The San Francisco call., 1908-08-18
SIGNAL SYSTEM IS
FOUND INADEQUATE
City Engineer Says New Method
Should Be Used at Webster
Street Crossing
Files Report With Council After
Investigating Scene OF Re-
cent Fatal Accident

OAKLAND, Aug. 17.-City Engineer
F. c. Turner filed report with the
city council tonight in which the
Southern Pacific company's protective
system at the track crossing at First
and Webster streets, the scene of
serious collision July 4, is declared to
be inadequate
The report was made upon the re-
quest of the city council for informa-
tion as to appliances that should be
installed for the purpose of prevent
Ing accidents to trains at local grade
crossings. Turner quotes a railroad en-
gfneer as saying that the only abso-
lutely safe solution of the problem was
to elevate the Webster street line over
First, Third and Seventh streets.
His report in part follows:
modern interloeking signal plant Installed in
accordance with conservative practice will mini
mize the danger of accidents. Further than this
the science of railroading has not developed ap-
pafs.us & It that yin absolutely prevent accidents
streets, the scene of the late accident Is pro-
yided with system of interlocked signals which.
IN my opinion. does not altogether comply with
the recommended system On the westbound
track the home signal. which should indicate a
stop when the crossing is blocked, is visible from
only about 300 feet east Of IL, and there is ap-
parenty no distance signal to indicate the posi-
tion OF the home signal and warA the engineer in
time so that he may lower his speed If necessary
The derail on this track is about $50 feet from
the crossing, which is, as indicated by the recent
accident, much too close for high speed trains.
as, the train in this about 460 feet after
being derailed. Good practice requires 500 feet
from derai TO foulng point. This derailing
switch, in addition TO being too close TO the
crossing, is arranged in an Objectionable way in
that 1t has guard rail aboIt 200 feet long so
placed as 10 keep the train alongside the track,
to prevent the engine from turning over, although
the primary object of the derail is to throw away
from the track any train that disobeys the stop
signal
The deraillng switch could be made to run the
one side and off to the ground 10 one side of the
right of way, where located in the open country
where there is plenty of vacant ground; but In
the case of a built up and paved travelled street
this is inadmissible. derail placed at proper
distance with short guard rail should be sufh-
cient and is all that can be placed in a public
street without seriously interfering with street
traffic.
1t is but fair to state that the Southern Pacific
companys engineers have planned for some time,
am informed to rearrange the tracks and sig
been delayed by the proposed construction of
tracks in First street by the Western Pacific
railway company, and this present arrange
ment has been operated for years with safety the
change did not seem urgent
The report was referred to City At
torney McElroy on the motion of Coun-
Gilman Pendleton. McElroy will be re-
quested to instruct the councilmen as
to the legislation which Will prevent
the continuance or installing OF defec-
tive appliances.