Safety Device

A device which automatically stops trains which have passed danger signals has been tested out successfully in the presence of representatives of the Lackawanna, Erie, and New York Central railroads. Experts declare that the device, invented by George P. Finnigan, who died immediately after completing the initial tests in 1924, insures 100% safety in railroad operations.

The principle on which the invention rests is simple. A permanent magnet is buried in the track at a point opposite each semaphore. A pick-up coil is placed under part of the locomotive. When passing over the magnet in the roadbed, this pick-up coil receives the impulse, which in turn is communicated to the apparatus on the engine controlling the air brakes. If the signal is set at "caution" or "danger," the magnet reflects that indication and the speed of the train is automatically reduced. If the engineer does not heed this warning but allows his train to pass to a zone nearer the danger, a second magnet further reduces the speed. At the nearest point to the actual danger short of collision or wreck, the train is brought to a stop. Promoters of the invention demonstrated that the train could be stopped even if the engineer were dead.

A similar device was recently installed by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway along the 150-mile stretch of track between Boone, la., and Council Bluffs (TIME, Oct. 5).