Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-06
Railroad News

velop a red light to protect the rear
Of passenger trains that would have
the same power as the white headlight
Of the engine pulling the train?
Would such light, placed on the
rear of Mr.. Meloher's private coach.
have prevented the accident that re-
suited in the death of former President
J. t. Harahan of the Illinois Central
Vice President F. o. Melcher of the
Rock Island, and two other officials
of that road at Kinmundy, Ill, recent
ly?
These questions were discussed Sat
urday by operating officials of num-
Der Of railroads entering Chicago.
Answers to the first question were
more or less uncertain. Those to the
second question were positive on one
point-that lights alone would not fur
nish the protection which should be
afforded to every train. The first prin-
ciple of safety, they held, is a sharp
lookout at all times by the trainmen
and the carrying out of precautionary
measures prescribed in the book Of
rules.
1t was admitted that larger tail
lights might be benefit, but lights of
the size or power described, the operat-
ing men said, would not be practicable
even If they could be seen at a greater
distance. The inquiry developed the
fact, however, that several railroads in
different parts of the country have re-
inforced the two red tail lights adopt
ed as a standard by the American
Railway association with a third light
which is placed on the rear platform
between the gates.
This light in one case is patterned
after pinnacle, or ships light. In the
other instances it is an enlargement
of the tail light.
Just what effect these extra precau.
tionary measures may have in prevent
ing a rear end collision of the kind
that occurred at Kinmundy is still a
debatable question, according to the
opinions Of the railroad men inter
viewed.
F. E. Ward, general manager of the
Burlington lines, did not believe a rec
light could be developed that would
have the same power as the white
headlight.
"a red light" said Mr.. Ward, has
neither the same brilliancy nor the
carrying qualities of white light.
"On the Burlington we several years
ago adopted in our train practice the
use of third light of slightly larger
size than the ordinary tail lights. OF
passenger trains this is placed on thu
rear platform, while in the case of ;
freight train it is placed at the top O
the car little above the two regula
tail lights.
Il would not say that a stronge
light would have prevented the acci
dent at Kinmundy."
w. S. Tinsman, general manager O
the Rock Island lines, said he though
the present tail lights can be seen
sufficient distance in the rear for al
safety purposes if the engineer i
/ watching.
Il would, however, like to see the el
feet of powerful light back of clou
of steam," he added. Il believe tn
| steam would have a tendency to act a
sort of magnifier if the light wer
) strong enough to penetrate it,
The opinion of General Manager f
3 ]. Slifer of the Chicago Great Wester
railroad conceded with that of NJ
e Ward of the Burlington regarding tn
e part that Watchfulness on the part {
/; trainmen exercises in the safe operi
/ ton of trains.
: "The Missouri Pacific" said Mr. 81
= fer, has adopted a third light whic
is sort of pinnacle, or ships ligh
= which is used on the fore and aft side
of boat. 1t is an oil burning lam
boxed, with circular light, backe
by powerful lens. The light, woul
say, is about fifteen inches in circun
ference, as compared with the 81
inch circumference of the standard ia
light
! This light is placed on the res
platform as an auxiliary of the reg
! lar tail lights. 1t was devised for us
on the division between Kansas CT
. and Leavenworth, Kas., on the theol
that it could be seen at a farther di
lance back on the curves for whic
that division is known.
Il do not know how successful
the plan has worked out, but l ha,
equipped my private car No. 1O1 wit
3 one of the lights for a test, and Il
next time / go over that divisio
u over which our trains run l will al
y the operators to watch the car as
u passes to observe the effect. l hav
8 attached electric power to my liz
, and l have also had a bracket put {
- it to hang it the same as a tail ligt
This light can be handled by OF
= man."
= A report on the premiums awards
nj during 1911 to section foremen al
40 roadmasters who made the best sho
lg ing in track improvements was mat
/ public yesterday by the Rock Islal
ID road. A total of $3,s25 was distrih
10 tod