TRAIN CONTROL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 114, 17 May 1927, Page 3

TRAIN CONTROL.

GOOD AUSTRALIAN SYSTEM.

MAY BE INTRODUCED HERE-I

RAILWAYMAN'S IMPRESSIONS.

After a three months' study of train traffic control in South Australia and Victoria, Mr. E. S. Brittenden, of the NewZealand Railways Department, came back by the Ulimaroa to-day. He leaves to-night for Wellington, his headquarters. Associated with Mr. Brittenden on his inquiries was Mr. J. F. W. Smith, also of the head office, who will be back in the Dominion by the next Sydney boat. Mr. Brittenden says that the system used in South Australia and Victoria is an excellent one. Without it, he is doubtful whether the volume of traffic could be adequately controlled. The system briefly is this:—All traffic is governed by a control officer, who is stationed at a central office. A special type of telephone, known as the selecta telephone, is used. If there are 30 stations on the line they are all connected by telephone with the central office. At no time can one sub-station talk to another sub-station. Conversation is restricted and can be carried on only with the central station and any one of the sub-stations.

By this system the control officer knows within a minnte exactly where a certain train is. When it leaves one of the sub-stations the operator there telephones immediately to the control officer, who has a chart in front of him whereby he can trace the progress of the, train. "This particular system is being used in many countries," said Mr. Brittenden. "It is most effective, and without it I hardly think that a big amount of traffic could be coped with." It is possible that the New Zealand railways will adopt the system shortly. It is proposed to try it out from Wellington to Mart on in the North Island and from Christchurch to jOamaru in the South. Possibly it will not be used on all lines. Those lines that carry the most traffic will be controlled for a start.