IMPROVEMENTS IN MAKING COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE GUARDS, ENGINEERS, AND OTHER SERVANTS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES, AND ALSO BETWEEN THE PASSENGERS AND. SUCH SERVANTS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE GENERALLY WHERE SPEEDY AND CERTAIN COMMUNICATIONS ARE REQUIRED
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
BARBER HAXBY, of Dewsbury, in the County of York, Attorney at Law, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Sixteenth day of
February, in the eleventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs
and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Joseph Barber Haxby, my
exors, admors, and assigns, Her special license, full power, sole privilege
and authority, that I, the said Joseph Barber Haxby, my exors, admors, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph Barber Haxby, my exors,
adiñors, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales,
and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MAKING COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE GUARDS, ENGINEERS, AND OTHER SERVANTS
OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES, AND ALSO BETWEEN THE PASSENGERS AND.
SUCH SERVANTS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE GENERALLY WHERE SPEEDY
AND CERTAIN COMMUNICATIONS ARE REQUIRED;" in which said Letters Patent thero
is contained a proviso that I, the said Joseph Barber Haxby, shall cause a
particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Joseph Barber Haxby, do hereby declare that the nature of my Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference
being had to the several Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and
letters marked thereon, that is to say:-
My Invention consists,―
Firstly, in improvements in making communications between the guards,
engineers, and other servants in charge of railway carriages; and,
Secondly, in making communications between the passengers and such
servants, both of which means of communication are applicable generally where
speedy and certain communications are required. But I make no claim to the
mechanical parts of the said Invention seperately and indepandent of each
other, but my said Invention consists of the manner of combining and using
the several parts in the several manners and for the several purposes herein-
before stated, and as herein-after described and set forth.
The communication between the guards, engineers, and other servants is
proposed to be effected as follows, namely, by means of a signalling apparatus
to be placed upon the roof or in front of the guard's van (which van is also
to be placed next the tender), and constructed upon the same or a similar
plan to many now in use upon various lines, from which, by being elevated
above the rest of the carriages, the guard can, while sitting with his back to
the engine, command a full view of the roofs of all the carriages composing
a train; see Drawing No. I., representing a train with the signalling appa-
ratus applied to the guard's van, as proposed. The apparatus may be placed
upon the tender or engine itself if preferred, but if so placed it will require a
connecting rod carrying along the engine and tender, and projecting from it
so that it can be reached by the guard from his van.
The signalling apparatus shewn by the Drawing No. 2 is thus formed:-It
consists of a bell composed of the purest metal, and of the shrillest possible
sound, suspended by a bolt passing through the top, and fastened with a nut
outside the centre of four uprights, meeting at the top, the bottom of each
being rivetted into a sheet-iron plate. The bell is raised a sufficient distance
from the iron plate to allow of a moveable hammer being fixed immediately

page_text: under the outer edge of one side of it upon an axis working upon two upright
pieces of iron, the hamper being bent in this form
At the point b
there is a stop placed to prevent the weight of the clapper or hammer throwing
the lever too far out. To the point 6 is also connected one end of a piece of
iron, with a crank at each end, the other crank being connected to a rod c
made to slide in staples d, d, and of such a length that it will go through the
front of the guard's van. By pulling this rod out the clapper is made to strike
the bell, after which the weight of the hammer itself causes it
fall back and
allow vibration, at the same time replacing the rod. The whole is intended to
be covered with a metal cover (as zinc), with a space in the bottom part of the
front covered with wire or perforated zinc, so as to let in a current of air in
that direction, and at the top of the dome, covering the apparatus, is inserted a
pipe so as to collect the sound, and assisted by the current of air blowing in
from beneath to conduct it to the front of the apparatus (see Drawing No. 2).
This pipe may be either in the form shewn in the sketch or a straight pipe
with a projecting piece before it, so as to allow the air that goes in below to
pass out, but not to admit the air through the front. This cover is placed over
the bolt used to suspend the bell, which is left long enough for that purpose,
and forms a screw upon which is put an iron knob to fasten the cover. The
whole is fixed upon two brackets, and they fasten to the front of the guard's
van by bolts, and the connecting rod is let through the van, and the handle
which is fastened by a screw, is put to it so that the guard can make use of it
at any time from the inside. The same apparatus may be used at each end of
a train, but the Inventor prefers the use of signals from the guard at the rear
of the train to the guard at the van, so that the passengers may not be
alarmed by the noise which would be produced if the apparatus were adopted
at the rear. This apparatus is intended to be used as follows:-When the
guard considers it necessary to communicate with the engine driver, either
from the result of his own observation or from any signal made use of by
the passengers, he makes use of his signalling apparatus to attract his atten-
tion, and then gives him any other signal he may desire by means of his
signalling lamp or flag, The guard sitting as is proposed will always be able
in trains where there are two guards to see any signals made use of by the
guard at the other end of the train, and immediately signify them to the
engineer, thus affording a complete and instantaneous means of communica-
tion between the two guards and engine driver. And should it happen that
the guard next the tender had left his seat for any purpose, still the guard at
the rear could sigual to the engine driver at once, as he would be looking

page_text: down in direction of the side of the train in consequence of the guard always
making use of the signalling apparatus so as to attract attention of the engine
driver or stoker down the train previous to his quitting his seat. This sig
nalling apparatus may be generally applied either to take the place of a station
bell, an alarm bell, may be used in inn or gentleman's stable yards, porters
lodges, &c., for which purpose it will be found admirably adapted, from its
requiring little hanging, and its not being liable to get out of working order or
pulled down with ringing. If applied to any of these purposes, instead of the
handle projecting so far, it will be necessary to make use of a pulley to carry
the string or chain over by which to ring the bell, which must be connected
with the working rod, and the pulley placed at such a distance às to allow the
rod to move easily in and out of the cover when worked; and also for these
purposes the cover would be formed differently, the pipe at the top being
: dispensed with, and the whole of the bottom part of the cover either being left
open, or formed of wire or perforated zinc, or some other open substance, so
as to let out the sound equally all round, the top part of course being solid, as
before, to prevent snow or other substance resting upon the bell.
The means of communication between the passengers and guards and other
servants is also intended to be effected as follows:-On the top of one end of
cach passenger carriage it is proposed that a signal should be so placed that it
can be made use of at any time when required by any passenger in every
compartment of the carriage where it is used. The signal is formed as shewn
by the Drawing No. 8. The Figure represents a box formed of cast iron,
with four legs upon which it stands, so as to raise it two or three inches, at the
end of each leg there being a hole to admit of a bolt or screw to fasten it to
the roof of the carriage. Upon the box is placed a pillar, hollow up the
centre, and with a flange projecting over the top of the box, so as to keep the
wet from getting into the inside through the opening left in the box for the
lever or handle to work in. In this flange there are threo holes for screws to
fasten the box and pillar together, and lugs are left inside the box to receive
the screws and give strength. Up the centre of the pillar runs a wrought iron
rod, which works through the bottom of the box, and is there fastened with a
pin or nut, and also works against the extreme top of the pillar, which is cast
with a bush inside for that purpose, so that the shaft works against no other
part but the top and bottom. Upon a square at top of this rod is fixed a bar
of iron, to which is attached two disks made in an octagonal form (the upright
rod, bar of iron and octagonal disks being similar to those now in use on many
railways), and fastened on at the point c to the rod with a nut. These disks
are to be painted a bright red. On one side of each of these disks there is left

page_text: a loop or space d in the bar of iron going across them for the reception of a
piece of iron to be fixed at the back of a lamp, to retain it in its place on either
side, as occasion may require, and which lamp is used as a night signal and in
tunnels; and if it is preferred that the light should be thrown both ways at the
same time, then one of the disks is to be cut out as at E, so as to admit the
lamp with a glass both ways, and a slide or grove made down each side of
the lamp to fit upon the disk, and retain it in its place instead of the loops
before referred to. The lamp is placed upon the disks to prevent the pos-
sibility of any one signal being obscured from the view of the guard by .
another being placed before it, which can never be the case when the lamps
are fixed upon the disks, because as soon as the signal is put into use, the
disk is thrown across the carriage, taking the lamp with it from the centre,
and exposing it fully to the view of the guard. The bottom of the upright
rod is also formed with a square (see inside view a); and the angles of which
fall exactly between the angles of the square at the top. Immediately above
where it works in the box, and upon this square, is fixed a coiled spring b, its
end being fastened to a pin c, so as to keep it firm and at full stretch. On
the same square, immediately above the spring, is fixed a lever handle d,
which projects out between the box and the pillar, for which purpose a piece
is cut out in the front of the box, so as to allow the handle just to work &
'quarter, and inside the box is placed a catch E, in this form
'fixed with a screw at the point E against one of the lugs
left for the set screws, and which is made square to receive
it, the lower part of the catch 9 going through the bottom
e
of the box into the space left between the legs and the roof of the car-
riage. Immediately under this catch is placed a small flat spring (f)
so as to keep the catch in its upright position. When the signal is
required to be fixed in the position ready for use, namely, longitudinally
with the carriages, and then présenting only its lateral edge to the view of the
'guard, the lever or handle is pulled into the catch (thereby tightening the coil
spring) where it is kept by the flat spring. When the signal is, to be used it
'is done by this catch being pulled from the 'end g of the part projecting
through the box, which depresses the catch and liberates the lever, the coil
spring then acting upon the signal carries it across the carriage, presenting
5 the full-surface of the disks to the guard. The mode of fixing the wire or
cord by which the signal is acted upon is as follows:-To that end of the
catch which is betwixt the bottom of the box and the roof of the carriage, as
before described, is fixed a wire, cord, or chain,, which is carried to about the
centre of the last compartment of the carriage; about the centre of the first

page_text: compartiment a hole is made in the roof of the carriage to admit a wire, cord,
or chain, which is fixed to the main wire, cord, or chain, a few inches nearer the
signal than the opening, and in the opening is fixed a pulley or roller, over
which this wire, cord, or chain is placed, and then passing through a small tube
in the roof to prevent it moving about. A tassel or handle is fixed to it which
hangs in the inside of the carriage, so that by any person pulling from the
inside the catch is depressed, and the signal set in motion, as before
explained, and which cannot be replaced in its former position from the
inside of the carriage. The same operation is repeated in the other compart-
ments, the end of the main cord itself passing into the last one. The whole
of this wire, cord, or chain is covered by a D tube, so as to prevent it being
injured by any thing placed on the roof, and also to prevent any wet from
getting into the inside of the carriages through any of the holes made in the
roof to fix the apparatus. The signal is replaced in its position ready for use
again by means of the lever or handle (which must be placed over the end of
the carriage) being pulled back the quarter and into the catch. This signal
is meant to be used as follows: that when any passenger wishes to com-
municate with the guard, he makes use of the signal, which the guard from the
position he occupies, as before described, from which he commands a view of
the roof of every carriage, cannot fail to observe, and he, previous to leaving
his seat, makes use of the signalling apparatus, to attract the attention of the
engine driver or stoker, one of whom watch his movements. The guard then
immediately proceeds to the carriage where the signal has been used, when, if
necessary, he gives signals to the engine driver or stoker by his lamp or flag,
and if nothing is required, he closes the signal by means of the handle or lever,
the train proceeding at its usual speed. Thus a perfect system of communica-
tion is hereby afforded between the passengers and servants in charge of rail-
way trains. At night or on lines where there are many tunnels, a lamp is added
to the signal, being placed in the place (d) left on the disks for that purpose,
as before stated, and if required that the light should be visible both ways at
the same time, then in the aperture (E) to be cut out of one of the disks.
This means of communication by signal may be adapted to many other useful
purposes in railway management, as well as in other situations where speedy
and certain communication is required.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Barber Haxby, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
'
JOS BARBER HAXBY. (L.S.),

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twelfth day of August, in the
year of our Lord 1848, the aforesaid Joseph Barber Haxby came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twelfth day of August, in the
year of our Lord 1848, the aforesaid Joseph Barber Haxby came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Sixteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.