The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-17
RAILROAD NEWS.
Block System Of II landing Trains
in Vogue on Santa Fe.
Main Line Trains Are Immune
From Collision.
IN USE FOR SIX YEARS.
During That Time Has Been
But One Passenger Collision.
Middle Order" Plan May Be
Adopted on Branch Lines.

The numerous railway disasters OF
the past summer are attracting wide
spread attention. Newspapers and the
leading periodicals all over the coun-
try as we'll as patrons of the railways
are demanding better safety devices
for use on railroads.
The agitation has started a discus
sion of the best methods which may
be employed, and railway managers
are now giving. the matter serious
thought.
In this connection it is interesting to
note the record of the Santa F'e rail-
road. The Santa F'e operates trains by
the block system and officials of that
road are proud of the gratifying rec
ord.
The block system has been in use
on the Santa Fee for a term OF about
six years or perhaps a tri1e longer,
and in all that time there has been but
one collision between passenger trains
of that portion of the line operated
under the block system. That collision
occurred several months ago near
Galesburg, ILL.,, and was due in nosense
to inefficiency of the system.
The block system is now in use on
the Santa Fe railroad proper a dis
lance of LOO miles. The main line
from Pueblo, Colorado, to Denver and
the lines south of Florence and New
ton, Kansas, to the Gulf, are operated
under this plan.
The block system necessitates main
tanning both day and night operators
at all stations, and every station OPP
orator is in one sense a train dis
patcher.
The system of block signals was
first introduced on the Santa Fe when
General Manager Nudge was the gen.
eral superintendent of the company.
Mr.. Nudge first put the plan into OPP
h. n fxric hot
Kansas City and Emporia. 1t was just
before the big street carnival held in
Topeka about six years ago. The Santa
Fe was at that time making prepara-
lions for unusual traffic, and in this
respect the company was not diSap-
pointed. AS a means of better protec-
ton for the trains, the block system
was established between Kansas City
and Emporia. 1t neceSsitated some
quick work in making everything ready
to install the new system in time for
the excursions. But it was started I'M
der very suspicious circumstances and
AS soon asst was convenient after that
time the system was extended from
Kansas City to Chicago and south from
Newton and Florence, Kansas, on the
Oklahoma division When the Colo
RADIO Southern made a contract with
the Santa. Fe for the use of the Santa
Fe tracks between Pueblo and Denver,
Colorado, the block system was extend
ed to include that portion of the lines.
The Railway Age, railway trade
journal has been advocating the
adoption of the "middle-order' plan of
handling trains.
In a Nutshell, the t'middle-order'' plan
of handling trains is described by stating
that in giving meet orders to two trains
the dispatcher also calls the operator at
the station where the trains will meet s
well the operators where the orders
are given to the train crews. All three
operators have copy Of the order. All
three operators repeat the order to the
train dispatcher to insure correctness.
The middle man, or the operator at the
meeting point, must put out his danger
board or signal until the first train of the
Two which meet at his station, reaches
the station and gets in the clear sid
ing. 1t is a precaution inasmuch it in
wolves not only the train crews of both
trains, but also the operator at the meet
ing point. The theory is that if the order
is forgotten by one, or even both, train
crews, or overlooked in some manner, the
danger signal of the station operator will
avert a disaster.
1t is said to be one of the best methods
of handling trains on single track lines.