IMPROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING FROM ONE PART OF A RAILWAY TRAIN TO ANOTHER, THE SAME BEING ADAPTABLE TO WARMING PURPOSES AND TO SIGNALLING IN SHIPS OR VESSELS, BUILDINGS, AND OTHER PLACES
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Turnbull and John
George Piton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 8th March 1869.
We, ROBERT TURNBULL and JOHN GEORGE PITON, of Cowpers Court,
Cornhill, in the City of London, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING FROM
ONE PART OF A RAILWAY TRAIN TO ANOTHER, THE SAME BEING ADAPTABLE TO
WARMING PURPOSES AND TO SIGNALLING IN SHIPS OR VESSELS, BUILDINGS, AND
OTHER PLACES," to be as follows:-
Steam pipes are placed underneath the framing of the carriage im-
mediately over the centre line, to convey the exhaust steam from the
cylinder or other part of the engine to the end of the train or carriage.
In the centre of each carriage placed between and connected to the pipes
is a steam whistle; pull cords or wires leading from each compartment are
connected to the handle of the whistle, such whistle also forming a stop-
cock. When the engine first discharges the exhaust steam it enters the
pipes and is conveyed through them to the end of the train, the stop-
cocks being all open; but in case of danger or signalling being required
to be made, then by pulling a cord or wire the cock is shut and confines
the steam causing a great pressure against the whistle, giving instan-
Lancous alarm through the whole train and commanding the engine driver

page_text: to stop, the whistle sounding so long as the engine discharges steam,
assistance can then be given to the part of the train where required.
The steam from the whistle will lead any one direct to the carriage sig-
nalling, and the whistle will not cease until some person turns the handle
back, and on examining the compartments the pull rope or wire will
denote from which compartment the signal was given as it will hang
down, not possible to be pressed back until the handle is turned. The
pipes will not of necessity be required to be placed underneath or in the
centre, for they may be on the top, or two pipes may be placed one on
each side, and the steam whistle can he placed on the top of any carriage,
or two whistles may be placed to each carriage which would give one
whistle to two compartments. Telescope slides are fitted between each
carriage which will allow for contraction and elongation and yet permit
the steam to be confined in the pipes, or flexible pipes may be used.
And the other details of construction may be varied as circumstances
may require. And should the exhaust steam not be sufficient the steam
can be conveyed direct from the boiler, and the stop-cock and whistle
may be combined in one, but usually there is sufficient steam in the pipe
to sound the whistle without having a stop-cock. The steam pipes may
be applied to warm the carriages by means of branches connected with
the main with taps to be used at pleasure. Should valves be required to
carry of the condensed steam or water they can be fitted, but as the rails
are nearly level and occasionally the trains ascend and descend, all the
water will be caused to run out, and in the guard's van a steam guage
may be fitted to indicate the pressure of steam in the pipes. Whistles
of different sounds may be fitted in the guard's van to enable the guard
to communicate different signals to the engine driver respecting passen-
gers in the train or the general working of the line. Should by accident
any portion of the train become disconnected from the main part instan-
taneous alarm will be given to all parties concerned by the sounding
of a whistle as they are all self-acting. To guard against the pipes
being injured (as fixtures) by the oscillation of the carriages when the
train is in motion elastic straps or coach springs are used to fix them to
the carriages. The arrangements for ships at sea and shore buildings
will be of similar character or application.