SAFETY ON TRAINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20768, 10 January 1931, Page 5 (Supplement)

SAFETY ON TRAINS.

AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM.

NEW " FOOL-PROOF » DEVICE

An important development in British railway operating methods lias been announced. Hie Great Western Railway Company proposes to equip 1758 miles of track, embracing all its principal main hna routes, and 2000 engines with tho company's system of automatic train control. The total cost of this work will be £208.000.

The automatic train control system gives audible warning to an engihe-driver by sounding a siren in the engine-cab when his train is approaching a distant signal in tl\e " danger " position, and, in tho event of this warning being disregarded, automatically applies the brakes so as to ensuro the train being pulled up before it reaches the next " stop " signal. In addition, a bell is rung on the engine when tho distant signal shows "lino clear." This facilitates the running of the train when tho signal cannot bo seen during fogs and snowstorms. This is how the signals are operated:— There is an immovable ramp, about 40ft. long, fixed between tho running rails, consisting of a steel inverted T-bar mourned on a baulk of timber. The ramp at its highest point is 4in. above rail level, and is connected electrically with a switch which is attached to the lever in tho signal-box controlling the distant signal. On tho engine is a contact shoe, as well as an electricallycontrolled brake valve and siren combined, and an electric bell.

The contact shoo is fixed on the centre lino of the engine, and projects to within 2Jin. above rail level. It is capable of being raised vertically, and, being in lino with tho ramp, it is lifted an inch and a-half whenever a ramp is passed over, this lift opening a switch attached to tho contact shoe.