AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION ON RAILWAYS, PARTS OF WHICH INVENTION ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER TELEGRAPHIO PURPOSES
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alice Isabel Lucan Gordon, of Princes Gate, Hyde
Park, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
SYSTEM OF TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION ON RAILWAYS, PARTS OF WHICH
INVENTION ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER TELEGRAPHIO PURPOSES."
Sealed the 27th November 1865, and dated the 5th June 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alice Isabel Lucan
Gordon at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with her
Petition, on the 5th June 1865.
I, ALICE ISABEL LUCAN GORDON, of Princes Gate, Hyde Park, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION ON RAILWAYS, PARTS
OF WHICH INVENTION ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER TELEGRAPHIC PURPOSES," to be
as follows
My improved system of telegraphic communication may be classified
under the following heads :-
First, a means of enabling any passenger in any part of a railway train
to communicate with the guard or guards of the train.
Second, a means of indicating to the guard from which carriage and
compartment the signal has been given, and of enabling him to reach that
or any other part of the train.
Third, a means of enabling the guards (if there are more than one) to
communicate with each other and with the engine driver.
Fourth, a means of indicating at each or any station the position at any
time of approaching or departed trains, and their rate of progression.
[Price Rd]

page_text: Fifth, a means of signalling from a station to a train at a distance on
the line, or from the train to the station.
Sixth, a means of preventing or detecting burglary.
The principle upon which the whole system is based is that of electricity.
In carrying out my Invention, I place a battery in each guard's van or in
one only; this should not be an ordinary battery requiring constant attention
and renewing, but a constant battery (of a description well known to any
electrician, and such as are now in frequent use) requiring no attention for
a period of from three to twelve months, and yet capable of giving out
(whenever required) an equable and constant stream of the electric fluid.
In each guard's van and also on the engine I place a powerful electric
bell of the following simple construction:-The armature of a small
electro-magnet in connection with the battery is attached to the
lower end of a lever, whilst on the upper end of the latter is formed
a hook or catch which takes hold of a pin on a second lever, at the
other end of which is a ball or weight which acts as the hammer of
the bell. When the circuit is completed the armature is attracted by the
magnet, and withdrawing the hook or catch from the pin, allows the ball
or hammer to fall on the bell, and thus give the signal.
The first-mentioned lever is provided with a spring to withdraw the
armature when the circuit is broken, and the second lever is also provided
with a spring to withdraw the ball or hammer slightly after it has struck
the bell. This arrangement has the disadvantage of requiring to be reset
by raising the hammer after each signal, but by shorteuing the lever which
carries the armature, and causing its upper end to act upon a second lever
so as to throw the ball or hammer upwards against the bell, the falling of
the ball may be caused to withdraw the armature, and thus the bell is
self-setting. It will be perceived that this bell has no clockwork, and will
only ring when the circuit is completed (in other words, when the signal
is given), and no oscillation of the train can cause it to ring. Though
the bell does not continue to ring so long as the circuit is complete, the
position of the hammer shows that a signal has been given, so that the
guard, would perceive it on merely looking at the bell.
Inside each compartment of each carriage I place a tassel and "detector;"
the tassel is attached to a cord or slight chain running over small pulleys
along the interior of the roof of the carriage, and hangs inside a semicircular
wire or canework bag or pocket, beside which is a small box with a strong
glass face. Within this is an index (like a diminutive semaphore arm (sus-
tained in a horizontal position by a pin. When the tassel is pulled the.action

page_text: of the cord (or of the pulley) withdraws the pin from the dial, when the
"detector" falls by its own weight into a vertical position, and thus indicates
positively that the tassel in that particular compartment had been pulled.
The "detector" can only be reset upon opening the box, of which each guard
alone possesses a key, or it might be set by the replacing of the metal disc
or plate hereafter named.
Each carriage is to be permanently fitted with three electric wires properly
insulated and twisted together like the strands of a rope, each wire termi-
nating with a loop, such loops corresponding with a similar number of insu-
lated hooks on the carriage. The loops are all insulated from each other,
and are so formed and arranged that one movement connects all the wires,
and it is impossible to connect them improperly. This arrangement is
necessary for keeping the wires distinct from each other throughout the length
of the train, or any other suitable means of connecting the wires may be
employed. When the train is formed the loop of each wire is to be placed
over the corresponding hook of thread joining carriage, so as to complete the
communication throughout the whole length of the train. In order to allow
of the wires being carried over trucks, horse boxes, or carriages not provided
with means of communication, each carriage so fitted is furnished at each end
with a drum carrying a given quantity of wire which may be paid out over any
intervening trucks or carriages to the nearest carriage having such means,
so that in all cases the communication may be complete from one end of
the train to the other. At one end of each carriage outside and near to
one side thereof (so as to be visible no matter what amount of baggage may be
on the roof) is a metal disc or plate of a square or other form with a red
(or other colored) glass centre. This disc or plate is mounfed on a small
lever which is held down in a horizontal position by a catch, and thrown up
vertical by a spring when the catch is withdrawn. When the passenger pulls
the tassel the cord withdraws this catch and the disc or plate flies up, thus
indicating to the guard or guards the carriage from whence the signal pro-,
ceeds. The form and arrangement of the lever is such, that as it rises it puts
the previously insulated wires into communication or contact with each
other, thus completing the circuit, and causing the eléctric bells to ring in the
guards' vans at each end of the train (or in one van only) at the same time
that the disc or plate indicates the carriage, and the "detector.""shows the
compartment where the tassel has been pulled. A small lamp or gas jet
should be provided to render the disc visible in a tunnel or at night. The
third insulated wire is to allow of the guards communicating with each other
or with the engine driver, between whom a proper code of signals must be

page_text: arranged; the passenger signal also utilizes this wire of communication with
both guards be thought necessary. When the two batteries are used, it is
worked in the same way as the others. In order to allow the guard greater
facility and safety in proceeding from his van to any particular carriage by
means of the foot boards, should his doing so without stoppage of the train be
deemed advisable, I provide each carriage with a light hand rail between the
doors, and also with a rope or strap passing between the carriages above the
buffers, which rope or strap it will be the guard's duty to connect by means
of a sinal! swivel or hook when the train is made up; and I propose also to
make the doors of the carriages concave so as to form a recess in which the
guard can stand with greater safety when passing bridges, tunnels, or other
parts of the line where the space is contracted in width; the form of the foot-
board also to follow that of the door.
For the purpose of affording a means of indicating at stations the positions
of approaching and departed trains, and also to enable a signal to be sent
from a station to a train on the line, or from a train to a station, I use the
following arrangement:-Suppose, for example, that there are two stations
at a distance of (say) ten miles from each other; at one of these stations is a
galvanic battery provided with an earth wire; the other wire is to be insulated
and carried along the line on the telegraph posts in the same manner as the
ordinary telegraph wire, with the exception that at intervals of (say) one
mile a carefully insulated wire is carried down, and passing under the rail
nearest to it is connected to a given length of slight rail laid centrally between
the two ordinary rails but insulated therefrom and from the earth. At a
short distance along the line is laid another slight central rail from which a
wire passes to an earth plate, so that it will be perceived that the continuity
of the central rail is broken at these intervals, and that one portion thereof is
in communication with the earth. Each guard's van is provided with a
central wheel which runs upon this central rail when the train is on this
portion of the line, and there being one at each end of the train, and the two
wheels being in connection with each other by means of a fourth wire passing
over the carriages (and if the passenger signal be used twisted with the wires
of the same) it necessarily follows at the moment of the train's passing (or
when the train is stationary on) this part of the rail the electric circuit is
complete, and a hell is rung at the station, thus showing that the train is
passing (or on) the "break." The wire connecting the two wheels above-
named is also in connection with an electric bell in the guard's van, so that
this bell also rings each time the train passes over a "break." By attaching
a dial and index to the bell at the station it can readily be made to show the

page_text: number of "breaks" which the train has passe 1, and consequently its position
on the line. A reference to the clock or time-piece (at the station) will give
the hour, aud thus a time and distance signal will be combined. It will be
evident, also, that an electrical communication being thus established between
the train and the station, messages may be interchanged either by means of a
bell or by a telegraph instrument; these breaks would be very advisable in
tunnels. For the purpose of indicating to a station the advent ofan approach-
ing train, I propose to provide a post at or near the station with a semaphore
arm worked by an electro-magnet. When it is indicated on the dial of the
station which the train has left that it has passed the last "break," and is
consequently approaching the next station, the attendant at the first station
transmits an electric current along the wires which puts the electro-magnet
into action, releasing a catch, and allowing a balance weight to fall and
raise the semaphore arm, thus warning the next stition that a train is
approaching; a lamp is applied to this semaphore arm at night. In
order to allow the guard a facility for communication with the station
from other points of the line than where the central rails above described
are laid, any of the telegraph posts may be provided with an insulated
descending wire and also with an earth wire and a means of connecting the
two (such as a spring button or "contactor," for instance,) may be placed in
a box, attached to the post of which box every guard on the line will have a
key; then by unlocking the box and connecting the two wires he can establish
a communication. It would be better to provide this signal with a wire
to itself, and a simple telegraph instrument might be used instead of a
"contactor" only.
In applying my Invention to the prevention or detection of burglary I
propose to furnish the door of the safe or the door or window of the room to
be protected with a button or contactor placed in any convenient position,
and so connected by wires with an electric, oxyhydrogen, or other light
apparatus fixed in a conspicuous part of the exterior of the building at any
height required, so that upon the door or window being opened a brilliant-
colored light is exhibited in order to call the attention of the police or other
passers by. At the same time, the "contactor" may be connected (if
preferred) with an electric bell (such as that previously described) placed
either inside or outside the building.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent. filed
by the said Alice Isabel Lucan Gordon in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 5th December 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALIOR
ISABEL LUCAN GORDON, of Princes Gate, Hyde Park, in the County of
Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord Oue
thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Alice Isabel Lucan Gordon, Her special licence that I, the said
Alice Isabel Lucan Gordon, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Alice Isabel Lucan Gordon, ny executors, admi-
nistrators, 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 "AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
ON RAILWAYS, PARTS OF WHICH INVENTION ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER TELE-
GRAPHIC PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Alice Isabel Lucan Gordon, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should parti-
cularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, 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 Alice Isabel Lucan Gordon do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement in writing, and on reference to the accompanying Sheets
of Drawings, that is to say:-
My improved system of telegraphic communication may be classified under
the following heads :-
First, a means of enabling any passenger in any part of a railway train to
communicate with the guard or guards of the train, and with the engine
driver also if thought desirable.
Second, a means of indicating to the guard from which carriage and com-

page_text: partment the signal has been given, and of enabling him to reach that or
any other part of the 'train.
Third, a means of enabling the guards (if there are more than one) to
communicate with each other and with the engine driver.
Fourth, a means of indicating at each or any station the position at any
time of approaching or departed trains, and their rate of progression.
Fifth, a means of signalling from a station to a train at a distance on the
line, or from the train to the station, together with a means of indicating the
approach of a train to a station, or gate, or other part of a line, and also a
means of signalling to a train to stop.
Sixth, a means of preventing or detecting burglary.
The principle upon which the whole system is based is that of electricity.
In carrying out my Invention I place a battery in each guard's van or in
one only; this should not be an ordinary battery requiring constant attention
and renewing, but a constant battery (of a description well known to any
electrician, and such as are now in frequent use) requiring no attention for a
period of from three to twelve months, and yet capable of giving out (when
required) an equable and constant stream of the electric fluid.
In each guard's van and also on the engine I place a powerful electric bell
of the following simple construction:-The armature of a small electro-
magnet in connection with the battery is attached to the lower end of a lever,
whilst on the upper end of the latter is formed a hook or catch which takes
hold of a pin on a second lever, at the other end of which is a ball or
weight which acts as the hammer of the bell. When the circuit is
completed the armature is attracted by the magnet, and withdrawing the
hook or catch from the pin allows the ball or hammer to fall on the bell,
and thus give the signal.
The first-mentioned lever is provided with a spring to withdraw the
armature when the circuit is broken, and the second lever is also provided
with a spring to withdraw the ball or hammer slightly after it has struck the
bell. This arrangement has the disadvange of requiring to be reset by raising
the hammer after each signal, but by shortening the lever which carries the
armature; and causing its upper end to act upon a second lever so as throw
the ball or hammer upwards against the bell, the falling of the hammer may
be caused to withdraw the armature, and thus the bell is self-setting. It will
be perceived that this bell has no clockwork, and will only ring when the.
circuit is completed, (in other words, when the signal is given), and no
oscillation of the train can cause it to ring. Though the bell does not con-
tinue to ring so long as the circuit is complete, the position of the hammer.

page_text: shews that a signal has been given, so that one would perceive it on merely
looking at the bell. Inside each compartment of each carriage I place a
tassel and "detector," the tassel is attached to a cord or slight chain running
over small pulleys along the interior of the roof of the carriage, and hangs
inside a semicircular wire or canework bag or pocket, beside or above which
is a small box with a strong glass face. Within this is an index (like a
diminutive semaphore arm) sustained in a horizontal position by a pin.
When the tassel is pulled the action of the cord (or of the pulley) withdraws
the pin from the dial, when the "detector" falls by its own weight into a
vertical position, and thus indicates positively that the tassel in that particular
compartment had been pulled. The "detector can only be reset upon
opening the box, of which each guard alone possesses a key, or it might be
set by the replacing of the metal disc or plate hereafter named.
"
Each carriage is to be permanently fitted with three electric wires properly
insulated, and twisted together like the strands of a rope, each end ter-
minating with a simple fastening. The wires are all insulated from each
other, and the fastenings are so formed and arranged that one movement
connects all the wires, and it is impossible to connect them improperly which-
ever way the carriages may be turned. This arrangement is necessary for
keeping the wires distinct from each other throughout the length of the train.
When the train is formed the wires are to be connected together by means of
the fastenings, so as to complete the communication throughout the length
of the train. In order to allow of the wires being carried over trucks, horse-
boxes, or carriages not provided with means of communication, each carriage
so fitted it furnished at each end (or at one end only) with a drum carrying
a given quantity of wire, which may be paid out over any intervening trucks
or carriages to the nearest carriage having such means, so that in all cases the
communication may be complete from one end of the train to the other. At
one end of each carriage outside and near to one side thereof (so as to be
visible, no matter what amount of baggage may be on the roof) is a metal
disc or plate of a square or other form, with a red (or other colored) glass
centre. This disc or plate is mounted on a small lever, which is held down
in a horizontal position by a catch, and thrown up vertical by a spring when
the catch is withdrawn. When the passenger pulls the tassel the cord with-
draws this catch and the disc or plate flies up, thus indicating to the guard or
guards the carriage from which the signal proceeds. The form and arrange-
ment of the lever is such that as it rises it puts the previously insulated wires
into communication or contact with each other, thus completing the circuit
and causing the electric bells to ring in the guard's vans at each end of the

page_text: train, (or in one van only), and also on the engine if required, at the same
time that the disc or plate indicates the carriage, and the "detector." shows
the compartment where the tassel has been pulled. A small lamp or gas jet
should be provided to render the disc visible in a tunnel or at night. The
third insulated wire is to allow of the guards communicating with each other
or with the engine driver, between whom and the former a proper code of
signals must be arranged. The passenger signal also utilizes this wire if com-
munication with both guards or with the engine driver be thought necessary.
When the two batteries are used it is worked in the same way as the others.
In order to allow the guard greater facility and safety in proceeding from his
van to any particular carriage by means of the footboards (should his doing so
without stoppage of the train be deemed advisable) I provide each carriage
with a light hand-rail between the doors, and also with a rope or strap passing
between the carriages above the buffers, which rope or strap it will be the
guard's duty to connect by means of a small swivel or hook when the train is
made up. And I propose also to make the doors of the carriages concave so
as to form a recess in which the guard can stand with greater safety when
passing bridges, tunnels, or other parts of the line where the space is con-
tracted in width; the form of the footboard also to follow that of the door.
For the purpose of affording a means of indicating at stations the positions
of approaching and departed trains, and also to enable a signal to be sent
from a station to a train on the line, or from a train to a station, I use the
following arrangement:-Suppose, for example, that there are two stations at
a distance of (say) ten miles from each other, at one of these stations is a
galvanic battery provided with an earth wire, the other wire is to be insulated
and carried along the line on the telegraph posts in the same manner as the
ordinary telegraph wire, with the exception that at intervals of (say) one
mile, a carefully insulated wire is carried down, and passing under the rail
nearest to it is connected to a given length of slight rail laid centrally
between the two ordinary rails, but insulated therefrom and from the earth.
At a short distance along the line is laid another slight central rail, from which
a wire passes to an earth plate, so that it will be perceived that the continuity
of the central rail is broken at these intervals, and that one portion thereof is
in communication with the earth. Each guard's van is provided with a central
wheel which runs upon this central rail when the train is on this portion of the
line, and there being one at each end of the train, and the two wheels being
in connection with each other by means of a fourth wire passing over the car-
riages (and if the passenger signal be used twisted with the wires of the same)
it necessarily follows that at the moment of the train's passing (or when the

page_text: train is stationaryon) this part of the rail the electric circuit is complete, and a
bell is rung at the station, thus shewing that the train is passing (or at)the spot
where this electric arrangement is situated, which arrangement I shall herein-
after for the sake of convenience term an "electric rail." The wire connect-
ing the two wheels above-named is also in connection with an electric bell in
the guard's van, so that this bell also rings each time the train passes over an
electric rail. By attaching a dial and index to the bell at the station it can
readily be made to shew the number of electric rails which the train has
passed, and consequently its position on the line. A reference to the clock
or timepiece (at the station) will give the hour, and thus a time and distance-
signal, will be combined. It will be evident also that an electrical communi-
cation being thus established between the train and the station, messages
may be interchanged either by means of a bell or by a telegraph instrument.
These electric rails would be very advisable in tunnels. Instead of having
the central rail as above described, the same end may be partially attained by
placing a moveable rail just inside the ordinaay rails, so that as the flanges of
the carriage wheels pass over this moveable rail it is depressed. This move-
ment of the rail brings the battery wire and the earth wire into contact, and
thus completes the electric circuit. The moveable rail should be rather
longer than the greatest space between any two wheels on the train, so that
it shall be kept down (and consequently the circuit be complete) during the
whole passage of the train. When the train has passed over the moveable
rail is returned to its normal position by means of springs. This arrangement
will give the same time and distance signal at the station as does the central
rail, but it gives and receives no signal on the train. For the
purpose of
indicating to a station the advent of an approaching train I propose to
provide a post at or near the station, with a semaphore arm worked by an
electro-magnet. When it is indicated on the dial of the station which the
train has left that it has passed the last electric rail, and is consequently
approaching the next station, the attendant at the first station transmits an
electric current along the wires which puts the electro-magnet into action,
releasing a catch, and allowing a balance weight to fall and raise the sema-
phore arm, thus warning the next station that a train is approaching; a lamp
is applied to this semaphore arm at night. In order to allow the guard a
facility for communication with the station from other points of the line than
where the electric rails or moveable rails above described are laid, any of the
telegraph posts may be provided with an insulated descending wire, and also
with an earth wire, and any suitable means of connecting the two (such as a
spring button or "contactor" for instance), may be placed in a box attached

page_text: .
to the post, of which box every guard on the line will have a key, then by
unlocking the box and connecting the two wires he can establish a com-
munication. It would be better to provide this signal with a wire to itself,
and a simple telegraph instrument might be used instead of a "contactor
only.
"
In applying my Invention to the prevention or detection of burglary I
propose to furnish the door of the safe (or the door or window of the room
to be protected) with a button or "contactor," placed in any convenient
position, and connected by wires with an electric, oxyhydrogen, or other light
apparatus, fixed in a conspicuous part of the exterior of the building at any
height required, so that upon the door or window being opened a brilliant
colored light is exhibited, in order to call the attention of the police or other
passers by. At the same time the "contactor" may be connected (if pre-
ferred) with an electric bell (such as that previously described) placed either
inside or outside the building.
Such being the nature and object of my said Invention for "An Improved
System of Telegraphic Communication on Railways, l'arts of which Invention
are also applicable to other Telegraphic Purposes," I will now proceed to
describe more in detail the manner in which the same is to be or may be
performed or carried into practical effect, and in order that the same may be
distinctly understood I have annexed hereunto two Sheets of Drawings illus-
trative thereof, and have marked the same with figures and letters of reference
corresponding with those in the following explanation thereof, that is to say:-
In Sheet 1 of the annexed Drawings Figure 1 represents a railway train
fitted with my improved apparatus; A, A, being the engine and tender;
B, B, guards vans; C, C, passenger carriages, and D), D, trucks.
Figure 2 shows side and front views of one form of electric bell, which I
propose to use in the guard's van, and on the engine as above-named; a, a,
is a sinall electro-magnet in connection with the battery; the armature b, b,
of this magnet is attached to the lower end of a lever c, c, the upper end
of which forms a hook, and catches on to a pin at one end of the hammer
lever d, d; e, e, is a spring for withdrawing the armature when the circuit
is broken, and f, f, the hammer spring; g, g, is the bell, the dotted lines
shew the action of the hammer.
Figure 3 represents a modification of the above, which is self-setting; a, a,
is the magnet; b, b, the armature carried by a short lever; c, c, the upper part
of which acts against a lever, d, d, whose fulcrum is at e, and this lever
actuates the hammerf, f; g, g, is the bell, h, h, is a spring to keep the levers C
and d in contact. The falling of the hammer f;f, after it has struck the

page_text: Den withdraws the armature 0, 0, from the magnet a, a, as soon as the electric
current is broken.
Figure 4 is a vertical section of a first-class carriage, showing the position
of the "detector" a. The tassel instead of hanging down loosely is enclosed
in a small net, bag, or purse b.
Figure 5 shows one method of connecting the wires between the carriages.
Each wire is furnished at the end with an eye d, secured separately to a
bar, b, b, of gutta percha, ivory, or other non-conducting material. The eyes a, a,
are further insulated by being covered at each side with a non-conducting
material as at c, c.
The thicknesses of the eyes and spaces being equal it
will be evident that upon interlocking them the wires will still remain all
insulated from each other, and the object is to connect the end of each wire
with its corresponding wire whilst it remains insulated from the rest. This is
accomplished by the insertion of the pin d, d, which is made of a non-con-
ducting material, but is provided with three metallic rings or ferules e, e, e,
by means of which the eyes a, a, and consequently their respective wires,
are connected together in pairs, each wire being connected to the one
opposite to it, but remaining insulated from the others.
Figures 6, 7, and 7* are modifications of the above. In the former hooks
a, a, (having insulating material b, b, between them) are employed, and these
books are furnished with spring buttons c, c, which prevents their becoming
unhooked accidentally. In Figure 7 conical pegs and holes are employed,
and in Figure 7* the electric contact is made by springs a, a, and the fastening
is effected by spring latches b, b; but it will be evident that a great
variety of other arrangements might be used for this purpose so long as the
following conditions are observed, 1stly, that only one operation or move-
ment shall be required to connect any number of wires, and, 2ndly, that
the form of the connecting parts shall be identical, so that the turning round
of a carriage shall not interfere with the ready connection of the wires, as
would be the case if a hook and eye or other similar arrangement were to
be employed.
Figure 8 is a section, and Figure 9 a side view of the drum which I pro-
pose to employ for paying out the wires over trucks, as shown at D, D, in
Figure 1. a, a, is the drum supported on an axle b, b, as it is of course neces-
sary that the electric fluid should pass through this drum from the fixed wires
on the carriage, to the wires which are coiled on the drum. I propose to
make the axle b, b, of the drum in two parts, insulated from each other, as
shown at Figure 8, and also to insulate the axle at one side from the drum
by a tube c, c, of ivory, wood, or other non-conductor, connecting one of the

page_text: wires to each, so that there are three channels for the electric fluid, each
insulated from the other. The fixed wires are also connected, one to each
part of the axle and one to the metallic side of the drum. The wires which
communicate with the divided axle may be permanently attached, one to each
bracket d, d, but the one in connection with the drum must be furnished at
the end with a spring clip, as shewn at d*, so as to allow the neck of the drum
to revolve therein; e, e is a winch handle, and, /, a ratchet wheel for the
purpose of winding-up, unwinding, and holding the wires.
Figure 10 is an end view of a carriage showing how the fixed wires are
connected to the drum. This Figure also shows the disc or plate a,a, mounted
on a lever b,b, and thrown up (into the position shown) by means of a spring
c, c, as soon as a catch is released by pulling the cord inside the carriage as
previously described. The arrangement of this disc will be better understood
on referring to the enlarged view Figure 11, in which, d, d, represent two
electric wires. On the fulcrum of the lever b, b, is a wheel or roller in con-
tact with both the wires, and composed of two pieces of non-conducting
material e, e, divided by a piece of metal f, f. It will be observed that when
the lever is in the position shown in the Drawing the wires d, d, are insu-
lated from each other by the interposition of the non-conducting material e,e,
and that the same is the case when the lever is in the position shown in dotted
lines in Figure 10, but as the lever flies up (on the pulling of the tassel inside
the carriage) the piece f.; momentarily connects the two wires and transmits
the signal to the guard's van, but leaves the wires free for the guard to use to
communicate with the driver the instant afterwards. To allow of this a third
wire connected to the engine driver's bell is put in or out of contact by
the guard turning a small wheel, similar to e, f, by means of a key in his
possession. This wire is either above or below the wires d, d, and the wheel,
concealed by a plate or escutcheon, is placed in any convenient part outside
the carriage. Figure 11*shows how the disc may be arranged so as to con-
nect all three of the wires in case it should be thought desirable to allow the
passenger to communicate direct with the engine driver also.
Figure 12 is a ground plan of a carriage showing how I propose to facilitate
the guards passing with safety along the outside of the train (to reach the
carriage whence the signal has proceeded) without stopping the train. I pro-
vide a light hand-rail a, a, along all the carriages, and a rope or strap b, b, in
continuation of the same between the carriages, as shown on the lower portion
of Figure 1, and I make the footboards c, c, of the carriages as long as the
action of the buffers will admit; I also inake the doors d, d, of the carriage.
coucave externally so as to form a recess in which the guard can stand whilst

page_text: passing bridges or other places where the space is contracted, and the footboard
also follows the same form.
In Sheet 2, Figures 13 and 14, illustrate my method of indicating at the
stations the positions of approaching or departed trains, and also of signalling.
from the station to the train, and vice versâ, and represent in plan view and
section one of the telegraphing points or "electric rails" placed at intervals of
(say) one mile (as previously described) between the two stations. a, a, b, b,
are two short rails, placed centrally between the two ordinary rails, and
raised slightly above them. The rail a, a, is in connection with an earth
plate, and the rail b, b, is carefully insulated from the ground, and froin it a
short wire c, c, passes to the wire d, d, which is supported on the ordinary
telegraph posts, and is specially devoted to this service. There is ordinarily no
communication between the rails a, a, and b, b, but whenever a train passes
over this spot (as shown at Figure 14) the electric circuit is completed by the
following means:-The guard's van at each end of the train is furnished with
a central wheel e, e, which wheels run upon the central rails a,a,b,b, and these
two wheels being connected together by a wire passing over the carriages, and
twisted with the passenger signal wires, it follows that whenever a train
passes a direct communication is made from the wire d, d, to the earth, and
thus the necessary current is created, and the signal transmitted. Figure 14*
shows the application of the moveable rail, which may be used in lieu of the
electric rail as previously described, a, a, being the moveable rail upon which
the flanges of the wheels act.
Figure 15 represents a semaphore signal to be placed at the end of the
station platform (or elsewhere) to indicate the approach of a train; this is
somewhat similar to an ordinary semaphore, but the post is provided with a
small box a, a, containing an electro-magnet and lever resembling that shown
in Figure 2 (Sheet 1) the latter having a catch, which holds on to a pin
projecting from the rod b, b, which connects the semaphore arm c, c, to the
weighted lever d, d. The motion of the armature (when the electric circuit
is completed) releases the pin, and allows the weighted lever d,d, to throw up
the arm c, c, as seen in the Drawing. After the train has arrived the arm
may be lowered, and the apparatus reset by an attendant simply raising the
weighted lever, or by any simple arrangement similar to that (for instance)
shewn at Figure 14*; the engine itself might be caused to perform this office
in passing.
Figures 16 and 17 show in front and side elevations the means whereby.
the guard of a train is enabled to communicate with the station at any point
intermediate between the "electric or moveable rail" above described. Any

page_text: required number of the telegraph posts may be fitted with this arrangement.
From the line wire a, a, an insulated wire b, b, descends, terminating in the
box c, c, with a spring button or "contactor," in juxtaposition with which is
a plate in communication with an earth wire d, d. Upon the guard opening
the box and pressing the button, the circuit is completed, and the signal
transmitted, or (if preferred) a portable telegraph instrument might be readily
here connected, and a message sent.
Figure 18 shows a section of a building illustrating that part of my Inven-
tion which relates to the prevention or detection of burglary. a, a, are the
electric wires connecting the safe b, b, and each of the doors and windows of
the building with the lamp c, c. A battery is placed in any convenient part
of the building, and the doors and windows are so arranged that upon the
opening of either of them the electric circuit is completed, and the electric
oxyhydrogen or other light is ignited in the lamp c, c, as will be readily under-
stood by any electrician, and (as above described) the same electric current
may be caused to ring a bell simultaneously either outside or inside the
building.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention for "An
Improved System of TelegraphicCommunication on Railways, Parts of which
Invention are also applicable to other Telegraphic Purposes," together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into the
practical effect, I would remark, in conclusion, that I claim as my Invention
the improved system of telegraphic communication as above described, and
illustrated in the annexed Drawings, or any mere modification or imitation
thereof operating in substantially the same or a similar manner.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alice Isabel Lucan Gordon, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
30 Witness,
GEORGE DAVIES,
Patent Agent,
1, Serle St., Lincoln's Inn.