DANGEROUS CROSSINGS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 135, 14 July 1914, Page 7

DANGEROUS CROSSINGS.

. AN AUTOMATIC ALARM. DEPARTMENT'S NEW INSTALLATION. IProm oux own Parliamentary Reporter.] • WELLINGTON, July 13. The question asked by Mr A. M. Myers (Auckland East) as to the reason for the delay in the installation of Automatic alarms at level crossings, and the reply of the Minister of Railways (Hon. W. H. Herries) that the signals would be installed at the earliest possible moment, have caused some curiosity as to what system the Department intends to adopt. The matter was diseased by a SUN representative this »;«rning with Mr W. J. Wynne, the. Department's signal engineer, who explained that the system was a very simple one, consisting of the continuous jringing of a bell during the time a train as approaching a crossing, and until the last part of the train has cleared the iroadway. The system is not a new invention, and is covered by no particular patents, but is simply an application of ordinary electrical principles to a particular railway purpose. The system has been in general use at thousands of crossings in America for some years, and is also extensively used in Australia. An alarm j ■was installed at the well-known cross-1 ijig at Levin (WelUngton-Manawatu j ]jne) some two and a-lialf months ago, i laid has worked splendidly. The ringing of the bell gives ample warning of the approach of a train from either side, and the sound is loud enough to It heard by drivers of vehicles a long way from the line, and also by passengers in expresses passing at a high rate of speed. At Levin the ringing of the bell can be heard at the railway station, which is a good mile from the crossing, warning is therefore given of the approach of a train. The apparatus 'is exceedingly simple. About 800 yards on each side of the crossing there is an insulated joint in each line of rails, and each rail is connected by a wire to a battery. There is another insulated joint at the crossing, so that the lines for some 1600 yards are divided into two insulated sections. All intermediate joints are securely bonded so as to give perfect electrical contact throughout their entire length. The batteries at the terminal insulated joints are connected by wiring with a battery at the crossing, which operates two large bells attached to the ordinary "Stop!" sign-posts. What happens on the approach of a train is this: As soon as the train passes the insulated joint the two wheels set up a contact and the bell commences to ririsj. Contact is rnaintaine i until the last pair of wheels passes the insulators at the crossing, and then the bell (-eases to ring. This, of course, happens no matter from what direction the train is approaching. The system is adaptable to both single and double lines.

For many years the system of bell alarms has been in use at about a dozen oi the most important and dangerous city crossings in the Dominion, but the Veil has been operated by a hand»wit,ch thrown over by the crossingkeeper. In accordance with the Statute law of the Dominion no driver is allowed to take his vehicle across a railway line ■while a train is approaching within half a mile.. For this reason the insulated joints at Levin have been placed about fcOO yards on" each side of the crossing. Of course they may be placed at any

distance from the roadway which may ! be desirable in accordance with the speed of trains usually crossing it.