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Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18334, 17 February 1920, Page 6

The pTiblio in general, perhaps, knows little of the wonderful mechanical devices for their safety on the tubes, which automatically oome into action (says a'writer in "The Times ") on the'failure of the human element Before a driver can put over his motorstarting lever to start the train he haa to depress a knob which is on tho starting lever. This knob, which has a strong spring underneath it, has to be depressed the whole time that the train is in motion. This device is called the " dead man," presumably because it comes into action if the driver dies or faints at his post. In such a case the brakes throughout the train are automatically applied and she train is brought to a standstill. It is very easy to let the " dead man " up by mistake. The'spring is so strong that the least release of pressure by the hand allows it to come up. "While driving and thinking of gradients, curves and signals, one is apt to forget it. Suddenly, when one is least expecting it, there is a noise like an earthquake a hiss and rush of air. and before the driver has time to collect his thoughts tho train has pulled up with a jerk that throws all and sundry out of their seats. The air pumps then have to pump up the released compressed air before the train can he started again. More than one volunteer (during the rocent railway strike) let the ■ dead man" up by mistake. v