An Improved System of Electrical or other Signalling between Signal Cabin and Driver and Guard in Charge of Railway Trains in Motion or otherwise, and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Feb., 1888
Complete Left, 28th Mar., 1888
Complete Accepted, 11th May, 1888
An Improved System of Electrical or other Signalling between
Signal Cabin and Driver and Guard in Charge of Railway
Trains in Motion or otherwise, and Apparatus therefor.
JOHN ORME of 65 Barbican in the city of London, Scientific Apparatus Manufac-
turer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
--
The chief object of this invention is first to enable railway trains to be electrically
controlled from a terminal office, or it can in the second place be employed for local
purposes during fogs, in substitution of, or as an auxiliary to the existing block
system.
The Invention consists of the following apparatus.
1st. A sending and receiving instrument separate or combined, fixed upon the
engine, or in the guard's van, or both.
2nd. A metallic brush, spring, wheel, or equivalent device attached to engine or
guards van or both; for the purpose of conveying the current from the conductor to
the instruments fixed on the moving train as aforesaid.
3rd. A metallic rod, wire, miniature rail, or other suitable conductor insulated, and
extending along the rail track, part, or parts of the same.
4th. A sending and receiving device by means of which the regulating signal may be
sent from the local cabin, or by the fog signalman in charge of the semaphore over
the section controlled by it, or automatically from the semaphore itself, or from the
engine or guards van to the nearest cabin.
5th. This system may also be employed for Telephonic communication, the sending
and receiving device described being replaced or supplemented with telephonic
apparatus.
6th. If applied to the whole line of rails in sections, communication may be made
with or through any section, but occurs automatically, or such sections as are within
stopping distances of the ordinary semaphores, so that the train may be blocked until
it receives the signal to proceed.
7th. It will be obvious from the foregoing that any train can be made to per-
manently record its progress, and the time at which it passed any junction or other
signal cabin, a revolving drum driven by clockwork which may be controlled

page_text: electrically or not, being provided and the usual electrolytic or other means being
employed for marking same.
The operation of my invention is as follows:-
At terininal stations the clerk in charge of cabin controlling semaphores and points
can convey to driver the fact that line is clear, and give the starting signal.
By depressing a key, or its equivalent, a current is sent through his own dial, along
the insulated rail, rod, wire, or other conductor through moveable brush or other
contact to engine foot plate, or guards van, or both, throwing over the needle or
equivalent device upon the dial or dials, and returning by rails, and earth to sending
point. Upon the driver passing out of the section, he can in clear weather raise the
brush & break the circuit: but at any point upon the line he can by lowering the
same into contact, at once determine the position of the next semaphore ahead.
In the event of the wire operating distant semaphore breaking, the arm is arranged
to shew line blocked. I utilize this in the following way. An electrical contact point
is fixed in the usual manner upon said arm, this contact being connected by wire to
the insulated rail. Upon the driver entering the section, the needle upon his own and
the guard's dial at once shew line blocked.
Means are provided by which upon the train entering the section, the circuit with
the local cabin is completed, and the fact of the signal having failed to act is thereby
communicated to the signal man. A battery and commutator, or equivalent device, is
placed in the guards van, so that in the event of any mishap to the train upon a long
section the guard can reverse the position of the index in the nearest cabin, thereby.
informing the signalman that a train is delayed upon his section, and so acting as an
auxiliary check. It follows that both driver, guard and signalman are independently
of weather informed on the one hand of the position of the signal, and on the other of
the position of the train.
The fog signalman can if he thinks fit, interrupt the automatic signal from
semaphore, or use it as an auxiliary to the detonator.
Means are also provided by which the ordinary semaphore can be made to mechani-
cally operate the train signal.
In this case a lever is arranged so as to act as a trip. Upon the engine passing a
predetermined. point, a corresponding trip mounted upon it, is brought into contact
with that outside or between the rails, a small semaphore mounted in some conspicuous
place upon engine is thereby caused to indicate the position of the main signal.
ated Fabory 16th 1988

page_text: An Improved System of Electrical or other Signalling between
Signal Cabin and Driver and Guard in Charge of Railway
Trains in Motion or otherwise, and Apparatus therefor.
JOHN ORME, 65 Barbican in the city of London Scientific Apparatus Manufacturer,
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:-
The chief object of this invention is first to enable railway trains to be electrically
controlled from a terminal office; or it can in the second place, be employed for local
purposes, during fogs, in substitution of or as an auxiliary to the existing block
system.
The Invention consists of the following apparatus.
1st. A sending and receiving instrument separate or combined, fixod upon the
engine, or in the guards van, or both.
2nd. A metallic brush, spring wheel, or equivalent device attached to engine, or
guards van or both; for the purpose of conveying the current from the conductor to
the instruments fixed on the moving train as aforesaid.
3rd. A metallic rod, wire, miniature rail, or other suitable conductor insulated, and
extending along the rail track, part, or parts of the same.
4th. A sending and receiving device by means of which the regulating signal may
be sent from the local cabin or by the fog signalman in charge of the semaphore over
the section controlled by it, or automatically from the semaphore itself, or from the
engine or guards van to the nearest cabin.
5th. This system may also be employed for telephonic communication, the sending
and receiving device described being replaced or supplemented with telephonic
apparatus.
'
6th. If applied to the whole line of rails in sections, communication may be made
with, or through any section; but occurs automatically on such sections as are within
stopping distances of the ordinary semaphores; so that the train may be blocked until
it receives the signal to proceed.
7th. It will be obvious from the foregoing that any train can be made to permanently
record its progress, and the time at which it passed any junction or other signal cabin,
a revolving drum driven by clockwork which may be controlled electrically or not,
being provided, and the usual electrolytic or other means being employed for marking
same.
The operation of my invention is as follows:-At terminal stations the clerk in
charge of cabin controlling semaphores and points can convey to driver the fact that
line is clear, and give the starting signal.
By depressing a key, or its equivalent a current is sent through his own dial, along
the insulated rail, rod, wire or other conductor, through moveable brush or other

page_text: contact to engine foot plate, or guards van, or both, throwing over the needle or
equivalent device upon the dial, or dials, and returning by rails, and earth to sending
point.
Upon the driver passing out of the section he can in clear weather raise the brush,
and break the circuit: but at any point upon the line he can by lowering the same
into contact at once determine the position of the next semaphore ahead.
In the event of wire operating distant semaphore breaking, the arm is arranged to
shew line blocked. I utilize this in the following way: An electrical contact point is
fixed in the usual manner upon said arm, this contact being connected by wire to the
insulated rail. Upon the driver entering the section, the needle upon
his own,
and the
guards dial, at once shew line blocked. Means are provided by which upon the train
entering the section, the circuit with the local cabin is completed, and the fact of the
signal having failed to act is thereby communicated to the signalman ; a battery and
commutator or equivalent device, is placed in the guards van, so that in the event of
any mishap to the train upon a long section, the guard can reverse the position of
the index in the nearest cabin, thereby informing the signalman that a train is delayed
upon his section, and so acting as an auxiliary check.
It follows that both driver, guard, and signalman are independently of weather
informed on the one hand of the position of the signal, and on the other of the position
of the train.
The fog signalman can if he thinks fit, interrupt the automatic signal from the
semaphore, or use it as an auxiliary to the detonator.
Means are also provided by which the ordinary semaphore can be made to
mechanically operate the train signal. In this case a lever is arranged so as to act as
a trip. Upon the engine passing a predetermined point, a corresponding trip mounted
upon it is brought into contact with that outside or between the rails, a small semaphore
mounted in some conspicuous place upon engine is thereby caused to indicate the
position of the main signal.
In order to enable my invention to be better understood reference is made to the
accompanying drawing, in which :-
Fig. 1, is a side elevation shewing Locomotive fitted with moveable contact, the
track provided with insulated mid rail, and the signal cabin with electrical connections
to and from the indicator.
Fig. 2, is an enlarged front end view of locomotive, and cross section of Rail or
Tramway track, shewing moveable contact, insulated rail and electrical connections.
Fig. 3, Is a front and side elevation to enlarged scale of electrical contact shewing
detail of same.
Fig. 4, Is a front view of indicator dial, the coils being shewn in dotted lines.
Fig. 5, Is a side view of indicator dial and coils.
Fig. 6, Is a plan of commutator with locking hooks.
Fig. 7. Is an elevation of locking hook, & spring or pins.
Fig. 8. The battery, with connections to the various forms of apparatus described
under Figs. 4 & 6.
Fig. 9, A modified form of indicator suitable for single or reverse currents.
Fig. 10, A side elevation of Semaphore having commutator attached, local battery,
and detail of electrical connections.
Fig 11, A side elevation of locomotive, rail or tramway track, and local cabin fitted
with recorder.
Fig. 12, Elevation shewing detail of recorder.
Fig. 13. Elevation shewing semaphore fitted with mechanical arrangement for
operating indicator on locomotive.
Fig. 14. Side and end view of locomotive shewing arrangement of levers &c. operating
engine indicator.
Fig. 15. Detail of inlicator upon engine.
Fig. 16, Switches for connecting sections.
Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts in all the various views.
The operation of my invention is as follows:-At a terminal station the clerk in

page_text: charge will depress the pedal o¹ upon commutator see Fig. 6, thereby a current will
pass through his own indicator (See Fig. 1. also) and by means of connecting wire c,
to insulated rail, wire, or strip 6, thence through contact D, engine indicator d, or
guards, or both as the case may be, the external needles upon each indicator being
thereby deflected to the left. This, being the prearranged signal to driver that the
line is clear, he will draw out his train past the distant semaphore N, at, or about
which point the mid rail ceases; thereby the station siding is left clear for another
train. He now proceeds upon the track until the first distant semaphore, or its
equivalent, controlling the section is reached, when the moveable spring contact D,
again encounters the mid rail b, or its equivalent, if the line be clear his needle still
points in the same direction as at first, but should the signal be against him its position
is reversed; and he is thus independently of weather or light advised of the position
of the semaphore in advance, and since the signalman has no line until connection is
made with the contact I) upon engine, and the insulated mid rail or equivalent b, he is
himself advised of the entrance of a train upon his section. I prefer to introduce a
single stroke bell as at w. upon both engine and cabin indicator, so that an audible
signal may be given to both driver and signal man upon the completion of the circuit.
I also provide a small battery x, upon both engine, and guards van, so that in the
event of a break down, communication can be made with the nearest local cabin.
Commutators. or a key, similar to those shewn in Fig. 6 are provided, but they are
not fitted with the locking device, and hence neither driver or guard can reverse
permanently a signal sent from the cabin controlling the section. The form of
reversing indicator employed in the preceeding description is that shewn in enlarged
detail in Figs. 4 and 5. K, is the dial furnished with stops 11, between which vibrate
an exterior needle u', this dial can be marked or painted with any prearranged device
such as "clear" "blocked," or it may be left quite plain, the deflections to right or
left being understood to convey these words or their equivalent. Within the coil m,
is pivoted a small magnetic needle n, the coil being fitted with wire in the manner
well understood. When the form of indicating device shewn in Fig. 9. is employed,
the miniature, arm, n" replaces the exterior needle n¹, reverse currents can also be
employed with this arrangement; for since the curved needle n is magnetized its
relative direction will be governed by the polarity of the electromagnet core v. The
commutator see Fig. 6, consists of two metal strips o, o', which are connected to
terminals ppl, both these strips when out of action rest against the bridge q, which is
connected as shewn to terminal p" the carbon or copper plate of battery is connected
to p, the lower plate r, being connected to terminal p¹¹, and the zinc to p11, a wire
is connected from terminal p. to the leading in wire upon coil m, Figs. 4 & 5 which is
so wound as that the needle shall deflect to the left, when the coil is traversed by a
current in this direction, the other end of wire upon coil m, is conducted to insulated
rail 6, and the terminal p¹ is connected to earth. Two pins or hooks y y, are provided
upon commutator and serve to keep the current upon line, by depressing the
pedals o or o', as the case may be so that they make contact with the plate » See
Figs. 6 & 7.
Fig. 3, shews enlarged detail of the moveable contact D, this consists of a frame
which is preferably bolted to engine beam, within said frame is a fork and rod h,
carrying a roller i, this roller can be replaced by a brush, spring, or equivalent device
for insuring good metallic contact with the rail b, round the fork and rod h, is wound
a spring s, which presses upon a plate u, and ensures good contact with the rail b, the
upper part of the fork h, is preferably formed into a ring through which a rope
or wire R, passes; by means of this the driver can pull the moveable contact off the
rail and break the electrical connection therewith.
The insulated rail b, see Figs. 2 & 3 is shewn mounted in a chair a, this chair may
consist of hard rubber or any equivalent good insulating material, or the rail may be
fastened to a wooden or other insulating sleeper direct without the intervention of a.
chair, or the insulated rail can be replaced by a wire or rod mounted in suitable chair
or other support. I prefer however to employ the method shewn.
Fig. 10. shews an arrangement wherby the semaphore is made to send the electrical.

page_text: signal to line, so that in the event of the controlling wire breaking the driver is
instantly advised by the signal arm going to danger; the means whereby I accomplish
this is as follows:-N is the semaphore, upon the pivot b' upon which the arın 7 turns,
I mount an electrical contact, or a commutator similar to that described and shewn in
Fig. 6. In the drawing a commutator is shewn, in order that the method of sending
reverse currents may be clearly understood. The arm n is in the position indicating
line clear, and the cabin indicator is included in the circuit, the needles upon it and the
engine indicator d, being deflected to the left. Wires are led from the plus, and minus
poles of the local battery a, to the two strips o, o¹, and the connection to earth E, and
mid rail b, are made to the three contacts p p p. When the arm n" is raised by
the signalman in the usual manner a current is sent in a reverse direction by the
commutator mounted thereon, and the position of the needle upon engine indicator and
that in the signal cabin (when included in the circuit) is reversed, or in the case of the
form of indicator described and shewn in Fig. 9. the arm n¹¹ is raised. A similar action
takes place should the wire operating the signal arm break accidentally, as the counter-
balance K, will cause the arm to fly up and reverse the signal upon one or both
indicators as the case may be. The modification shewn in Fig. 9, can be worked with a
simple rubbing contact, and current of one direction if desired, and by means of the
switch Z, the circuit can be broken by a fog signalman or other official.
Fig. 11. shews a section of rail or tramway track fitted with recording device, and
Fig. 12 enlarged detail of same. In this case the cabin indicator is replaced by a
recording drum d¹, driven by clockwork which can be electrically controlled or not as
required. A piece of suitably prepared paper is mounted upon the drum d', against
which presses a platinum contact 71, mounted on spring e¹, line and earth connections
are made to the spring and drum, and upon a train entering the section, contact is
established with the mid rail b, and a mark is made upon the revolving drum d'.
A small set screw g¹ is provided at the foot of drum spindle n', so that a fresh record
may be taken of subsequent trains by raising the drum if desired. The chemical device
now described may be replaced by a plain style or pencil operating by means of
an electro magnet in the manner well understood.
Figs. 13. 14. 15 shew my improved arrangement for mechanically advising driver or
guard of the position of the semaphore arm in advance. N, Fig. 13, is the semaphore
fitted with the usual bell crank levers, and counter-balance K, attached to this, is a
rod, and crank K, a horizontal rod 1, is conducted preferably over rollers to the
crank K, which is coupled up by means of horizontal rod 1111, running over rollers
to one of the pivoted links o", forming part of the trip m¹. This trip consists of a
light rail or rod n¹, pivoted by a series of links o", o¹ to a lower rail n¹i11, and free to
rise and fall in accordance with the position of semaphore arm n". A contact similar
in construction to that already described under Fig. 3 is attached preferably to buffer
beam of engine B or other part of train, and to the upper end I connect a light
crank K³, & wire p*, operating by means of pulleys a', the miniature semaphore N see
Fig. 15, upon engine or in van.
The operation of this part of my invention is as follows:-
When the arm 11, on semaphore is down shewing line clear, slight contact exists
between the mid rail trip m, and moveable contact D, so that warning may be given
the driver, either by partly raising the miniature semaphore arm non engine, or an
audible signal may be given. When however, the arm is in the danger position shewn
in Fig. 13, the mid rail trip m², is raised by the levers and rods, and by means of the
contact D, the miniature arm on engine assumes the same position. The rod, cranks
and levers &c. described, may be replaced by a wire and pulley if desired.
Means are provided for electrically coupling two sections of line, or for linking up
the whole line; in this case, and when so required, the intermediate earth plates are cut
out by a double plug or equivalent switch, see Fig. 16, and thus in case of break down
at a local signal cabin a train may be controlled from beyond it.
The indicating instruments upon both engine and guards van, may be replaced by
telephones, or similar telephonic instruments fitted with bells, being mounted in
terminal or local cabins, in the manner well understood.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would wish it understood that Í
nake no special claim to the particular form of indicators, commutators, mid rail strips
or wire by themselves; but I declare that what I claim is :-
1st. The particular system of electrical or other signalling between terminal or local,
signal cabins and the driver and guard, or driver only, in charge of railway trains in
motion or otherwise by means of the apparatus, and in the way and manner herein
described and set forth.
2nd. The combination of the insulated rail, wire or strip b, mounted in hard rubber
or equivalent chair a, upon rail or tramway sleepers or track, or fastened direct
to insulating sleeper, the connection therefrom by insulated wire c. to indicator d, in
cabin, the combination of the moveable contact D, with, and upon the locomotive or
other equivalent motor B, said contact making electrical connection between insulated
rail, wire or strip b, and indicator upon engine or other motor B, the earth connection
as described from indicator in cabin and on motor, all combined and operating
together for automatic or other signalling purposes in the manner herein described.
3rd. The particular form of electrical indicating devices described under Fig. 4. 5. 9.
and the combination therewith, of the form of commutator or key as the case may be,
fitted with locking pins or hooks Y Y, described and shewn under Figs. 6 and 7 for
the purpose of automatically or otherwise transmitting and receiving electrical signals
by means of the batteries .c, insulated rail, wire or strips b, contact D and connections,
as set forth and described.
4th. The combination with an insulated rail, wire or strip b, contact D, battery, line
and earth connections, of the recording device described under Figs. 11. 12. for
the purposes set forth.
5th. The combination of the commutator device mounted upon semaphore arm, the
local battery x, switch Z, and connections to line and earth operating through the
insulated rail b, contact D, and indicating device upon locomotive, guards van and cabin
for the purpose of automatically or otherwise conveying signals to guard or driver or
both, or only the local cabin. Substantially as set forth.
6th. The particular combination described and shewn in Figs. 13. 14. 15 the trip m²,
with links of, operated by rods and cranks or wire, for the purpose of mechanically
conveying a signal to driver, or driver and guard. Substantially as described and set
forth.
7th. The particular form of electrical contact D, consisting of a frame bolted to any
suitable part of motor or guards van or tramway carriage, fork and rod h, the springs,
the rolling contact i, mounted in fork h, or the substitution therefore of a brush, spring
or equivalent device for making good electrical connection, with the insulated rail or
equivalent b, as shewn and set forth.
8th. The combination with an insulated rail b, electrical contact D, earth and other
connections, of telephonic instruments replacing the indicators for the purpose of
speaking with terminal or other signal cabins.
9th. The method of connecting the sections described under Fig. 16. by means of
plug or equivalent switching device.
Dated March 28th 1888