SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 346, 22 July 1875, Page 3

SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS.

{Neiv Zealand, Herald.) In view of the recently reported narrow escape from a collision on the Auckland and Onehunga Railway, it will be interesting to learn that Sir David Solomons has invented a method of signalling on railways which, as he believes, will prove effectual in preventing mistakes and accidents. Electric apparatus and bells are to be fitted on the engine and in the guard’s van with intercommunications. A light continuous bar or rail, insulated through its whole length, is to be laid down between the rails, not to bear weight, but only that a light wheel connected with the engine may run upon it. This continuous bar may be connected with signalling apparatus in all the stations; and thus while the electric wheel of the engine touches the bar, and connection is made with the electrical apparatus, signals can be sent from the engine to the stations, from stations to signal stands, and from one locomotive to another. Collisions, as Sir David states, could not happen, because when a train comes within a certain distance of another, either before or behind, a bell rings and warns the engine driver. From these particulars a general notion of the method may be formed, but it is difficult to understand without diagrams. A model, is however, in course of construction which, when finished, will demonstrate the capabilities of the mechanism and of the method.