Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-10-20

all signals. With the automatic block
signal system, however. the signals
are located between these offices where
there is no one to report non observ-
ance of the signals. That is why
surprise checking" was established.
Pennsylvania Signals.
In automatic signalling on the Penn
sylyania railroad, two signals appear to
the engineman. The "home" signal Is
with reference to the block immedi-
ate1y ahead. If that shows "white.'
he may proceed. If it shows "red,"
he must come to a stop before passing
the signal. If he passes the signal by
as much as five feet, he has violated
orders, and is, therefore, subject to
discipline. Each home" signal has
its distance signal which indicates
whether its "home" signal is clear or
not, and displays either white" or
green"
Green" is caution" signal, and
requires the engineman to get his
train under control SO that he can
stop at the home" signal. This does
not necessarily mean that the train
must slow down Immediately, If it can
pass caution" signal at a high rate
of speed and still be able 20 stop at
the next signal. Caution" does not
mean stop"
In surprise checking" distance Sig
nails are set at green" ''home" sig
nails at "red," at place where the engi-
neers are accustomed to find them
white" fuses are accustomed to find
them white" fuses are displayed, and
torpedoes are placed on the track at
unusual places, switch lights extin-
guished and everything in connection
with signalling trains is placed either
at a caution" or danger" position,
by the regular operation OF the trains
on tho road. II any engineman disre-.
gard any of these signals, whether
there is train ahead or not, they are
disciplined just the same.
Negligence PenaIized.
It is the well-settled principle of the
Pennsylvania management that negli-
gence which might cause an accident
is almost, If not quite, as serious as If
| the accident really occurred.
Surprise checking" has been con-
Quoted with great thoroughness espe-
! ciaily during the past year. Notable
| occasions Of this character occurred
at certain stations on August 4th, Au-
gust 90. August "a, October and Oc-
tober 5. On these several occasions a
total of POI trains passed the signal
stations during the tests, and all but
| fifteen came to full stops before reach
Ing the testing point.
| Every one of the fifteen delinquents
brought more than a few feet beyond
the signal. But even in these cases,
where the error was simply one Of
judgment in handling the air brakes,
every one of the engineers were Sc
verely disciplined-in some cases as
much as thirty days suspension being
imposed. The caution" signal means
caution" and the "stop" signal means
'stop." Absolute compliance with this
order is required of all enginemen.
Other Railroad Notes.
Peter Sullivan, engineer on the Bur-
1ington, reported for duty this morning
after a short vacation.
Henry Schafer, engineer on the Bur
lington, is off duty on account OF the
illness Of his brother.
J. r. Carlson, fireman on the Burling-
ton, is off duty on account Of illness.
1 G. A. Bigham, extra conductor on the
Milwaukee, is off duty and enjoying his
vacation.
Earl Wilson, assistant time keeper
at the Burlington offices, is off duty
and ENJOYING his vacation.
G. e. Foltz, assistant ticket agent at
/ the Burlington offices, has gone to Os-
ceola, where he will visit relatives for
q few days.
I Thomas Nooman, express messenger
on the TT. Madison, Is off duty and
spending his vacation in Red Oak
where he Is visiting relatives.
4 J. A. Sprague, engineer on the Bur
lington, is off duty on account of ILL
ness.
4 William Clifford, engineer on the
Burlington, is Off duty suffering from
injuries sustained to his right thumb.
/ G. B. Chapman of Des Moines, tray.
cling freight and passenger agent for
the Wabash, was in the city today on
business.