A MACHINE WITH A BRAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 223, 14 January 1911, Page 10

A MACHINE WITH A BRAIN.

All over the world men with brains are bending their ability to the task of contriving some device that will prevent, or minimise, railway collisions. Probably nothing lias been invented that is so remarkable and so promising ns the contrivance of an Australian, by which a train is endowed with an electrical brain. The idea is quite uncanny. Each train ; determines for itself, by means of this brain, whether or not it is safe to enter a section. Tf it is safe, the engine blows a ''line dear" whistle, and if it is not safe a "danger" whistle. So far, excellent, but at this point the machinery becomes almost human in its ingenuity. If the driver fails to obey the warning, the locomotive shuts off its own steam, applies the brakes, and prevents any other train from approaching too near it. Tf i the driver, fireman and guard were all to j fall dead at their posts the train would I still be safe, as no signals whatever are required. At least, that is what the inventor claims for his child, and tests made the other day on a private line in Xew .>outh Wales in the presence of experts seen) to show that he does not claim too much. Two engines were placed on a line, one fitted with the apparatus and one not so equipped. The former absolutely refused to collide with tlee latter, though the driver was apparently neglecting his duty shamefully, Tt blew a warning whistle, and when the driver paid no attention pulled up of its own accord some distance from the other engine. Tt was uncanny (says the Sydney Morning Herald) to see a steel hand shoot out and shut off steam when the driver gave 110 heed to the warning of danger. The State authorities apparently look coldly on the invention, for they would not give it a trial on the State railways, but it may be taken up elsewhere, and turn out a second Westinsrhouse brake in usefulness and profit. The cost of fitting n locomotive is £25. The inventor and his friends have spent ftI'O.OOO on the invention, but if it is as good as they say it is, tliey should get "ick many times that sunt. . .

last few weeks three serious accidents, due to mistakes in signalling, have been reported from one country alone, so the world is hadly in need of something that will reduce the human factor in train control to a minimum.