Iм- PROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS, AND IN THE APPARATUS USED THEREIN
Year: 1874

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Alder How, at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
14th December 1874.
I, WILLIAM ALDER How, senior, of Redmarley, in the County of
Gloucester, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS, AND IN THE APPARATUS USED THEREIN,"
to be as follows:-
"
The object of this Invention is to provide continuous controlling and
concurrent outdoor signals for railway trains during transit between
stations in foggy or other weather adaptable for working the present
signals, which are worked for a considerable distance along the line,
the said present wires being converted into a stream of signals them-
selves, which would be more efficient in many ways, especially for foggy
weather and on dark nights; and also by dispensing largely with
counterbalance weights and other resisting power, effecting a great
saving and certainty of action.
My Invention consists substantially of the following arrangements :-
In some cases to avoid the use of counterbalance weights or other resisting
power which tends to prevent the casy working of long wires I erect

page_text: posts along the line about as high as the engine, or higher where
required, to carry the wires, on which are placed a stream of signals.
I prefer a base, fixed point, or fulcrum for my signals, fixed on dead or
regulating wires which will contract or expand in unision with the
operating wires, the ends of such wires in some cases terminating in
signal or lever boxes, and passing over and attached to circular levers or
drums or other power; and said wires have tension weights to aid in
regulating the contraction and expansion of the wires, which are alter-
nately operated by the signalmen, of which it takes two to make a clear
signal, while either can make a danger signal, and thus by this con-
currence of outdoor clear signals it is an impossibility for trains to meet,
and mistakes made by either signalmen could not cause an accident further
than stopping the train; or that one train could overtake another, as
either signalman could arrest any train overrunning the station signals.
At night, or when required, lights should be fixed on the engine, tender,
and guard's van, to throw their lights on the signals, and this mode of
signalling is especially useful in foggy weather. The strained length of
the wires will constitute a block space, as they will operate a sufficient
distance, having no resistance to overcome save that of their own trail;
and should either of the wires get out of order it can be immediately
detected, and the train can be guided by the other wire. Where very
long block spaces may be desired each length of wire may constitute
part or half a block space terminated by a lever or signal box, in
which the sole duty of the lever man may be to connect up the signals
on either side of him, thus continuing the stream between station and
station.
The foregoing arrangements are adaptable to the existing wires for
making the signals continuous and more accurate in working, but
operated from one signal box and by counterbalance weights at the other
end. An endless wire may also be strained a long distance, carrying
continuous signals forming its own base, fixed joint, or fulcrum for the
signals.