IMPROVED MEANS OF PREVENTING ACCIDENTS ON RAILWAYS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Manuel Fernandez de Castro, of Madrid, in
the Kingdom of Spain, Mining Engincor, for the Invention of
"IMPROVED MEANS OF PREVENTING ACCIDENTS ON RAILWAYS."
Sealed the 27th February 1854, and dated the 6th October 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Manuel Fernandez
de Castro at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 6th October 1853.
I, MANUEL FERNANDEZ DE CASTRO, do hereby declaro the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVED MEANS OF PREVENTING ACCIDENTS ON
RAILWAYS" to be as follows:-
The most frequent causes of the deplorable accidents upon railways
are, first, an error concerning the line upon which the train is to run,
by which means two trains come into collision upon the same line;
second, the impossibility in some cases of the guard being able to
signal in time when he becomes aware of danger; third, the difficulty
of perceiving the said signal when the train is in motion; fourth, the
inopportune opening of a drawbridge or other similar erection; fifth,
an error in calculating the exact time when two trains shall traverse

page_text: the same point when crossing on the same level; sixth, a similar error
in calculating the time of transit upon the same line of rails; and,
lastly, displacement of the points, turntables, &c. By my improved
system all these dangers are avoided, leaving nothing to fear but those
casualties incident to the circumstances of every day life.
That powerful agent, electricity, which appeared at first to be merely
applicable to some chymical experiments, is now rendered available for
the most important services;, and it is this agent which I intend to
employ for the purpose of ensuring safety in travelling upon railways.
If a generator of electricity be placed at any point or part of a train,
and one of its poles be made to communicate with an insulated con-
ducting wire, and the opposite pole be put into communication with the
earth, it is evident that the apparent electrical phenoffiena will not
manifest themselves, and that in this condition the train will progress
without anything important taking place. But if by any accident,
such, for instance, as the entrance on the same line of. another train
which is also in communication with the conducting wire and with the
earth, the electric circuit will be completed, and all the phenomena
resulting therefrom will take place with an intensity corresponding to
the degree of force which may have been given to the battery; by this
means the necessary signals will be given for giving notice of the danger
to be avoided. This is the object of the present Invention, it being
understood that, whatever may be the methods employed for the pro-
duction of the electricity, or for establishing the electric circuit, or the
manner of employi . the same, that what is desired to be secured is
this application of electricity for the purpose of preventing accidents
upon railways.
The following are the means to be employed for avoiding all known
dangers, and which are found to be most liable to occur in railway
travelling:-
First, upon any one of the carriages of the train is to be placed a
battery or generator of electricity, the power of which may vary
according to the judgment of the engineer, the nature of the railway,
and--other circumstances, provided it have sufficient power for pro-
ducing a spark when required, care being taken however to observe.

page_text: a certain regularity in placing these: generators, so that all those
travelling upon the same line: may be of the same description, and:
arranged-in the same manner, that is to say that the poles of the same
denomination may always be set in the same direction-in all the trains.
Secondly, upon the poles of the electric telegraph, where it may be:
found convenient, or upon similar poles set at suitable distances apart,
are to be placed iron or wooden rods of sufficient ;strength to resist the
tension of two metallic wires similar to those of the telegraph. Upon
these supports are to be placed. conesi of glass, glazed pottery, or
earthenware, or any other: non-conducting substance as insulators.
On the top of each cone is. fixed a ball anade of. the same substance
pierced with three holes, one of which is of the same form as
the conical tube, and into which this latter fits. The two other
apertures are formed at right angles to the first, and are parallel to
each other,. and are for the passage of the two wires, which I shall call
the "general conductor."
Thirdly, a communication is established between each-of-the-poles
of.the electric generator and the general conductor by means of an
arm provided with a number of metallic strings, wires, or chains, in.
the shape of. a.fringe, which is intended, as the train grooves, along, to
be carried.along in.contact with the electric wires. The fringe must
be.of a width sufficient to allow of its being always, kept in contact
with the general conductor when depressed. thereon, notwithstanding
the oscillatory movement of the carriage.
Fourthly, the communication is established and broken between
the communicator and the electric apparatus. by means of another
apparatus, which I shall call the "alarm apparatus." This apparatus
may consist of Volta's pistol, the electric bell or mortar, or a small.
petard traversed by two points which shall not be in contact.
Fifthly, if the alarmi apparatus to be employed consisted of the electric
mortar or the Volta pistol, charged either with detonating gases or
powder, or even with a few drops of ether sufficient to produce a
slight explosion, the power created thereby might be employed for
the purpose of acting .upon.a small..lever having at one end the cork.
discharged from the pistol or mortar, which lever acts upon the crank

page_text: which closes the induction pipe for the steam of the engine, and also
acts upon a finger, which, by means of a ratchet wheel or a plain ring
situate between two other fixed rings, keeps a heavy weight suspended,
which may be made to act upon and depress the breaks which serve
to stop the train. The mortar or pistol must be hermetically closed
by the cock or plunger on the extremity of the lever, this latter being
of the proportions requisite for producing the desired effect.
Sixthly, although the length of the general conductor has nothing
to do with the effect of the electric signals, it is necessary, in order to
obtain better results from its use, to interrupt its continuity at certain
distances; in other words, the conductors are made in short lengths
of, say, half a mile each.
Seventhly, in order to produce the effect indicated, it would be
sufficient to employ a single metallic conductor, but this would be
attended with the serious inconvenience that every time two trains meet
at any other point than the exact middle point of the distance mentioned
in the preceding paragraph, a collision would necessarily ensue. In
order to avoid this two different conductors are placed upon the same
rods at the same height, but sufficiently separated to avoid the contact
of the electric spark These conductors traverse alternate distances,
that is to say, that the commencement of the second will take place in
the middle of the first, and consequently the interruption of this latter
will coincide with the centre of the other, and so on.
Eighthly, on passing over drawbridges, swingbridges, or other points
where the continuity of the line is broken, it might happen to be opened,
and thereby occasion an accident. In order to avoid this it will only
be necessary to make such an arrangement that the displacement or
opening of the bridge, &c. cannot take place without bringing the con-
ductor into communication with the earth. Thus, in a bridge, for
example, the conductors are made to traverse it in such a manner as
not to be interfered with or interrupted by its opening, and a com-
municating apparatus is added of such a kind that as soon as the
bridge is opened to the extent of half an inch the communicator will
touch the conductor, and remain in contact therewith during the time
that the bridge is open. On a train furnished with this safety appa-

page_text: ratus coming on to the line the electric circuit will be completed, and
a sigual of danger will be communicated to the train.
Ninthly, the danger of collision upon a crossing is avoided by a
different arrangement of the conductors. In this case they must have
the same length for each branch. They must, besides, be all four
in perfect communication with cach other. This arrangement is as
follows-About a yard before the junction of the line of rails the
conductor is caused to deviate for a yard from the line which it de-
scribes; it is there mounted upon glass rings fixed to a post, which is
of sufficient height to allow of its passing over the line without inter-
fering with the traffic. A similar arrangement upon the other line of
rails attached to one of the two posts, and also a simple metallic attach-
ment on the top of the conductors of the two lines, will complete the
system of communication on the crossing.
Tenthly, in order to effect the object pointed out in paragraph five, it
would be advisable, although not necessary, to arrange the breaks in
such manner that they shall act by the simple action of the lever,
which is acted on by the explosion of the Volta pistol, and without any
further assistance shall check the speed of the train until it stops it
altogether. The arrangement for acting on the breaks is as follows:-
The carriage, and the framing on which the wheels are mounted, are
formed separately, and connected together by a number of screw bolts
in such manner as to allow of the carriage moving up and down in the
framing. The carriage has four wrought iron arms firmly fixed to that
part of the carriage which corresponds exactly to the rails. These arms
extend down a sufficient distance to touch the rails when the carriage
is not held up on the framing, so that in that case the whole weight
is not sustained by the wheels. The hinder arms aro shod either
with oak, hemp, or any other substance which will produce adherence
upon the rails, without however injuring them. The front arms are
furnished with two small flanged wheels, which would run upon the
rails in case the front wheels or their axles should break. In this state
it will be understood that the carriage would only run upon the front
wheels and the break rods behind; but it must only be allowed to
assume this position in case of necessity. In order, therefore, to

page_text: cause the carriage to assume the position necessary for locomotion a
lever is fixed between it and the framing, the fulcrum of which lever
is made in the form of an axle, is held firmly beneath the framing by a
collar bolted thereto, which allows it free play. This lever, the extre-
mity of the longer arm of which carries a jointed rod passing through
the front part of the framing, and is fastened either to the framing
or to the top of the carriage by any suitable arrangement which is
capable of being easily taken to pieces. When it is required to pro-
ceed it is only necessary to keep the lever arm depressed, and thereby
raise the carriage sufficiently to prevent the hinder break arms from
touching the rails and stopping the progress of the train; but if, on the
contrary, the fastening of the lever be detached, the carriage will descend;
and the breaks will bear upon the rails and check the speed. As the
carriage only falls to the extent of about an inch, there will be no
perceptible shock. For great speed it is advisable not to have the
breaks too powerful, but rather to have them distributed over a large
number of carriages. It will be easily understood that by this arrange-
ment immediately a train arrives upon the same line as another, or
that from any other cause the electric apparatus shall make its signal,
the lever thrown out by the electrical mortar will disengage the weight
mentioned in paragraph five, and this latter will cut off the steam and
disengage the stop finger or catch of any of the carriages. The carriage
being thus freed will, by its weight, or by the movement of the lever
rod; produce the same effect upon the next carriage, and so on until the
train is stopped of itself, without its being necessary to employ a
breaksman.
Eleventhly, although from the superiority of these breaks, they
cannot fail to be adopted, yet they are not indispensable to my system;
and as, on the other hand, great expense would be incurred in
changing all at once these parts in the working of railways, my system
may be applied to the ordinary breaks now in use.
Twelfthly, it only now remains to state the means of avoiding other
dangers not herein-before mentioned, such as displacement of the rails,
or the presence of any obstacle thereon, &c. These dangers can no
longer exist when the guard.has it in his power to make a singal which

page_text: cannot escape notice. I will now describe à means of doing this
instantaneously. The guards will be provided with a metallic whip,
which is formed of any suitable fibrous material, having wire platted in
with the strands, so that on its coming in contact with the general con-
ductor these wires shall touch it. The part which comes in contact
with the band should be covered with varnished leather, or any other
bad conductor of electricity, to preserve the instrument and also the
guard from the effects of the shock. It will only be necessary, on any
danger presenting itself, to twist up one of the ends of his whip, and
allow the other to drag upon the ground; he will keep this position
until the danger has been passed. His signal would be efficacious,
even supposing the train to be nearly upon the dangerous spot.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Manuel Fernandez de Castro in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 6th April 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS, SHALL COME, 1,
MANUEL FERNANDEZ DE CASTRO, of Madrid, in the Kingdom of Spain,
Mining Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the seven-
teenth year of Her reign,
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and succes-
sors, give and grant unto me, the said Manuel Fernandez de Castro,
Her special license that I, the said Manuel Fernandez de Castro, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as .I, the said
Manuel Fernandez de Castro, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and .Isle
of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVED MEANS OF PREVENTING ACCIDENTS
ON RAILWAYS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Manuel Fernandez de Castro, by an instrument in writing under my

page_text: hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Manuel Fernandez de Castro, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto aunexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say):
My Invention of improved means of preventing accidents on rail-
ways relates to various contrivances for stopping railway trains when
they either get off the line, or get on the wrong line, or any derange-
ment of the machinery takes place.
The most frequent causes of the deplorable accidents upon railways
are, first, that a train gets on to the wrong line, and a great risk of a
collision between two trains coming in opposite directions ensues;
second, the impossibility in some cases of the guard being able to
signal to the driver in time when he becomes aware of danger; third,
the difficulty of attracting the attention of the driver to any signal
when the train is in motion; fourth, the inopportune opening of a
drawbridge or other similar erection; fifth, an error in calculating
the exact time when two trains shall traverse the same point when
crossing on the same level; sixth, a similar error in calculating the
time of transit upon the same line of rails; and, lastly, displacement of
the points, turntables, or other parts of the railway.
By the improved system hereafter described all these dangers are
avoided, leaving nothing to fear but those csualties incident to the
circumstances of every day life.
That powerful agent, electricity, is, by means of my improvements,
rendered available for the most important services; and it is this agent
which I intend to employ for the purpose of ensuring safety in travel-
ling upon railways.
If a generator of electricity be placed at any point or part of a train,

page_text: and one of its poles be made to communicate with an insulated.
conducting wire, and the opposite pole be put into communication with
the earth, it is evident that the apparent electrical phenomena will not
manifest themselves, and that in this condition the train will progress
without anything important taking place. But if by any accident (such,
for instance, as the entrance on the same line of another train also in
communication with the conducting wire and with the earth,) the
electric circuit should be completed, all the phenomena resulting
therefrom will take place with an intensity corresponding to the degree
of force which may have been given to the battery; by this means
the necessary signals will be given for giving notice of the danger to be
avoided. This is the object of the present Invention, it being under-
stood that (whatever may be the methods employed.for the production
of the electricity, or for establishing the electric circuit, or the manner
of employing the same,) what is desired to be secured is this application
of electricity for the purpose of preventing accidents upon railways.
The following are the means to be employed for avoiding all known
dangers, and which are found to be most liable to occur in railway
travelling:-
First, upon any one of the carriages of the train is to be placed a
battery or generator of electricity, the power of which may vary
according to the judgment of the engineer, the nature of the railway,
and other circumstances, provided it have sufficient power for producing
a spark when required, care being taken, however, to observe a certain
regularity in placing these generators, so that all those travelling upon
the same line may be of the same description, and arranged in the
same manner, (that is to say,) that the poles of the same denomination
may always be set in the same direction in all the trains.
Secondly, upon the poles of the electric telegraph where it
may be
found convenient, or upon similar poles set at suitable distances apart,
are to be placed iron or wooden rods of sufficient strength to resist
the tension of two metallic wires similar to those of the telegraph.
Upon these supports are to be placed cones of glass, glazed pottery or
earthenware, or any other non-conducting substance as insulators,
closed at top; and about eleven inches in length; see Fig. 1. These

page_text: .
conical tubes are to be varnished inside with gum lac. On the top of
- each cone is fixed a ball made of the same substance, pierced" with
three holes, one of which is of the same form as the conical tube, and
into which this latter fits; 'the two other apertures are formed at right
angles to the first, and are parallel to each other, and set as far apart
as possible; see Figures 2 and 3. .These apertures are for the passage
'of the two wires, which I shall call the "general-conductor:"...
Thirdly, a communication is established between each of the poles
of the electric generator and the general conductor by means of an
arm provided with a number of imetallic strings, wires, or chains in
the shape of a fringe, which is intended, as the train moves along, to
-be carried along in contact with the electric wires. This contrivance
is shewn at Fig. 4. At a suitable distance at each side of the electric
generator is placed an insulated metallic rod mounted upon a glass
foot, made as solid as possible. This rod is jointed at a certain point
so that it may be raised and lowered at pleasure, and so that in the
:latter case it may fall upon the general conductor, or rather about six
inches above it. Upon the free extremity of the said rod are attached
short iron or brass wires in the form of a fringe, capable of. moving
freely upon the rod, which. may be effected by making them of the
form shewn at Fig. 5. This wire fringe is represented at Fig. 4,
applied to the extremity of the communicator. The fringe must be
of a width sufficient to allow of its being always kept in contact with
the general conductor when depressed thereon, notwithstanding, the
-oscillatory movement of the carriage.
Fourthly, the communication is established and broken between the
:communicator and the electric apparatus by means of another appa-
ratus, which I shall call the " alarm apparatus." This apparatus may
consist of Volta's pistol, the electric bell or mortar, or a small petard
.traversed by two points which shall not be in contact.
Fifthly, if the alarm apparatus to be employed consist of the electric
.mortar, or. the Volta pistol, charged either with detonating gases or
powder, or even with a few drops of ether sufficient to produce a slight
.explosion, the power created thereby may be employed for the purpose
of acting upon a small lever having at one end the cork discharged from

page_text: the pistol or mortar. This lever must be made to act upon the crank
which closes the induction pipe for the steam of the engine, and also
acts upon a finger, which, by means of a ratchet wheel or a plain ring
situate between two other fixed rings, keeps a heavy weight suspended;
this weight may be made to act upon and depress the breaks which
serve to stop the train. The mortar or pistol must be hermetically
closed by the cork or plunger on the extremity of the lever, this latter
being of the proportions requisite for producing the desired effect. 'The
form which is to be given to this lever is represented in Fig. 6. It is
bent at a right angle at its extremity for the purpose of carrying the
ratchet wheel above mentioned, or the ring mounted between two
others, and by that means. keeping the weight above mentioned in its
elevated position.
..
Sixthly, although the length of the general conductor has nothing
to do with the effect of. the electric signals, it is-necessary, in order to
obtain better results from its use, to interrupt its continuity at certain
distances; in other words, the conductors are made in short lengths of,
half a mile each.
say,
Seventhily, in order to produce the effect indicated it would be
sufficient to employ a single metallic conductor, but this would be
attended with .the serious inconvenience that every time. two trains
meet at any other point than the exact middle point of the distance
mentioned in the preceding paragraph a collision would necessarily
ensue.. In order to avoid this two different conductors are placed upon
the same rods at the same height, but sufficiently-separated to avoid
the contact of the electric spark.: These conductors traverse alternate
distances, that is to say, that the commencement of the second will
take place in the middle of the first, and consequently the interruption
of this latter will coincide with the centre of the other, and so on, as
shewn in the diagram, Fig. 8.
Eighthly, on passing over drawbridges, swingbridges, or other
points where the continuity of the line is broken the bridge might
happen to be open, and thereby occasion an accident. In order to
avoid this, it will only be necessary to make such an arrangement that
the displacement or opening of the bridge cannot. take place without

page_text: bringing the conductor into communication with the earth. Thus, in a
bridge, for example, the conductors are made to traverse it in such
a manier as not to be interfered with or interrupted by its opening,
and a communicating apparatus is added of such a kind that as soon
as the bridge is opened to the extent of half an inch, the communicator
will touch the conductor and remain in contact therewith during the
time that the bridge is opened. On a train furnished with this safety
apparatus coming on to the line the electric circuit will be completed,
and a signal of danger will be communicated to the train.
Ninthly, the danger of collision upon a crossing is avoided by a
different arrangement of the conductors. In this case they must have
the same length for each branch. They must besides be all four
in perfect communication with each other. This arrangement is as
follows:-About a yard before the junction of the line of rails the
conductor is caused to deviate for a yard from the line which it
describes; it is there mounted upon glass rings fixed to a post which
is of sufficient height to allow of its passing over. the line without
interfering with the traffic. A similar arrangement upon the other
line of rails attached to one of the two posts, and also a simple metallic
attachment on the top of the conductors of the two lines, will complete
the system of communication on the crossing, as shewn in the elevation
and plan view, Figures 9, and 10.
Tenthly, in order to effect the object pointed out in paragraph 5
it would be advisable, although not necessary, to arrange the breaks in
such a manner that they shall act by the simple action of the lever,
which is acted on by the explosion of the Volta pistol, and thereby,
without any further assistance, check the speed of the train until it
stops it altogether. Figures 14, 15, and 16, will give an idea of the
arrangement which I have found most suitable for this purpose, and
the advantage of which consists in causing the weight of the carriage
itself to produce the effect upon the breaks without injury to the
wheels, as is the case with the ordinary breaks. The arrangement
for acting on the breaks is as follows:-The carriage and the
framing on which the wheels are mounted are formed separately, and
are connected together by a number of screw bolts in such a manner

page_text: as to allow of the carriage moving up and down in the framing. The
carriage shewn in elevation at Fig. 14, has four wrought iron arms
firmly fixed to that part of it which corresponds exactly to the rails.
These arms extend down a sufficient distance to touch the rails when
the carriage is not held up on the framing, so that the whole weight
is not always sustained by the wheels. The hinder arms are shod
either with oakum, hemp, or any other substance which will produce
adherence or friction upon the rails, without, however, injuring them.
The front arms are furnished with two small flanged wheels, which
would run upon the rails in case the front wheels or their axles
should break. It will now be understood that the carriage when
lowered in the framing would only run upon the front wheels and the
break rods behind; but it must only be allowed to assume this position
in case of necessity. In order, therefore, to cause the carriage to
assume the position necessary for locomotion (as shewn in Fig. 15), a
lever 1, is fixed between it and the framing, the fulcrum of which lever
is made in the form of an axle, and is held firmly beneath the framing
by a collar bolted thereto, and which allows it free play. This lever is
shewn detached in plan and in elevation at Figures 11, 12, and 13, and
the extremity of the longer arm carries a jointed rod f, passing through
the front part of the framing, and is fastened either to the framing, as
shewn in Figures 15 and 16, or to the top of the carriage, as shewn
in the elevation, Fig. 17. When it is required for the carriage to
proceed onward it is only necessary to keep the lever arm 1, (Figures 15
and 16,) depressed, as shewn in Fig. 15, and the carriage thereby
raised sufficiently to prevent the hinder break arms from touching the
rails and stopping the progress of the train; but if, on the contrary,
the fastening of the lever be detached, as shewn in Fig. 16, the car-
riage will desend, and the breaks will bear upon the rails and check
the speed. As the carriage only falls to the extent of about an inch
there will be no perceptible shock. For great speed it is advisable
not to have the breaks too powerful, but rather to have them dis-
tributed over a large number of carriages. It will be easily under-
stood that by this arrangement immediately a train arrives upon
the same line as another, or that from any other cause the electric

page_text: apparatus shall make its signal, the lever thrown out by the elec-
trical mortar: will. disengage the weight mentioned in paragraph
fifth, and this latter will cut off the steam and. disengage the stop
finger or catch of any of the carriages; e, the carriage being thus
freed. will by its weight or by the movement of the lever rod pro-
duce the same effect upon the next carriage, and so on until the train
is stopped of itself, without its being necessary to employ a breaksman.
It is advisable to cause the breaks of the hinder. carriages to act be-
fore those of the front ones, which may be effected by an arrangement
similar to that represented at Fig. 17, which shews a train in progress,
the alarm apparatus of which, and the case e which contains the elec-
tric generator, are placed behind the locomotive in order that the play
of the breaks may be within a small compass; these parts may, how-
ever, as has been already said, be placed in any part of the train..
Eleventhly, although from the superiority of these breaks they
cannot fail to be adopted, yet they are not indispensable to my system;
and as, on the other hand, great expense would be incurred in altering a
large number of carriages all at once; my system may be applied to the
ordinary breaks now in use. For those represented in Fig. 18, it is
only necessary to bend the lever C, D, at a right angle, the prolonged
arm of which being extended to the front of the carriage supports a
heavy weight which, while the train is in motion, would be suspended
by one of the means mentioned, and immediately on being disengaged
would act powerfully on the break. A rack might be made to prevent
its return when once fallen, in order to avoid the release of the breaks
from the effect of a shock.
Twelfthly, it only now remains to state the means of avoiding
other dangers not herein-before mentioned, such as displacement of
the rails, or the presence of any obstacle thereon. These dangers can
no longer exist when the guard has it in his power to make a signal
which cannot escape notice. I will now describe a means of doing this
instantaneously. The guards will be provided with a metallic whip
similar to that shewn at Fig. 7. This whip is formed of any suitable
fibrous material, having wire platted in with the strands, so that on its
coming into contact with the general conductor these wires shall touch

page_text: it. The part which comes in contact with the hand should be covered
with varnished leather, or any other bad conductor of electricity, to pre-
serve the instrument and also the guard from the effects of the shock.
It will only be necessary, on any danger presenting itself, to twist up
one of the ends of his whip, and allow the other to drag upon the
ground; he will keep this position until the danger has been passed.
This signal would be efficacious even supposing the train to be nearly
upon the dangerous spot.
Having now described my Invention, and the best means which I am
acquainted for carrying the same into effect, I would observe, in conclu-
sion, that I do not mean or intend to limit myself rigidly to the precise
arrangement of parts herein shewn and described, as they may perhaps
be varied without departing from the nature and object of my Inven-
tion. But that which I consider to be new, and therefore wish to claim
as the Invention secured to me by Letters Patent as aforesaid, is,―
First, the various contrivances herein shewn and described, or any'
mere modification thereof, for making signals and bringing into opera-
tion mechanism for arresting the progress of a train by the agency of
electricity.
I also claim the method herein shewn and described, or any mere
modification thereof, for causing the weight of the carriage to act on
the rails, and thereby create sufficient friction to stop the train.
In witness whereof, I, the said Manuel Fernandez de Castro,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, the Seventeenth day of
March, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-four.
Witness,
JOSÉ FALERO.
MANUEL FERN. DE CASTRO. (L.s.)