The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-11
Railroad NeuUS of Week
CHAS w. LANE
R. |. WILL COMPLY
Automatic Train Controls To Be
Installed i'm Illinois.
Company Has Made, Satisfae-
tory Test, German Says.

Replying to the interstate commerce
commission in regard to the instaila-
ton OF automatic train control devices
on its line from Chicago to Rock Is
land, III. j. +. German. president. an
nounees that the Rock Island has used
such devices between Chicago and
joliet a distance of twenty-fOur miles.
the past two years. and that it is ready
TO proceed with the installation the
remainder of the distance in compli-
ance with the commissions recent
order. It is proposed to use the Regan
train control, which Mr.. German says
has been a success between Chicago
and Joliet
The order issued by the interstate
@ commerce commission shortly after
the first of the year included forty
nine railroads which were asked to
install automatic train control devices
on all road engines in certain con-
gested districts by July 1, 1924. or
show cause by March 3. 1922. why
the order should not be complied with
Included in the order is the santa re
from Chicago to Newton, Kan, as Wen
as the Rock Island from Chicago TO
Rock Island, III. and forty-seven other
roads.
Rock Island First To Comply.
SO far as known. however. the Rock
\ Island is the first company TO an
Tnounce that IL will comply with the
order, and in announcing the declsloh'
President German said;
1--WE have given consideration to the
order of the interstate commerce COM
mission recurring us to show cause
why automatic train control shoulo
not be installed on our Illinois division
and have decided to advise the COM
mission that subject to its approval as
TO the specifications and other deta9ls,
We are ready to proceed with the IN
stallation of the Regain train control
from Joliet to Rock Island. about 14o
miles,
'TThe Regain train control has been
Ia
Island and Joliet. about twenty-Iour
miles, for more than two years This
is probably the busiest piece OF track
on our railroad and our operating
reports indicate that the Regan train
control conforms to all the require
rnents of the interstate commerce
commission and that practically Us
operation is perfect 1t controls
automatically. If the block ahead is
occupied the train is brought to a
stop. If the block ahead is clear but
the second block ahead is occupied,
the speed of the train is reduced to
a predetermined rate and must re-
main at such rate until clear plock
is approached.
Tf Device FaiIs-Train Stops.
The device is positive in its op-
GRAFTON 80 that II the deVlee .tse ,,,
would be stopped The interstate
commerce commission IS naturally
familiar with the record Of these
r1erforrna nces since its files contain
reports' on the operation of the device
while the financial outlay IS
matter of Importance just at this time,
we could not help but feel, in view
of the commissions remarks IN ITS
proposed order and in further view OF
the fact that the commission now has
under investigation the fixing Of the
rate OF return under the transporta-
ton act, that the commission Is futly
eoenfzant of the financial considera- /
lions involved in the installation of
automatic train control and acted |
with these considerations in mind.