Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-07-29
SURPRISE TESTS ON
\ A R R | N A n
RAILWAY
Engineers Failed to Observe
Signals in Only 16 Cases Out
of 1896.

New York, July 28.-Results Of sur
prise tests for observance Of signals
on the Hartman railroads are of un-
usual interest owing to the fact that
they haVa the longest record of such
tests and are making the greatest ex-
tensions Of the block signal system.
with 2,754 miles Of automatic block
signals authorized for installation this
year. the Union Pacific and Southern
Pacific Will have 4,700 miles so equip
ped. and on the Southern Pacific viii
be the longest stretch Of automatic
ally blocked track anywhere, 1884
miles.
out of 1.19G tests covered by the
last monthly report available. in only
sixteen cases did engineers fail to OBJ
serve signals. Eighteen different
tests We're applied besides special
tests. and in no case was the per cent
of observed signals less than 96 and
the average for an is 9S.7 per cent.
All red flags, crossing. station and
block danger signals were observed.
4 perfect record is shown in IL out
Of the Is classes Of tests.
This Is the fourth year OF surprise
tests on the Southern Pacific and the
third wear on the Union Pacific Iincs.
Tests are made in person by each di-
NlHAtl NJ itti iAAtflh'llt anu MS
mates, and general superintendents
and his subordinate, and general SUI
perintendents and each general man
ager are required To make a number
Of surprise tests every month. The
results are closely watched, those
made by subordinates being reported
and inspected by the division super
intendent and then passed on 10 the
general superintendent. the general
manager. and finally to the director Of
maintenance and operation of the
Hartman systems.
The tests are made under such con-
ditions that the enginemen ana train
men cannot know what is being done.
Two or more Of each OF eighteen diff
ferent kinds OF surprises must be
made on each division each month.
These tests V the use Of tOrpe-
does. fusees, slow and red flags, switch
lights out and at danger, and all sem
aphore signals.
II is not now, officials
say. 10 receive reports from a num-
Der of divisions for an entire month,
showing a perfect record under hun
dreds Of tests carried out TO make
sure that signals are being observed
by engineers.
Heavy rains which fell Friday af-
ternoon and night in the Estaneia
valley caused a washout on the line
Of the Santa Fe Central railway at a
point about twenty-nine miles south Of
Santa Fe. The northbound passen-
ger train which was due To have ar
rived in the ancient city at 3 o'clock
Friday evening did not reach the city
until 5;20 o'clock next morning as a
result of the damage TO the track. The
train crew worked nearly all night
building %cribbage Of railroad ties
where the track was undermined. The
embanknlent had beer washed away
from under the track. but the track
itself was not damaged.
The brick 10 be used I'm widening
the station platform has been deliy-
cred at the south end of the depot.
and II Is expected the work of Inn
proving the facilities for working
will begin In a short time The
tracks are to Doe moved over n the
brick pavement made about half as
wide again. New gas water and air
piping Is 10 be laid and other improve
ments made.
Brakeman Fowler. Of tho coast lines
grievance man Of the Brotherhood Of
Railway Truinmen. has left for Mex
leo TO accept "a position as trainmas-
ter on the Mexican Central.
=
&. L. Rabh formerly Of the AlVa-
RADIO. now In charge of the Harvey
house at Lamy, arrived az the Alva-
RADIO last night
Superintendent T.. J. Gibson of the
Albuquerque division, left last night
On his private ear for Winslow.
-
Superintendent John stein, of tho
Harvey system, arrived in the city
from Las Vegas last night.