CAB SIGNALS IN GENERAL.                 591

ripe for a system which will automatically give distinctive
clear, caution, and danger block signals (visual and audible)
on the cab of the locomotive, and which will do so under
greatest density and congestion of traffic as well as "out on
the line."
  DAMMOND VS. MECHANICAL BLOCK SIGNALS MANUALLY
                        OPERATED.
  Although the Dammond cab system is capable of being
installed and operated as an automatic system, it is also
quite as available for use as a purely manual system or, for
that matter, as a controlled manual system.
  Let a mechanical distant signal (fixed or cab) be located
eight hundred yards from the signal cabin from which it is
operated. At present there is a line of wire, pulleys, etc.,
here eight hundred yards long; and if we change to the Dam-
mond manual cab system this line is replaced by a line of
insulated wire. Between these two lines are differences that
make the Dammond system here decidedly superior to the
mechanical system. At present (that is in mechanical sys-
tems) this line is so placed that men working along the rail-
way are more or less likely to trip over it, while in the Dam-
mond system this line is never in the way of anybody or any-
thing.
  In mechanical signals this line is subject to wear and, both
because of this fact and because of accidents, it is subject
to repairs and renewals at frequent intervals; while its op-
eration is such that it must receive frequent attention. In
the Dammond manual cab system this line does not ex-
perience any wear, does not perform any operation to re-
quire attention, and cannot be accidentally injured.  Hence,
as to the Dammond system, it can almost be said that this
line is never subject to repairs or renewals. Rusted or worn
block signal wires and pulleys disappear from the track
when the present (mechanical) manual block signals are
replaced by the Dammond manual cab system.




			

OHS/National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center Serial Collection

African Methodist Episcopal Church Review, Vol. 28, Num. 2

Volume:  28
Issue Number:  02
Date:  10/1911