AN IMPROVED SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS, IN PASSENGER TRAINS, LUGGAGE ## 1 WAREHOUSES, AND OTHER REQUIRED PLACES.”
Year: 1871

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LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Singleton, of Over Darwen, in the
County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED SYSTEM AND
APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS, IN PASSENGER TRAINS, LUGGAGE
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WAREHOUSES, AND OTHER REQUIRED PLACES.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Singleton at
'the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 7th December 1871.
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I,, THOMAS SINGLETON, of Over Darwen, in, the County of Lancaster,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for. "AN IMPROVED
SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS, IN PASSENGER TRAINS,
LUGGAGE WAREHOUSES, AND OTHER REQUIRED PLACES," to be as follows:-
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The first part of this Invention consists of improved modes of
signalling between railway stations and junctions, and also at any
intermediate parts of the lines.

page_text: For each double line of rails I place on the ground two lines of gas
pipes, one for supplying gas to the other which terminates at the chief
stations or other required place, and to this pipe at the stations,
junctions, and at any required intervals of distance along the line are
connected other pipes, which where there are no buildings can be
connected to telegraph posts or other standards, and these pipes are
provided with burners for giving jets of gas enclosed in glass cases
having a darkened side facing the advancing train, or in any required
position in the offices or buildings. Between the main pipes there are
cross pipes and taps at the stations, junctions, and at the intermediate
places required, and the pipes-to-which the-burners are connected can
communicate with, the, superintendent's and telegraph offices either at
the termini or at any part of the line.
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When there is no necessity of giving signals on account of the absence
of danger or fogs, the gas is slightly turned on so that the lights at the
stations, junctions, and those on the telegraph posts, will be below the
darkened sides of the cases enclosing the lights; but, if at a station,
junction, or other part of the railway one of the taps is full opened, all
the lights will be enlarged and rise above the darkened side so that they
can be easily seen, and thus give signals to the guard and engine driver
of the train, and also to the persons employed in the offices, and at the
same time an alarum can be put in motion or a detonating compound
used at the stations or other required place; and thus, if a train is due
at a station at a certain time, and from any cause there is a necessity to
delay the train, the gas is turned full on and the signals given, the
signalling taking place either before the train has started or when it has
travelled to any part of the line, and also if there is a stoppage of the
-train either from a breakdown or other cause the guard or engine driver
can by opening one of the taps give notice that a delay has occurred,
and by turning the tap backwards and forwards a certain number of
times so as to raise and depress the lights, it can be understood whether
the delay is only transient or whether the stoppage is such as to require
assistance from the stations or junctions..
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For preventing the lights from being entirely extinguished I use a tap
having a plug with a groove in its periphery extended to both ends of
the aperture, so that the supply of gas cannot be entirely shut off when,
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the apertures of the plug and harrel of the tan are closed and for

page_text: When an alarum is used there is a burner near a piece of cord which
keeps the alarum wound up, and when the gas is full on it burns the
cord and sets off the alarum, and if a detonating compound is used it is
ignited by the gas and gives a signal, and. these arrangements for
signalling can be applied to luggage' warehouses, docks, mills, and other
buildings or places.
The next part of this Invention relates to signalling between the
passengers, guard, and engine driver of the train:-I employ on the tops
of the carriages two gas pipes extending the entire length of the train,
and connected together by cross pipes and taps similar to those before
described; one of the pipes communicates with pipes and burners outside
the carriages, the pipes being encased in tubes having at the top square
glass cases or semaphores for enclosing the lights, and two sides of each
semaphore are of colored glass and the other two of plain glass. There
is a tap, tube, and burner for each carriage or for each compartment as
required, the taps and tubes being connected by cranks to arms on a rod
extending across the carriage, there being other arms on the rod one for
each passenger, and to these latter arms are attached pulling rods enclosed
in cases having racks inside corresponding with catches on the rods, and
to the lower ends of the rods are attached cords or chains provided with
handles or rings. The ends of one of the gas pipes communicate with
an alarum in the guard's van and with a small. whistle on the locomotive
or tender, the tap of the whistle being kept closed by a cord which can
be burnt and the tap afterwards opened by a spring.
When no signals are required the lights are in their lowest position,
and can be seen through the clear sides of the glass; but when a
passenger pulls one of the pulling rods all the lights are enlarged, and
the semaphore corresponding with the compartment or carriage where
the pull was given is turned to shew the light to the guard and driver,
the alarum and whistle being at the same time called into action, and
the rod which has been pulled to give the signal is held down by the
rack and catch, thereby indicating the one which has been pulled, and
which is afterwards placed in its working position by the guard.
Where gas is already used for lighting the compartments of the
carriages I place the cross pipes and taps between them, or I use the .

page_text: double pipes, cross pipes, and taps, independent of the ordinary gas pipes,
the gas being supplied from a separate reservoir in the guard's van™; but
in any case I use a tap with a grooved plug for preventing the lights
from being entirely extinguished.
Another part of this Invention consists in certain arrangements for..
signalling to the guard and engine driver of passenger and luggage
trains when any part of the train becomes uncoupled or disconnected
with its other part. From one end of the train to the other I stretch a
cord connected to levers, one in the guard's van or last carriage, and the
other on the tender, locomotive, or first carriage, so that if any
uncoupling or disconnecting of
he train should take place the cord.
before breaking would pull the levers and give signals by letting off an
alarum or striking a gong or bell in the guard's van, and cause a whistle
to be blown on the tender or locomotive..
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It will be seen that the foregoing description applies especially to
railways and railway trains, but it is evident that with slight alterations
these improved: modes of signalling can be efficiently employed in
luggage warehouses, docks, and other places.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Singleton in the Great Seal Patent Office-
on the 7th June 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
SINGLETON, of Over Darwen, in the County of Lancaster, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Thomas Singleton, Her special license that
I, the said Thomas Singleton, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said-Thomas Singleton, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times: hereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,

page_text: within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN IMPROVED SYSTEM AND.
APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS, IN PASSENGER TRAINS, LUGGAGE
WAREHOUSES, AND OTHER REQUIRED PLACES," upon the condition, amongst
others, that I, the said Thomas Singleton, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, should particularly 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 Thomas Singleton, 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, reference being had to the Figures on the accom-
panying three Sheets of Drawings and the letters of reference marked
thereon (that is to say) :—
First. In improved modes of signalning between ramway stations and
junctions, and also at any intermediate parts of the railway lines.
Secondly. In an improved mode of signalling between the passengers,
guard, and engine driver of railway trains.
And thirdly. In an improved arrangement for signalling to engine
driver of passenger and luggage trains when any part of the train
becomes uncoupled or disconnected with its other part.
For signalling between railway stations, and junctions, and also at
any intermediate parts of the lines, I use two lines of gas pipes for each
pair of rails, one line of pipes being for the supply and the other for the
delivery. Or I use three lines of pipes for two pairs of rails, one
line being for the supply and the others for the delivery. The
ends of the delivery pipes terminate at the chief stations or other
places, and to this pipe, at the stations, junctions, and at any required
intervals of distance along the line, are connected other pipes, which
when there are no buildings can be connected to telegraph posts or other
standards, and these pipes are provided with burners for giving jets of
ignited gas enclosed in glass cases having a darkened side facing the
advancing train, or placed in any other required position in the offices
or buildings. Between the main pipes there are cross pipes and taps at

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the stations, junctions, and at the intermediate places required, and the
pipes to which the burners are connected can communicate with the
superintendent's and telegraph offices either at the termini or at any part.
of the line. When there is no necessity of giving signals on account of
the absence of danger or fogs the gas is slightly turned on so that the
lights at the stations, junction, and those on the telegraph posts will be,
below the darkened sides of the cases enclosing the lights, but, if at a
station, junction; or other part of the railway one of the taps is full
opened, all the lights will be enlarged and rise above the darkened sides,
so that they can be easily seen, and thus give signals to the guard and
engine driver of the train and also to the persons employed in the offices,
and at the same time an alarum can be put in motion or a detonating
compound used at the stations or other required place, and thus if a
train is due at a station at a certain time, and from any cause there is a
necessity to delay the train, the gas is turned full on and the signals
given, the signalling taking place either before the train has started or
when it has travelled to any part of the line, and also if there is a
stoppage of the train either from a breakdown or other cause the guard
or engine driver can by opening one of the taps give notice that a delay
has occurred; and by turning the tap backwards, and forwards a certain
number of times so as to raise and depress the lights it can be understood
whether the delay is only transient or whether the stoppage is such as to
require assistance from the stations or junctions.
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For preventing the lights from being entirely extinguished I use a tap
having a plug with a groove in its periphery extending to both ends of
the aperture, so that the supply of gas cannot be entirely shut off when
the apertures of the plug and barrel of the tap are closed, and for
preventing the-lights from being obscured by the sun I use hoods or
shades over them.
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When an alarum is used there is a burner near a piece of cord which
keeps the alarum wound up, and when the gas is full-on it, burns the
cord and sets off the alarum, and if a detonating compound is used it is
ignited by the gas and gives a signal, and these arrangements for
signalling can be applied to luggage warehouses, docks, mills, and other
buildings or places.
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page_text: distant some hundreds of yards from the station; and c, a similar lamp
on the down line: If there is a train standing from any cause at the
station and another train is due, the station master by turning a tap in
his office can give a signal to the approaching train to prevent its
coming in.
Fig. 3 shews an arrangement of pipes and taps in the office. d is a
pipe with a full supply of gas; e, e, are pipes leading to the signal lamps,
which pipes are always fed with a limited supply of gas from any source,
so that the lights are low, but if either of the taps for 9 be turned the
full supply of gas is admitted into the corresponding pipe, and there is a
large light in the lamp.
In Fig. 2, representing an arrangement for a different purpose; h' and k
are two stations, say one or two miles apart; 1, 1, 1, are lamps fixed on
the telegraph posts at equal distances apart, and fed by the limited
supply pipe m, below which there is a full supply pipe n, and these two
pipes are joined together by cross taps o, o, o, one of which is shewn
about full size in Fig. 6, and these taps are always kept closed except in
the case of a breakdown, and then the guard goes to the nearest tap
and turns it on, the effect of which is to enlarge the lights of all the
lamps between the two stations, thereby giving danger signals to prevent
any other train from coming in collision with the breakdown, and at the
same time the station master is warned by the lamp and alarum'in'his
office, and should the breakdown occur near a station the station master
can by turning a tap in his office give signals to stop any train on the
other side of the station.
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Fig. 4 represents the arrangement of piping for this purpose intended
for only one side of the line, but in order to have command of both sides
of the line the arrangement of piping shewn in Fig. 5 is required, and
in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 the limited supply pipes are marked m and the
full supply pipes n. In Fig. 4 there is a tap p, which enables the
station master to cut off or extend the signal on one side of the station,
and in Fig. 5 there are taps p adapted for both lines of rails.
Fig. 7 represents an arrangement of pipes in a station master's office
for a complete system of signals for both the up and down lines, and
also the entrance signals, the four lamps being for the purpose of
shewing the station master where a signal comes from, and there is an
álarum for attracting his attention. The moving power of the alarum

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is a spring in connection with another spring, to which is attached one
end of a cord passing through the four lamps and fastened at its other
end, and when no signal is required the lights are so small that they
cannot reach the cord, but if the light of any lamp is enlarged it imme-
diately burns the cord, and the spring of the alarum is liberated and the
signal given, and the station master can easily see from whence the
signal was given, as only the light of the corresponding lamp would be
enlarged
In Fig. 8, which is a plan of part of Fig. 7, the pipes e, e, run to the
entrance signals only and there terminate.
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The second part of this Invention, which relates to signalling between
the passengers, guard, and engine driver of the train, is represented in
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, Sheet 2. I place on the tops of the
carriages two gas pipes, a, b, extending the entire length of the train and
connected by cross pipes c.and taps d, the plugs of which are connected
by pipes e to lamps f, having square glass cases, and two sides of the
lamps are of colored glass and the other two of uncolored glass, and
full-sized sections of one of the taps are shewn in Figs. 4 and 5. There.
is a cross, pipe, tap, and lamp for each carriage or for each compartment
as required, the plugs of the taps being connected at the bottom to
swivels g attached to cranks h, which are worked by the handles and
cords: or. rods, and one of the swivels is shewn enlarged in Fig. 8. The
pipe is arranged to give only a limited, supply of gas, but the pipe a
gives a full supply and the ends of the limited supply pipe, communicate
with an alarum in the guard's van and with a small whistle on the loco-
motive or tender, the alarum being kept wound up and the tap of the
whistle closed by cords, which can be burnt to allow the alarum to work,
and the tap opened by a spring..
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When no signals are required the supply of gas to the lamps is so
limited that the lights are very small, but if a passenger pulls one of the
handles the tap and lamp in connection with it is turned one quarter
round and opens a connection between the limited and full supply, and
then all the lights are instantly enlarged, the one on the engine or tender
and that in the guard's van being so large as to burn the cords and allow
the signals to be given. The compartment from which the alarum was
given is easily seen, as it is the only lamp that is turned, and presents
the colored sides. towards the ends of the train, and in order that the
signals can be given as often as required the lamps on the engine and

page_text: guard's van are lighted in the daytime as well as at night, but the other
lamps are only lighted at night or during darkness. Each cord or rod l
to which the handle k is connected is enclosed in a case m, Fig. 6, having
a rack n inside, there being a plug o to which a spring catch p is con-
nected, and the rack is hinged at the bottom to the case and kept in its
place by a lock at the top, and thus when a passenger has pulled a handle
the catch is held by the rack and the signal is kept in position, so that
it cannot be replaced except by the guard, who has a key for the
purpose.
Fig. 7 shews the arrangement used on engine or tender and in the
guard's van for burning the small cords before mentioned. r is a semi-
circular cap and a the position of the jet of gas when it is small, but
when a handle is pulled and the gas full on; the jet guided by the cap
becomes so long as to reach and burn the cord which is laid in the
slot t.
Where gas is already used for lighting the compartments of the
carriages I place the cross pipes and taps between them, or I use the
double pipes, cross pipes, and taps independent of the ordinary gas pipes,
the gas being supplied from a separate reservoir in the guard's van.
It will be seen that the foregoing description applies especially to
railways and railway trains, but it is evident that with slight alterations
these improved modes of signalling can be efficiently employed in
luggage warehouses, docks, and other required places.
My improved arrangement for signalling to the engine driver of
passenger and luggage trains when any part of the train becomes
uncoupled or disconnected with its other part is shewn on Sheet 3.
From one end of the train to the other I stretch a cord a fixed at one
end to the handle of a whistle 6 on the engine, and at the other end
wound on a reel c in the guard's van or upon the last carriage of
the train, and so made that it can be attached or removed when
required in a very short time. The reel upon which the cord is wound
is capable of being locked in any position, and the cord is left so slack
that it cannot by any chance become tight so long as the train keeps
together, but should any of the carriages become detached the cord
must of necessity move the handle of the whistle before breaking, and
thus give a signal to the engine driver that an uncoupling or discon-

page_text: nection of the carriages has taken place, and when desired I use a small
chain or wire instead of the cord.
Having now described the nature and particulars of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I desire it to be
understood that I claim,
4. L'
First. The improved modes of signalling between railway stations and
junctions, and also at any intermediate parts of the railway lines, by
means of jets of gas regulated from any required distance to give large
or small lights.
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Secondly. The improved mode of signalling between the passengers,
guard, and engine driver of railway trains, by means of jets of gas.
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And thirdly. The improved mode. of signalling ito the engine driver
by means of a cord, chain, or wire if any portion of the train should.
become detached, as all such improvements are herein described. and
illustrated in the accompanying three Sheets of Drawings.
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In, witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Singleton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal; this Fifth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
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Signed, sealed, and delivered by the
before-named Thomas Singleton,
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in the presence of
CHA. W. COLLINS.
THOMAS SINGLETON. .(L.S.),
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