Improvements in Railway Signalling Apparatus for Single Line Working.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Nov., 1893.
Complete Specification Left, 1st Aug., 1891-Accepted, 22nd Sept., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Signalling Apparatus for Single Line
Working.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT SYKES, Senior, of 9 Vernon Road, High Street, Clapham,
in the County of Surrey, Signal and Telegraph Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention is intended as an addition to and in combination with either the
well known Tyer's Train Tablet system, or in connection with F. W. Webb and
A. M. Thompson's Staff system.
In the present state of the art either of these inventions allow that, supposing
three sections A, B, C, when B has given sanction to A to send a train from A
to B. A withdraws his staff (if it is the Webb & Thompson system) or a ticket' if
it is Tyer's system, and the driver proceeds to the next section B. If the driver
should ignore the starting signal at B in the direction' of C, or even'supposing the
starting signal should be lowered by authority of the "B" signalman, he may'
proceed to the next' section, either without a tablet or with the A tablet.
Briefly, there is no interlocking of the sectional signals in either of the previously
referred to systems, with the visible authority, that is to say the staff or ticket.
With my invention all starting signals are normally locked.
I practically combine my well known Lock & Block system (see description'in
Specification No. 1907 of 1880) with either of the systems referred to, the result
being that, A having received sanction to send a train to B, A withdraws the
ticket or the staff and gives it to the driver, and' the action of withdrawing it
releases tlie starting signal at A. in the direction of B.
It is understood by 'the previous description that the starting signal at B in the
direction of A being normally locked' cannot be released unless A has given
sanction, and therefore a conflicting signal cannot be sent from B in the
direction of A.
'
When the train arrives at B it is not material as to whether the tablet' or ticket
received from A is inserted in the proper instrument, because a train cannot be
sent from B to C unless C has previously given the same sanction to B as B gave
to A, and, supposing that the wrong tablet was given to a driver from B.to C no
harm could happen because for the starting signal to be lowered he must have
received' the sanction from C and C having given sanction locks his own starting
signal in the direction of B, tliereby preventing a conflicting signal from C in the
direction of B. Moreover, if B does not insert in the A-B' instrument the tablet or
staff received from A, the various instruments' become locked' up until such time as
the proper working is conformed with.
The working of the respective stop signals is necessary before sanction can'be'
given to the rear section: The stop signals' cannot be operated a second time
unless the respective starting signals have been worked over 'and'replaced, and the
starting signals cannot be operated in their turn unless sanction is given by the
section in advance, for example, before B can give sanction to A, B must pull his
stop signal from A direction over, allowing a train from A to proceed into his (B's)
section. The stop signal, of course, remains off only for such time as it has been
used by the train on its passage by it. When the train has passed by B's stop
signal it is put back to its normal position and locked in that position on its return
stroke, until the starting signal in the direction of C has been operated and put to
"danger," for which permission must be given by C before B's starting signal can
be operated at all.

page_text: The way in which I carry out my invention is as follows:-For the purposes
of description I will take an ordinary Tyer's Train Tablet instrument, No. 3.
pattern -
The usual warning signals by bell are given, say from A to B, and acknowledged
by B to A. The next operation consists of A asking, by the usual Train Tablet
system of 5 bells, for permission for the withdrawal of his tablet. As described,
B as an initial movement pulls over his stop signal lever from A to B and then
acknowledges the train tablet signal by 5 bells. A, as is usual at present with the
Train Tablet system, holds his plunger for the required number of seconds,
presumably 5, during which action B lifts the side lever at his instrument which
had become mechanically unlocked by the operation of B's stop signal lever, and
the action of A bolding his plunger in allows B, in conjunction-with the pulling of
bis lever, to withdraw the slide in the Tyer invention empty and unlock his
commutator B then turns his commutator to "out" and by pressing the plunger
and sending a current for 5 seconds to A allows A to withdraw his slide full. In
the action of withdrawing the slide at A, A's starting signal is thereby released
enabling the train to proceed to B. On the return stroke of A's starting signal
lever it becomes locked and A cannot operate it a second time. The starting
signal can only be operated once and each operation depends upon the complete
withdrawal of the tablet and each withdrawal of the tablet in its turn depends upon
sanction from the section in advance.
The current from B which releases the full slide at A (Tyer's instrument), is
picked up at a given point in withdrawal of the slide and goes to the Sykes
instrument thereby operating that instrument and releasing the starting signal.
The action of the side lever (on the Tyer instrument at B), which has been
previously released by a connection at its side by crank and any form of tappet or
ordinary release by the action of the stop signal lever at B being pulled over, in
conjunction with the sanction from A and the operation of the said lever, allows
the empty slide (at B) to be withdrawn ready for the reception of the A tablet
when it arrives at B.
Ordinary interlocking takes place between the said lever at the side of the Tyer
instrument and the operating levers of the signals, to the extent that if either of
the starting signals are operated correspondingly the side lever is locked and the
action of the stop signal releases the action of the side lever. This is effected by
any ordinary interlocking system by means of the connection of the Tyer lever to
the locking trough or wherever the interlocking takes place.
In the Webb & Thompson instrument, the staff is moved upwards along a
vertical slot and is then moved through the quadrant to the left. The movement
of the staff through the quadrant engages with the ratchet wheel and commutator
in the outward direction, and turns it one point, according to the number of keys,
or words, or rings on the staff. The action of the commutator, by the movement of
the staff, sends a current to the Sykes instrument, which as before described in
reference to Tyer's instrument, operates the instrument and releases the starting
signal. The insertion of the staff in the next section, in passing the toothed wheel
effects no operation, thereby not affecting the instrument.
The reverse operation takes place in regard to the equivalent of the side lever in
the Tyer instrument, the result being that attached to the starting signal lever
would be the usual connection which would go to the Webb & Thompson
instrument and prevent the withdrawal of the staff.
Dated this 1st day of November 1893.
JOHN P. O'DONNELL,
70 and 71, Palace Chambers, Westminster, S. W.,
Agent for the said Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Railway Signalling Apparatus for Single Line
Working.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT SYKES, Senior, of 9 Vernon Road, High Street, Clapham,
in the County of Surrey, Signal and Telegraph Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention is intended as an addition to and to be worked in combination with
either the well known Tyer's Train Tablet system, or with F. W. Webb and
A. M. Thompson's Electric Train Staff system for single lines of railway.
In the present state of the art either of these inventions allows that, supposing
three sections A, B, C, (single line of railway), when B has given sanction to A
to send a train from A to B, A withdraws his staff (if it is the Webb
Thompson system) or a tablet if it is Tyer's system, and the driver proceeds to
the next section B. If the driver should ignore the starting signal at B in the
direction of C, or even supposing the starting signal is lowered by authority of
the "B"sigualman, he may proceed to the next section (C) either without a
tablet or with the A tablet, & similarly without a staff or with the A staff.
.
Briefly, there is no interlocking of the sectional signals in either of the
previously referred to systems with the visual authority, that is to say the staff or
tablet.
With my invention all starting signals are normally locked.
I practically combine my well known Lock & Block system (see description in
Specification No. 1907 of 1880) with either of the systems referred to, the result
being that, A, having received sanction to send a train to B, A withdraws the
tablet or the staff and gives it to the driver, and the action of withdrawing either
of them releases the starting signal at A in the direction of B.
It is understood by the previous description that the starting signal at B in the
direction of A being normally locked cannot be released unless A has given
sanction, and therefore a conflicting signal cannot be sent from B-in the direction
of A if A. has previously withdrawn a staff or tablet.
When the train arrives at B it is not material as to whether the tablet or staff
received from A is inserted in the proper instrument, because a train cannot be
sent from B to unless C has previously given the same sanction to B that B
gave to A, and, supposing that the wrong tablet or staff was given to a driver
from B to C no harm could happen because for the starting signal to be lowered
B must have received sanction from C and C having given sanction locks his own
starting signal in the direction of B, thereby preventing a conflicting signal from
C in the direction of B. Moreover, if B does not insert in the A--B instrument
the tablet or staff received from A, the various instruments become locked up
until such time as the proper working is conformed with.
The working of the respective stop signals is necessary before sanction can be
given to the rear section. The stop signals cannot be operated a second time
unless the respective starting signals have been worked over and replaced, and the
starting signals cannot be operated in their turn unless sanction is given by the
section in advance, for example, before B can give sanction to A, B must pull
his stop signal from A direction over giving sanction for a train from A to
proceed into his (B's) section. The stop signal, of course, remains at "safety
until the train passes it, when it should be replaced to "danger."
77
When B's stop signal has been returned to its normal position it is locked in
that position (on its return stroke) until B's starting signal in the direction of C
has been operated and put to "danger," for which, (starting signal to be lowered)
permission must be given by C.

page_text: The way in which I carry out my invention is as follows:-
I will first describe it in combination with Tyer's Train Tablet instrument.
(See Specification of Letters Patent No 2798 of 1892.)
The usual warning signals by bell are given, say from A to B, and acknowledged
by B to A. The next operation consists of A asking, by the usual Train Tablet
system of 5 bells, for permission for the withdrawal of his tablet. B as an
initial movement pulls over his stop signal lever from (direction) A to B and then
acknowledges the train tablet signal by 5 bells. A, as is usual,at present with
the Train Tablet system, holds his plunger for the required number of seconds,
presumably 5, during which action B lifts,the side lever at his instrument which
had become mechanically unlocked by the operation of B's stop-signal-lever, and
the action of A holding-his-plunger in allws B, in conjunction with the pulling of
his lever, to withdraw the slide in the Tyer instrument empty and also unlocks his
commutator; B then turns his commutator to "out" and by pressing the plunger
and sending a current for 5 seconds to A allows A to withdraw his slide full. In
the action of withdrawing the slide at A, A's starting signal is thereby released
enabling the signalman to lower it for the train to proceed to B. On the return
stroke of A's starting signal lever it becomes locked and A cannot operate it a
second time without sanction from B. Each operation of the starting signal
depends upon the complete withdrawal of the tablet and each withdrawal of the
tablet in its turn depends upon sanction from the section in advance.
The current from B which releases the full slide at A (Tyer's instrument), is
picked up at a given point in withdrawal of the slide and goes to the Sykes
instrument thereby operating that instrument and releasing the starting signal lever.
The action of the side lever (on the Tyer instrument at B), which has been
previously released by a connection at its side by crank and any form of tappet or
ordinary release by the action of the stop signal lever at B being pulled over, in
conjunction with the sanction from A and the operation of the said lever, allows
the empty slide (at B) to be withdrawn ready for the reception of the A tablet
when it arrives at B.
Ordinary interlocking takes place between the said lever at the side of the Tyer
instrument and the operating levers of the signals, to the extent that if either of
the starting signals are operated correspondingly the side lever is locked and the
action of the stop signal releases the action of the side lever. This is effected by
any ordinary interlocking system by means of the connection of the Tyer lever to
the locking trough or wherever the interlocking takes place.
I will now briefly describe the action of my invention in combination with the
Webb & Thompson train staff instrument.
In the 'Webb & Thompson instrument (see Specification of Letters Patent
No. 1263 of 1889), the staff is moved upwards through a vertical slot and is then
moved through the quadrant to the left. The movement of the staff through
the quadrant in the act of withdrawal engages with a pawl, operates the
latter and forcing a lever or arm fulcrumed with it to make electrical connec-
tion to the Sykes instrument, releasing the starting signal lever in a similar manner
to that described in reference to the Tyer combination.
The insertion of the staff in the next section, in passing the said pawl, does not
operate the lever fulcrumed with it and therefore electrical connection is not made.
The reverse operation takes place in regard to the equivalent of the side lever in
the Tyer instrument, the result being that attached to the starting signal lever
would be the usual connection which would go to the Webb & Thompson instrument
and as long as the starting signal is at "safety" a staff cannot be withdrawn.
In order that my invention may be better understood and more readily carried
into effect I will describe. the drawings hereunto annexed, in which the same
numbers refer to the same parts in the several figures.
Figure is a diagram of a single line railway illustrating three sections A, B
and C. The various signals wecessary to the correct understanding of my invention

page_text: are shown, that is to say, stop and starting signals in both directions for each
section.
In section A, 1 is the stop signal for down direction, 2 starting signal for down
direction, 3 starting signal for up direction, 4 stop signal for up direction; in
section B, 5 is the stop signal for down direction, 6 starting signal for down
direction, 7 starting signal for up direction, 8 stop signal for up direction,
signals 5, 6,-7 & 8 referring to B section. In section C, 9 is the stop signal for
down direction, 10 starting signal for down direction, 11 starting signal up direction,
12 stop signal up direction, signals 9, 10, 11 & 12 referring to section C.
For the purposes of explanation I will refer to working traffic with my invention
from the middle section B in either direction, with reference to A. for sanction to
send a train and again from C for B to send a train, similar to the description in
the preamble.
Figure 2 is intended to represent a front view of the Tyer instrument.
Figure 3 is a side view partly in section of the "Sykes" instrument. The lower
portion of this figure illustrates a side view partly in section of the starting
signal lever and the means of release by downright rod from the said instrument
to the tappet operated by the said lever.
Figure 4 illustrates, at different levels, the stop and starting signal levers in
their normal position, say at section B. These would be levers 5 and 6.
Figure 5 illustrates the same levers as illustrated in Figure 4, the stop signal
lever 5 in its worked position and the starting signal lever 6 in the normal
position.
Figure 6 illustrates the stop signal in its returned position, normal, and the
starting signal in its worked position.
Figures 4, 5, and 6 in addition to showing the levers are principally intended to
illustrate the means of releasing and locking the said levers, the stop signal
releasing the starting signal mechanically and the starting signal being released
electrically from the section in advance through the "Sykes" instrument operating
in connection with it.
Figure 7 illustrates the electrical connections of the "Tyer" instrument, the
upper portion being in elevation in the "Tyer" instrument, the lower coils being
below for interlocking the slide containing the "Tyer" train tablet.
13 is the side lever attached to the "Tyer" instrument, 14 are the connections
from the said lever terminating in a bolt, 15 is the interlocking tappet attached to
the stop signal lever, say 5, 16 is the handle projecting through the hole of the
slide in the "Tyer" instrument, 17 is a rocking shaft one arm of which is connected
to the handle 16 and the other arm 18 connected to a cam 19 operating in con-
nection with the tappet 20 on the starting signal lever, say 6. 21 is a connection
to the arm 18 of the rocking shaft 17 and its other end is connected to a crank on
a switch 22. 23, 24 are the contact pieces in connection with the said switch.
25 is the "Sykes" instrument, 26 are downright connections to the lower part of
the "Sykes" gear.
For a description of the working of Figure 3 see Specification of Letters Patent
granted to me, No. 1907 of A.D. 1880.
27 is a box containing a click gear by which the stop signal is locked on its
return stroke and can only be released by the forward and return movement of the
respective starting signal lever. 28 is a weighted click fulcrumed at 29, 30 are the
connections from the said box terminating in a cross bar 31 operating a lock 32 in
connection with the tappet 33 of the stop signal 5, 34 is a cam, 35 is a loose arm
fulcrumed at 36. On the cam being moved by lever 5 the friction roller moves
arm 35 round till the stop 38 forces it to raise the roller 39 and rod 40 upwards.
37 is the stop on the other side of the cam. The said cam 34 is connected to the
stop signal lever 5 by means of a rod as shown, 40 is the interlocking connection
from the box 27 to the starting signal lever 6. The cam, cross bar, friction roller
and interlocking in the box in their operation are similar to that described with
reference to lower portion of Figure 3. 41 is a notch in the tappet 33, 42 is the

page_text: cominutator of the "Tyer" instrument, Figure 7. The permanent magnet 43 is
the same as illustrated in Figure 3. The switch connection in Figure 7 is the
same as switch 22 of Figure 2. 44, 45 are wires from the "Tyer" instrument
connected to contact makers 23, 24 operating in connection with the switch 22 of
my invention as illustrated in Figure 2.
With reference to Figure 8, 46 is an upright connection from the cam on the
starting signal lever 6 working a crank 47 and terminating in the slide 48,
-49, 50 and 51 are contact makers normally joining the "Tyer" with the "Sykes"
instruments. 52, 53, 54 are contact makers which when the slide 48 is moved by
means of the starting signal lever 6 being pulled over would make contact placing
the treadle-55-in-connection with the "Sykes" instruments. 56 is the wire leading
from the contacts 52, 53, 54 to the treadle. The treadle is one of any of the known
systems of electric treadle operated by the wheels of a locomotive or vehicle
depressing the rail. 44, 45 are the same wires illustrated in Figure 7 of the
"Tyer" instrument.
1 will now describe my invention with reference to the Webb & Thompson
instrument.
With reference to Figure 9, 57 is the upper portion of the Webb & Thompson
instrument as illustrated and described in the Specification of Letters Patent
granted to Francis William Webb and Arthur Moore Thompson, No. 1263,
dated January 23rd 1889. 58 is their disc, 59 is intended to illustrate a staff,
60, 61, 62, 63 are pins in the disc 58, 64 is a cross bar fulcrumed at 65, & fulcrumed
behind it is a single arm 67. 66 is a rod connection from the downright rod 26 of
the "Sykes" instrument, 67" is a stop preventing the lever, 67 fulcrumed at 65
from moving beyond the said stop, 68 is an electrical contact, 69 is a bolt connected
to crank 70 which is operated by the starting signal lever 6.
71 is a local battery,
72 are wires from the battery connecting the permanent magnet 43 of the "Sykes"
instrument to the instrument 57 as a return; it is obvious that any form of
connection to the instrument may be used as this is only a return wire.
wire for the circuit from the permanent magnet 43 to the contact 68, in the
instrument 57.
73 is the
In
Briefly, the action of my invention is as follows:-A is powerless to withdraw a
tablet from the "Tyer" instrument unless B has given sanction by withdrawing
his slide empty; this is as usual with this type of the "Tyer" instrument.
order that B may withdraw his slide empty B's stop signal 5 must be pulled over
a short distance; this is necessary to prove that the starting signal 7, Figure 1
section B, is at "danger." This is ordinary interlocking and is usual at every
single line station. The act of moving the stop signal lever 5 partially over places
the hole in the tappet 15, Figure 2, ready for the insertion of the bolt terminating
the connection 14 from the handle 13 of the "Tyer" instrument, the handle 13 is
.now free to be moved which upon being momentarily moved enables the slide to be
withdrawn, by permission of A, from the "Tyer" instrument. On B withdrawing
the empty slide and moving his commutator and then plunging A is free to
withdraw his slide full; in the act of withdrawing the said slide at A the rocking
shaft 17, arm 18 and cam 19 are moved to the extent that the notch in the cam 19
is placed in position to free the tappet 20 attached to the starting signal lever, in
this case it would be starting signal 2 of section A. Although mechanically the
.starting signal lever is freed so far as the action of the withdrawal of the tablet is
concerned yet in the same action the connection 21 is operated when the rocking
.shaft 17 is moved, switch 22 operated and electrical connection made to the
Sykes" instrument, Figure 3, and dropping the downright connections 26 and
lifting the locking piece 74. The starting signal although shown as 6 in the
drawing would be 2 in the diagram, Figure 1. The tablet having now been
withdrawn and the starting signal lowered, the driver is free to proceed to
section B and having arrived there the driver cannot proceed by signal to C even
.although he may retain the A-B tablet because C must give the same sanction
and go through the same operations to B that B has previously done to A, that is
$6

page_text: to say, electrical sanction must be given in order that the starting signal 6 can be
lowered. On the stop signal 5 being placed at "danger" on entering the B section
it is locked in the norinal position and cannot be lowered a second time, as
described, until 6 has been worked over and replaced to "danger"; the starting
signal 6 in its turn cannot be lowered until C has given sanction as previously
described in connection with the operation of the "Tyer" instrument.
In operating the starting signal lever, reference being made to Figure 8, the
upright rod 46 is moved and the treadle 55 is switched into electrical connection
with the Sykes" instrument, wires 44 and 45 are short circuited cutting out the
"Tyer" instrument. Until the train has passed over the treadle the starting
signal lever 6 cannot be fully returned to norinal; when the train does depress the
Treadle the lever can be returned to the normal position as described in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to ine, No. 1907 of A.D. 1880.
The working of my invention in connection with the "Webb & Thompson'
instrument, reference being made to Figure 9, is as follows:--
.
33-
The figure illustrates the bolt 69 across the path of the staffs; this is when the
starting signal is in the "safety attitude. Assuming that the starting signal is in
the "danger" attitude and the bolt withdrawn, the staff, such as 59, is moved
upward into the notch in the disc 58, then in the direction of the arrow the disc
moving with it.
In moving the disc 58 to withdraw the staff the pin 63 operates
the cross bar 64 and lever 67 making contact at 68 to the "Sykes" instrument.
In inserting the staff and the disc 58 being operated in the reverse direction the
pin 63 being the left side of the cross bar simply operates the cross bar without
moving the lever 67, in this action the motion of the cross bar thrusts down the
downright rod which is connected to the downright connections 26 of the "Sykes
instrument resetting the instrument if it had been operated to release the starting
signal lever.
"
On the pulling over of the starting signal lever the bolt is thrust across the
path of the staffs, as illustrated in the figure, and no staffs can be put in or taken
out until the starting signal is put back to the normal "danger" position.
It is obvious that although I have shown the bolt across the path of the staff's in
the position illustrated in the figure yet in practice it would be better to fix it
across the disc 58 so that in reinserting a staff if the bolt was across the path the
staff could not be lowered into the vertical receptacle and lowered to the position
similar to staff' 59. This would also prevent two staffs from being raised at one
time above the bolt 69; generally, its effect would be that the operation of the
starting signal would be limited to the movement of the separate staffs.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be
distinctly understood that I do not claim any part of the invention set forth in
the Specification of Letters Patent granted to Edward Tyer, numbered 2798 and
dated February 12th 1892, nor do I claim any part of the invention set forth in
the Specification of Letters Patent granted to Francis William Webb & Arthur
Moore Thompson, numbered 1263 and dated January 23rd 1889, but what I do
claim is :-
1. In a block system for single line working of railways, the combination of a
tablet instrument known as the "Tyer," described in the Specification of Letters
Patent granted to Edward Tyer, No. 2798, dated February 12th 1892, with the
"Sykes" instruments as described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted
to me, numbered 1907 of A.D. 1880, whereby the starting signal is normally
locked and can only be released, firstly, by sauction from the cabin at the other
end of the section and, secondly, the complete withdrawal of the tablet, substantially
as described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In block systems for single lines of railway, the combination of the Webb &
Thompson electric train staff instrument as illustrated and described in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to Francis William Webb and Arthur

page_text: Moore Thompson, numbered 1263, dated January 23rd 1889, with the "Sykes
instrument as illustrated and described in the Specification of Letters Patent
granted to me,, numbered 1907 of A.D. 1880, whereby the starting signal is
normally locked and can only be, released by sanction from the cabin at the other
end of the section and the complete withdrawal of the staff, substantially as
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. In single line working on railways; either by the Train Staff system or the
Train Tablet system, apparatus whereby the starting signal can only be lowered to
the "safety" attitude after the staff or tablet has been withdrawn, substantially as
described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this First day of August 1894.
JOHN P. O'DONNELL,
70 and 71, Palace Chambers; Westminster, S. W.,
Agent for the said Applicant.
JOHN P. O'DONNELL,
70 and 71, Palace Chambers; Westminster, S.W.,
Agent for the said Applicant.