808,657. Starting prime movers. BRITISH UNITED TRACTION Ltd., and PASSEY, G. H. Jan. 7, 1957 [Oct. 18, 1955], No. 29756/55. Class 38 (4). [Also in Groups XXVII and XXXI] Apparatus for controlling a plurality of internal combustion engines comprises a plurality of start relays associated respectively with the engines and each connected to a common supply line, at least one starter motor for each engine, the energizing circuits for the starter motors each being controlled directly or indirectly by the associated start relay and a common start switch means for controlling the connection of the common supply line to a source of power, the arrangement being such that on operation of the common start switch means the relays cause energization of the respective starter motors to turn the respective engines. Two starter motors connected for energization simultaneously may be provided for each engine. The Figure shows apparatus for controlling diesel engines providing motive power for a railway train. The train comprises up to six cars each of which carries two diesel engines (referred to as No. 1 and No. 2 engine respectively). The Figure shows the circuit of one car. Each car has multi-pole connectors at each end the poles of which are connected to the corresponding poles of the connectors on the adjacent cars when the train is made up. Common lines extend along each car from the poles of the connector at one end to the poles of the connector at the other end and nine of these lines are shown at 31-39 in the Figure. Each car has a battery 41 capable of providing sufficient power to energize electric starter motors 42 and 43 associated respectively with the two diesel engines (not shown). Any one of these batteries may additionally be coupled by switch means (not shown) to lines 36 and 37 on that car so that on every car lines 36 and 37 are energized. Each engine has the stopping lever of its fuel pump (not shown) controlled by a shut-down solenoid 48 or 49 which when energized moves that lever to a position to cut-off the fuel supply to the engine so that the engine stops. When the shut down solenoid is de-energized the engine can start and run when it is turned by the associated starter motor. Two electro pneumatic valves (not shown) are provided to control through pneumatically operated pistons the direction of propulsion of each car by its engines. When the forward electro-pneumatic valve is energized the engines are coupled to the wheels to drive the car forward and when the reverse electro-pneumatic valve is energized the engines are coupled to the wheels to drive the car in reverse. The valves are controlled through forward and reverse relays 51 and 52 respectively. Two indicator lamps 62, 63 are connected to the line 61 and to the " oil indicator 1 " and " oil indicator 2 " lines respectively. The apparatus carried by the car also includes " start " relays 64, 65, " stop " relays 66, 67, start isolation relays 68, 69, a " train stop " relay 71, a " train stop " push-button switch 72, a " train start 1 " pushbutton switch 73 (constituting common start switch means), a " train start 2 " push-button switch 74, " local stop " push-button switch 75, 76 and " local start " push-button switches 77, 78. Two sets of contacts 81, 82, 83, 84, are provided, the first set of which is adapted to close when the lubricating oil pressure of No. 1 engine is at or above the pressure which it reaches when running and the other set of contacts is adapted to close when the oil pressure of engine No. 2 reaches such value. There are provided contacts 85, 86 associated respectively with the two engines which contacts are adapted to remain closed so long as the level of the cooling water of the engines is above a critical minimum value. Closing of contacts 81 lights the indicator lamp 62 on each car to provide an indication that engine No. 1 of the particular car whose circuit is shown in Fig. 1 is running. In the event of the oil pressure or water level of an engine falling below its proper value the appropriate contacts 82, 84 or 85 or 86 open, thereby de-energizing the appropriate stop relay 66 or 67, thus energizing the shut-down solenoid 48 or 49 to stop the engine. Either engine on each individual car may be started independently of the train control by pressing the appropriate " local start " switch button 77 or 78. The train may include additional cars not provided with engines and such additional cars may be interposed between the diesel-engine powered cars or may be equipped with positions for controlling the train, connectors being provided at each end of such additional cars and being linked by lines extending along these cars. Modified embodiments are described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3 (not shown). The train may comprise carriages, trucks or vans.