EMERGENCY BRAKE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 17, 14 October 1927, Page 10

EMERGENCY BRAKE

EQUIPMENT OF RAILWAY CARRIAGE CONVERSION IN PROGRESS About thirty of the isilway passenger cars have so far been fitted with the Westinghouse emergency brake, which will enable passengers to stop the train in case of accident, the Minister "of Railways (Right Hon. J. G. Coates), Informed the House of Representatives yesterday. This safety equipment Is to be provided on 300 cars, and has been adopted - by the Railway Department in preference to the communication cord system of alarm which is in vogue in other countries. Mr. A. M. Samuel (Ohincmuri) drew the attention of the Minister to the latest railway accident in Auckland> where a truck had been dragged for six miles although it was off the rails. He suggested that there was a possibility. of a similar occurrence with respect to a passenger train, and he asked if the Department would consider the installation on such trains of some means whereby passengers would be able to communicate with the driver.

Mr. Coates said it was quite possible for a car cr wagon to be hauled for some distance off the line without the fact being apparent to the driver of the train. The question of providing a system of communication between passengers and the engine drivers had been inquired into, and it had been decided to adopt the Westinghouse safety brake system. The control of these brakes was housed in one of the cars, directions as to use being indicated on the glass panel in front of the control box. It was intended to fit 300 cars with the equipment Mr. Coates added that after every accident a full inquiry was conducted by officers of the Department, and if the Minister thought fit further investigations were made by an independent tribunal. In every inquiry care was taken to see that the members of the inquirv board were drawn from branches of the service not connected with the running of the train concerned.