'll a square case or jack
ct, occupying a cubic foot of space.
The instrument is connected with a
contact shoe which slides along the
third rail, and by wires with a tele-
phone and electric alarm bell in the
cab of the locomotive, and a red in
candescent lamp, which is lighted by
the same impulse that rouses the
alarm bell into action. A further i'm
provement of the device sets the cleo
trio brakes on the engine or entire
train simultaneously with the alarm
signal which sounds the bell and lights
the red lamp.
The apparatus is so adjusted and
arranged that the engineer can at any
moment by touching a lever, satisfy
himself that it is in full working con-
dition. The recent tests were con-
Quoted on the main line from Frank
tort TO Hanua, and a translation of the
ofnclal report will illustrate concisely
the working of the apparatus.
Two locomotives had been equipped
with the new device. Engine No. 290,
craving a special train and approach
ing Sachsenha&sen station at full speed
received the danger signal and came to
a full stop. The engineer of No. 290
then asked by telephone the cause of
the signal and received from the keeper
OF grade crossing. half a mile in
front, word that a wagon had broken
down in crossing the track and OBJ
structed the line. After ten minutes
wait the engineer of 290 received word
by telephone that the obstruction had
been cleared away, and thereupon re-
sumed his trip.
A mile farther on the signal of No.
290 again sounded, and the engineer
was informed by telephone as before,
that the semaphore round a curve, and
more than half mile distant, was set
at halt" Thereupon engine No. $50
slowed down and proceeded cautiously,
sounding it's whistle at short intervals,
the telephone bell in the engineers cab
ringing continuously until the curve
was rounded, when the ringing ceased,
notifying the engineer that the soma
phore had changed to track clear"
Thereupon No. 290 resumed full speed.
In the tests to prevent collision en-
CINE No. 1,42O came up rapidly from
behind on the same track as No. 290,
which had SLOWED down and was pro-
ceeding cautiously in consequence of
reported danger in front. The moment
that No. 1920 came within 1853 yards
of No. 290 the signal on both engines
began to ring and their red lights to
glow. Thereupon No. 1 420 halted, the
engineer inquired of No. 29O in front the
cause of the alarm and complete I'M
derstanding between the two trains was
Immediately established.
An important point in this connec-
ton is that in practice the same warn
ing signal is sounded upon every en-
CINE equipped with the apparatus
which is on the same track and within
the prescribed radius-a kilometer or
a mile, the case may be-from the
engine and train which cause the OBJ
struction. If semaphore signal be
falsely set at safety the train may run
past it into a block in which another |
engine is halted or moving with perfect |
ample time to prevent a collision under |
any and all conditions of darkness, fog, |
storm mistaken instructions
In effect this invention puts the engi- |
neer of every train into instantaneous
touch with other trains, switchmen and |
station and cross-keepers in his neigh |
borhood and keeps ever before his eye
and ears an automatic and infallible |
signal, which springs into activity the |
that his locomotive, whether |
running forward or backward. comes
within the radius of danger from col
lision.
The government of Russia has OBJ |
tanned license to test in actual service
on it's new military lines in Siberia this
new invention.