The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1926-03-15
Installation OF New Automatic
Signal System Along Route of
Florida East Coast Railway
MUCH OF WORK WILL
BE COMPLETED ALONG
LINE BY FIRST PART
OF APRIL

ne Citfxen ~ In receipt OF an
formation from J. D. Rahner, gem
eral passenger agent of the Florida
East Coast Railway Company, with
headquarters At St. Ausustine. to
the effect that the General Railway
Signal Company of Roehesser.
N. r, has started operations on
the instaliation of the new Florida
East Coast automatic signal sys-
tenn, which VIII add wonderfully
to the other excellent facilities
now maintained by the railway
company as matter of protection
in the operation of trains daily
over the East Coast system.
According to the information
givsn out by the railway official,
il is planned that the section Of
the main line between jacksonville
and Bannell be provided with block
sisnals, and this work vii be COM
plesed by the first of April, and
the remainder Of the distanee from
Bunnell to Miami viii be completed
by the first Of Aususs this year.
The particular type Of signals
which are being erected are known
as the colored Light automatic
block signal, one of the most re-
cent developments in the art OF
railway signaling, and similar TO
the type used on such railway
systems as the New York Central,
the Southern. and the Great Nor
thern.
Established In Pairs
The signals win be established
In pairs Of approximate Intervals
of one mile; one guarding The
northbound track and the other
standing guard over southbound
traffic. This type OF signal does
not employ the familiar movable
arm but flashes its information by
means of high-powered colored
lights which are three in number
arranged in q vertical order
against a dark background.
Their method of operation Is
both ingenious and interesting.
Red indicates the presence Of .
train in the next block and auto
matical.y orders the engineer 10
stop; yellow signifies the presence
of train in the second block
ahead and cautions the engineer
to proceed slowly prepared to stop
at the next signal post. and green
Light signifies clear tracks through
the next two blocks or an appfoxi-
mate distance Of two miles ahead.
Thus these automatic eyes which
viii see around sharp curves ard
penetrate the binding storm and
inky darkness win continually
stand guard over East Coast Rail-
way traffic.
Like all Of our most modern IN
ventions, these signals viii require
electrical power for their opera
ton. This will neeeasitate the
erection Of a 400 volt A. G.
power line along the entire route
of the mainline between Jackson
vi lie and Miami. At certain points
this current viii be reduced
through transformers to 10 volts
and at each signal mast Il will be
still further stepped down to ~
volts for the immediate operation
Of the relays and signal lights.
The lights viii be projected
through powerful lenses and The
special released concentrated fila.
ment lamps viii be visible for Il
distance of from 1000 - 5000
feet even Ii bright sunlight
Many ether improvements are
now in planning. and considerable
repair work viii be carried On ~
the company between Miami ard
Key West h the near frtare IL
order 20 facilitate matters aenes.
ally il the operation Of the large
number Of trains that run 10 ard
out Of Key West. during the win
ter especially.