The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-17

1t is better than most plans are of the
a.Pe as er fhe bocS System Re6 1t IS not
The block system if faithfully performed
makes it impossible for trains to meet
either head-on or in rear-end collision,
unless the engineer deliberately fails in
his duty. The block system has all the
many advantages which other systems
lack.
lines operated upon the block system has
a train sheet before him. His train sheet
is similar to that used by the dispatcher.
The distance from one station to an
other constitutes a block, and so on, from
one station to the next the whole dis
planning the block system it NAV be nee
essary to take, for example, stations A, B
and Take for instance Westbound
ator at station B notifies the operator at
station c. Both operators make a record
operator at station c then reports that no
train has passed his station eaStbound,
and the operator allows No. 1 to proceed
B the operator advises station A. who
may then allow the next westbound train
to proceed to b, provided B has not al
lowed an eastbound train to leave his
AS soon as allows No. to leave his
station he notifies and no train in the
opposite direction may leave station C.
The rule, it is seen, provides that not
more than one train shall ever be in a
block
A westbound freight train may not leave
reach station c and get on a siding be-
fore a passenger train running in the
same direction reaches station B. the
freight will then have to wait until after
the passenger train passes station c and
reaches station d and passes it before it
may proceed. Oftentimes a freight train
is delayed for long time in order that a
more important train may run without be-
ing delayed.
An eastbound freight may not leave
station D unless it can reach station c
and get in the clear on a siding before a
a &c n To
1t is very easily seen by this expIana-
the same block at the same time and
consequently it is impossible for a COLI
sion to occur.
The length of a block varies Between
some stations the distance is but two or
three miles and in few instances it is
seven or eight miles between stations.
The fact that a few stations are a con-
siderable distance apart makes no differ
ence in the operation of the block sys-
TEN. 1t simply has the effect of OCCASION
ally making a train wait longer at sta
ton sidings for another train to pass than
it would have to wait if the stations were
nearer together. 1t is an absolute iron
clad rule that no two trains shall ever be
in the same block at the same time.
General Manager Nudge is greatly
pleased with the block system and the re-
suits Of six years experience with it on
I'VE have it in operation" he said, ION
all of the main lines where traffic is the
heaviest. There are aofew places where
we hope to extend the block system as
soon as convenient.
Since the agitation has arisen concern
ing the middle-Order plan we have been
considering its adoption for use on
branch lines to govern the handling of
branch line trains.
1.-The reason why the Santa F'e has not
adopted the middle-order plan is because
we believe that on lines of such impOr-
tance as will warrant US in having day
and night operators al every station, it is
better to adopt and use the block system.
Frequently freight trains are delayed con-
siderably in order that passenger service
shall not be disturbed, but the loss of a
little time in moving train of freight
is more than compensated for by the
knowledge that our patrons and the COM
pany are practically immune from dam
ger from collision"