The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-11-25
UTILITIES COMMISSION
 ORDERS TRAINS TO STOP
 BEFORE SHORT SWITCHES
!. .tcontinued from Page D

NeContinued from Page D of his train when approaching West port.
 The absence of any unusual wheel marks on the rails east of the west switch of the croSSover from track number to track number three. and tender passed through the cross over and was still upon the track when they reached the point of the facing switch leading from track number three to the freight yard, and the character of marks west of this crossover prove that the tender zine. due to it's centrifugal force and shifting load of coal and water, and that th3 left hand wheels of the for ward tender trucks were not touching the rails. while the right hand flanges weer pressing hard against the north rail-
 This condition existed while they were going from the west end of the
 meets this facing switch.
 Wheel F1angc Broke.
 At this point, the width of tthe rail heads combined, gave 8 wider surface for the wheel treads and the bearing which came on the outer part of the tread raised the inner or Hanged part of the wheel and allowed it to cross the top of both the switch and stock rails; here the forward tender trucks weer derailed and dropped on- to the ties A feet beyond. The five IG6L QEaW OdT sCOlnGCLlHS me GHSInG to the tender, made it possible for the engine to keep on the main track until it reached the frog. where it lost it's equilibrium. due to the direct action of the derailed tender and aid- ed by the centrifugal farce of the en- zine itself.
 Judging from the position in which the engine and tender were found af- ter the accident and from marks they bore and the condition of the tracks and bridge over which they passed, I it's right side with it's head end on track number tAree, and it's rear end with the tender, on track number five, as it crossed the bridge. at which the tender frame and hurled z. feet away to the right of the tracks sur mounted by the north girder of the bridge which the engine sheared off in crossing the bridge.
 The fact that the engine passed through and beyond the crossover at such high speed, is remarkable. and I feel assured that, had it encountered curves not exceeding four degrees the train would have been unharmed in making the crossing. By using mum switch leads on the inside of the one. degree 6 minute curve would not ex- ceed four degrees, but would suggest that a longer crosSover than a num- Der Is be installed in place of the present one, which is number 10. Room for such crossover is availa- DlG between the present eaStGrly switch point and the bridge oyer Rfv- erside avenue, the only obstacle being the facing switch leading to track number five (where the derailment occurred) which should be removed in any event, and replaced by a trail ing switch at the west end of track number five
 Should Lengthen Crossovers.
 To insure safe operation and safe guard against accidents which might occur as a result of trains taking erossovers at excessive speed; I would suggest that all crosscyers. between going in the same direction. and through which trains are detoured, be constructed with number 20 frogs, and at points where conditions will pending the installation of an approv- ed automatic train control device. that signals be held at stop position and switches kept set for straight movement until the approaching trains have come to a full stop.
 The following persons were killed: "a M. B. Gavit, Mary Hamilton, Jes- sic H. Hanson.
 Ernployes: George Clark. en- gineer; J. J.. Mekler, fireman: Mark Wheeler, mail clerk.
 The following persons were i'm jured: Mir. Anderson, Mrs. Anderson, Eleanor Bartlett Jeanette Birnbaum, F. o. Bushnell. Leslie Briggs, Mrs. Vernon L. Davey. Frank L. Evarts, w. B. Franklin, messenger; Mrs. Jane A. Garfield, B. l.. Hill, Elliott Harri- son. Phillip James. Mrs: Phillip James. Miss Marion Knight. J. B. Lynch, Mrs. J. P. Lynch, Dr. Joseph Ieidy. William Mahoney, Robert Vi Prior, Rev. J. A. Reynolds, Mrs. Sloane, J. D. Seabury, Mrs J. D. Sea- bury. Mrs Percy w. Turner. Carl Tucker, Mrs. Carl Tucker. O. L. Wade. Mrs. o. T.. Wade.
 Employes: L. Edward Bridget, Samuel B. C1eaver, A. s. Coe, Edward Gogins, Howard Price. J. D. Silva, William Webber
 The names of the persons from whom the foregoing facts were ob- tained. independent of my personal observations are as follows:
 J. E. Van Benscheten. Michael A. CoyIe. John Jenkins, Louis C. Bahr, Edward Rueger, Grove W. Reynolds. Henry L. Dean. John, P. Ramsey Barclay Gordon. George M. McCor- mack, George W. FIagg. Daniel Kin ney, John Allen, Charles D. Moore, Henry J. Horn, B. H. McHenry, c. N. Woodward, Charles H. Morrison, nAAElnHlTr Ekn