The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-06-29
0.R&A. Company is Conducting
Experiments
new APPARATUS MAY Be USED
PURPOSE is TO CONNECT ENGI.
NEER WITH ALL PARTS OF
HIS TRAIN.

To connect the engine cab with the
rear of the train, and in fact any por-
ton Of it by telephone is the aim
Of the operating department Of the o.
r. & NJ, and to that end a series Of ex-
periments is being conducted. So far
they have proved unsuccessful, as con-
versation could not be carried on from
one end of the train to the other, but
the results were decidedly satisfactory
between the locomotive and baggage
car, says the Portland Telegram.
At a recent session of the general
managers of the various Hartman
roads the question Of telephone COM
munication was discussed, and it was
applied to trains so that the conduc-
tor and engineer could talk while the
train was in motion operations could
be facilitated. Accordingly orders were
issued for experiments.
1t was found that the sensitiveness
of the transmitter and receiver of a
telephone interfere with conversation.
The vibration of the engine and the
noise forward is carried to the speaker
in the rear, with the result that it has
proved difficult to distinguish the
voice without almost yelling into the
instrument.
The particular purpose for which the
train telephone was suggested was for
freight trains Often 40 or so cars are
started in one train, and in the event
the conductor neglects to inform the
engineer of the work ahead he is
forced to climb over the entire train to
consult with the "head end" Another
matter that has been given promi-
nence in the experiments is to provide
cabOOses on freight trains with tele-
phone instruments so when they are
hung up at blind sidings and can
not get onto the line again without
consulting the dispatcher they can con-
meet with the telegraph wires, which
are also used by the telegraphone, and
thus receive orders. Requisition was
made yesterday for dozen instru-
ments and these will be used on all
freight trains and at stations where
telegraph operators are not stationed.
CaboOses carrying telephones are
equipped with a three jointed pole,
similar to a fishing rod, on the end of
which is a hook, connecting a wire
running through the pole with the tel
ephone instrument and telegraph wire.
BY means of the apparatus a freight
conductor can open communication
with the dispatcher and conversation
can be carried on at a distance of IS to
100 miles. The telegraphone is work
ing between Portland and The Dalles
satisfactorily, and likewise north of
Roseberg At stations where there are
no operators the phones have been
found convenient. A request has been
made for the service at Meacham tun-
mel, where considerable blasting will be
done to widen the passage. Because
Of the absence of a telegrapher
phone will be necessary so the work.
men can be kept informed of the ap-
proach of trains and have the track
clear.
In the operation of the telegraphone
connection is made with the telegraph
wires so messages can be sent and
conversation held at the same time
The speakers can distinguish the
working of the telegraph keys distinct
y. but the talking does not interfere
with the transmission of messages.