Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-27
Radio and Railroading.

Application of radio TO the operation
OF railroad trains has been contemplated
for some time as a possibility. and has
now boen demonstrated as feasible. A
successful test has been made on the
New York Central road of a system OF
communication between a moving
freight train and signal tower and
between the ends Of the train itself.
This train was more than mile in
length, consisting of III cars Instru-
nlents were installed in the locomotive
cab and in the caboose. It was found 10
be possible to maintain constant COM
munication not only from train to tower
but from cab to caboose. The short
wave length Of the transmitting equip
nent was supposed to render effective
service over five-nlile radius at the
outside. but in the actual test 1t was
found that perfect communication was
maintained for distance Of eight miles
from the signal tower. while at all times
the conductor in the caboose and the
engineer in the cab were in close con-
tact.
American freight trains. especially on
the principal trunk lines. have developed
TO great lengths. In the operation OF
these trains difficulties have been en-
coUntered owing to the large number OF
cars. Communication between cab and
caboose has been maintained by visua!
signals such as flags or lanterns, by dot
and-dash whistle code or in some cases
by compressed air signal lines, which
are subject TO arrangement. In emer-
gencies, while trains are in operation,
trainmen have had TO run over the tops
Of the cars, always a dangerous pro-
ceeding. and especially so in stormy
weather. With the radio equipment it
Is possible at all times for the conductor
and The engineer. though separated as
in this instance by more than a mile,
to talk without risk of failure of under
standing or without exposing any of the
train operatives to injury or death.
The substitution Of radio control for
the established system Of orders and di-
rections may not follow Immediately,
but 1t is likely that with the perfection
Of the method Just tested 1t viii be pos
sible for train dispatchers to keep in
constant touch with conductors and en-
gineers and 10 direct them in accord
ance with the state OF the tracks and
condition OF the traffic. Meanwhile the
installation OF safety devices such as
automatic train controls and train stops,
designed 10 prevent encroachment on
occupied stretches OF track, must pro-
coed. The radio-control system may re-
place them. with perhaps greater ef-
ficiency. II is possible that by radio not
only warnings OF dangerous conditions
may be given 70 engineers, but that by
the same means. IL warnings are not
needed. trains may be brought to halt
automatically.
So many wonders have been per-
formed through the medium OF radio
during the last decade that it is not too
much 20 expect the development OF
perfect control system OF the operating
units OF the track lines Of the country.
No matter what the congestion Of rail
system may be. with the coordination
II ali the traffic elements the risk OF col
!ision may be reduced 10 q negligible
minimum. Broken equipment. always a
factor Of danger. may no longer stand
as the chief element Of peril II upon
any arrangement Of the physical ma
urials signals can be given over a wide
zone, and Il they are not needed may be
followed by The positive stoppage o!
power and application Of brakes The
human element II error may be elm
mated by radio