US933662A - Train-despatcher's signaling and controlling system. - Google Patents

Description

G. E. PATRICK. TRAIN DBSPATGHERS SIGNALING AND GONTBOLLING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1908. 983,662. Patented Sept. 7, 1909.

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Qvi In moep attoznug G. E. PATRICK. TRAIN DESPATGHERS SIGNALING AND CONTROLLING SYSTEM.

APPLIUAIION FILED mnzz 19%. 933,662 Patented Sept. '7, 1909.

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TRAIN DESPATGHERS SIGNALING AND GONTROLLING SYSTEM.

APPLiOATION rum) MAY 22, 1908. 933,662. Patented Sept. 7, 1909. 4 snnnrs-snnm: a.

G. E. PATRICK. TRAIN DESPATGHBBS SIGNALING AND CONTROLLING SYSTEM.

'APPLIOATIOK FILED MAY 22, 1908.

933,662, I. Patented Sept. 7, 1909.

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UNITED sTArrns PATENT OFFIQE.

GEORGE E. s eam, or SALEM, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR mo PATRICK TRAIN con'rnen LING CORPORATION, OF SALEM, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

T BAIN-DESPATCHERS SIGNALING AND CONTROLLING SYSTEM.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. PATRICK, a citizen of the lfnited States, residing at Salem, in the county of Roanoke and State of Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Train-Despatchers Signaling and Controlling. Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to train dcspatchers signaling and controlling system adapted for steam or electric railways, whereby the despatcher has entire control of his division of the road, so that the necessity of telegraph and block otlice's with their operators and signalmen can be dispensed with; and the invention relates more particularly to a system includin aminiature railroad in the desp'atchers othce which is the exact representation of the actual railroad controlled by the despatcher and which has tell-tale miniature trains whereby the position of trains on the division is accurately indicated at all times, and whereby the operating condition of the road is clearly represented, so that accidents resulting from collisions, open switches, destruction of bridges by tire or floods or obstructions such as slides, are positively prevented; and further whereby any one. or more trains can be stopped at any place by the train despatcher, and whereby telephonic communication can be had between a train outon the road and the train despatcher, or between such train and local stations along the road.

The invention has for one of its objects to provide a signali g and train-controlling system of this character which is of comparatively simple and in'expensive construction, capable of being installed at a relatively low cost, and which is reliable and. cllicient. in service.

Andther objeot of the invention is the provision of a train despatchers operating board or table that. includes a miniature railroad and tell-tale trains thereon and equipped with propelling tuated by the train or trains on the main road' so as to propel the tell-tale trains for the purpose o indicating at all times the relative positions of the trains traveling on the division controlled by the despatcher.

A further object of the invention is the cquipn'ient ot' a track witlr live rails or conductors each composed of sections insulated from one another and each section being Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed May 22, 1908.

-ductor, engineer or slide, burning of devices automatically ac-,

Patented Sept. '7, 1909.

Serial no. 434,399.

connected in circuit with an electro-magnet in a despatchers office for operating, one of the tell-tale train propelling devices, the circuit being completed by suitable means on the train traveling on the main road.

A further object is the employment of ap paratus on the train which can be connected in circuit by a switch at the train despatchcrs oflice for the purpose of signaling to the conother member of the train crew to impart any necessary information, and whereby the train-can be automatically stopped by the train despatcher under emergencyconditions, as by opening the train pipe of the air brake system, the

' said electrical devices on the train being such that the train despatcher can be signaled when it is desired to obtain information from him.

The invention has as a further object the provision of a circuit connection and suitable devices for the purpose of indicating whether a track switch is open or closed, or whether the road is impassable by reason of a land a bridge or other dangerous condition, these conditions being indicated by the operation of appropriate indicating devices at the despatchers otlice'.

lVith these objects in view and others, as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention comprises the various novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be more fully described hereinafter and set forth with particularity in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a transverse section of the train despatchers operating table or board. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the circuit connections. Fi 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the miniature track of the despatchers board showing a tell-tale train thereon. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of one of the shoe devices or current-collecting means with which the. passenger coaches, locomotives, and other cars are equipped. Fig. 6 is a. side view thereof with portions in section. Fig. 7 is a diagrannnatic view of the circuit. conmotions and electrical devices of a train for signaling to the train rrcw or stopping the train under eunirgencyconditions. Fig. 8 is 'a detail view of. a switch-operating lever l and the circuit-controlling switch associated cabooses,

. along the track,

therewith, whereby the circuit will be completed when the switch is opened to thereby operate an indicating device atthe despatchers office. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an automatic switch which is adapted-to close the signal circuit in case a bridge is destroyed by fire or flood. Fig. is a perspective viewvof a portion of a track equipped with means whereby the signal circuit will be closed 'in case obstructions'fall upon the track, and located at laces where land slides or the like are likely 0 occur.

Similar reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring to the drawings, A designates an operating table or board which is intended to be located in the train des'patchers office and on this board is an exact representation,

in miniature form, of the railroad over which the despatcher has control. In the present instance, only a single track road is illustrated, but it is to be understood that it can be designed for a two or more track road. On the table A are rails 1 on which one or more tell-tale trains, such as B, Fig. l, are adapted to run. Between the rails 1,

the table has a slot 2 through which are adapted to bevertically projected propelling devices 3- whereby the tell-tale train can be moved step by ste) as an actual train is traveling successive y over the sections of the main road. The propelling'elements 3, are thin bars disposed side by side and are each hingedly connected at 4 with an lever 5 controlled by an individual-electromagnet 6. There are as many electro-inagnets as there are levers 5 and each is contamed in a separate circuit. Under the table A are rods 7 on which the inner ends of the leversnormally rest, and each lever has an armature 8 disposed over its respective 6160 tro-magnet so as to attract the outer end of the lever and thus throw the inner end .upwardly to raise the projecting element 3 thereof above the table. The miniature train B has an inclined abutment 9 on one car with which the propelling elements 8 are adapted to successively engage to move the car forward, and another car has a reverselyg,

inclined abutment 10 with which the propelling" elements are adapted to engage when moving the tell-tale train backwardly. The railroad track is equipped with two spaced conductors 11, 12 passing, centrally Fig. 3, that arccomposed of sections a, a, &c., that have their meeting ends spaced apart and insulated from-each other as indicated at 13, each section being.

of any appropriate length and being electrically connected with an electromagnet at the despatchers oflice for the purpose of operating one of the propelling elements when a train is passingover such section", there being as many propelling elements as there are operating -side of the battery being grounded by a wire 14, Figs. l and 3, while the other side of the battery connects with the wire 15 that leads to the various controlling switches C, C C C &c., at the-despatchers board.

In the wire 15 is located a bell 16 which is so wound as to be unati'ected bythe current from the battery B but which can be sounded by connecting in a battery on any train in thedivision for the purpose of calling the despatcher when necessary, and also in the wire 15, is a volt meter 17 to indicate that current of proper voltage is passing through the circuit. .011 the top of the switchboard A. are contact points .18" located under each switch lever for the purpose of connecting the electro-magnets with the battery B Each switch is connected by a wire 19 at the point 20 with a bus bar 21 under the table that is connected as shown in Fig. 1 with a group of electromagnets. Leading from the bus bar 21 are wires 22 connected to the individual magnets and from the magnets are wires 23 which are grouped together into a cable that runs along the railroad either on poles or in underground conduits and connected to the successive sections of the conductors l1 and 12 on the railroad track. All the despatchers switches are normally con nected with the electronnagnets, as shown in Fig. 2, so that asthe train on the main line passes over the division, the tell-tale train propelling devices will be successively operated and move the telltale train correspondingly with the movement of the main train l i Om at leastone of-the cars of a train is a current-collecting device 'or shoe such as shownin Figs. 5 and 6, the same consisting of a pair of members 24, 25, depending from thefloor. 26 or other suitable part of the car as the car vibrates from one side to the ,other, the shoes will be maintained on-the conductors-11, 12, of the track. Supported on themembers24, 25, arewheels 28, 29, bearingrespectively on the conductors or current-carrying rails 1.1, 12, and these wheelsare connected by Wires 30, 31, with binding posts 32, 33, respectively which are "connected ith electrical apparatus within the car. The wheels 28, 29, are-urged into connected with electrical apparatus within by springs 34 pressing on the hearing boxes 35, and to further insure goodielaetrical contactbetwe em the currentcatrying rails and shoes, the members 2 1., o, are provided with brushes 36 oltany suitac' 2:;- character that are connected by branch wires 39 with the wires leading-to the binding posts 32, 33. By this means, the various circuits are completed as the train passes over thetrack and the current passes from rail 12 through thewheel 29 and brushes of the-member 25, wire 31,

ii) binding post 33, electrical connections within currents of different values.

'1 electro-magnet E and this the car, binding post 32, wire 30, wheel 28 and brushes associated therewith, and con-- dutaor 11, thus completin the circuits that lead to the despatchers %ice so as to operate the. tell-tale train after the other as the main train passes over the successive sections. of the conductors 11, 12.

The electrical apparatus within the locomotive, passenger coach, caboose, or other car, for the purpose of enabling the despatcher to signal to one of the train crew, orthe latter to signal-to the despatchemor for the despatcher to stop the train under emergencvconditions, is shown in Fig. 7. This apparatus comprises electro-magnets E, E E which are wound to respond to The wires and 31 of the current collecting device shown in Fig. .5 are connected with the binding posts 32, 33, respectively, and the binding post 32 is connected with a switch lever 40, Fig. 7 which has'a contact point 41 connected with the wire 42 that leads to the electro-magnet is connected with the electro-magnet E by :a. wire 43, and the electro-magnet E is also connected with the binding post 33 by a wire 44, thus including the windings of the clectro-magnets E, E in the circuit through which the current passes that is supplied by the five-volt battery B at the despatchers o1":- iice when the apparatus is in normal operating condition. This current is not of 'sufiicient strength, to operate either armature of the electro-inagnets, but .in case it is desired to signal to the train crew, the voltage is raised to ten volts by connecting the battery B 1 and 3, of the despatchers office, so that a current of higher voltage will flow through. the circuit and energize the electroniagnot E thereby drawing its armature 45 toward thbelectro-magnet, whereupon a local circuit is closed that includes the signalbell F. The armature 45 is mounted on a spring 46 which is connected by a wire 47 with the battery Znof the local circuit in whichthe'belll is included, and this spring is adapted to engage with the contact 48 that is connected with the bell and battery by a wire 45). \Yhen'the train crew is thus qignaled, atelephone set can be connected in circuit so as toreceive instructions from the dospatcher', this telephone circuit consisting 1 of a-telephone set T, Fig. 7 that is connected propelling devices 0116, of the current-carrying conductor 12 with by a wire 50 with the binding post and by a wire :31 with the contact point 52 with which the circuit-controlling lever 40 is adapted to contact.

When the despatcher desires to signal to the train crew, he selects the appropriate switch C, (1, &c., and moves the same until it engages the contact point 53 of the switchboard A, thereby connecting the wire 54 that includes the battery B in circuit, so that current will pass from the battery through the wire 54, switch 0, wire 19, one of the electro-magnets oi the group or bank controlled by such switch C, wire 23, the section which the current-collecting shoe is in con-. tact, thence to the wire 31 of such shoe to the binding post 33, through the electro-magnets E, E by wires 44, 43, 42, switch 40, binding post 32, wire 30, and section of another current conductor 11, and then to ground by the wire connected with such conductor, as shown in Fig. 3. This current will be of sufficient strength to operate the electromagnet E so that the local circuit including the bell F will be closed. As soon as this is done the train despatcher throws the switch lever C into engagement with the contact point 56 so as to connect the telephone set T Figs. 2 and 3, intocircuit so that he can give telephonic orders to the conductor or othgr member of the train crew out on the roa If, under emergency conditions, the conductor or engineer of the train does not obey orders given by the train despatcher, or for any other reason it becomes necessary to im- .mediately stop the train out on the road, the

train despatcher throws the appropriate switch C, C 850., into engagement with the contact point 57 that connects by a wire 58 with the fifteen voltbattery B that is, in turn, connected in series by a wire 59 with the battery B so that a current of twentyfive volts will flow through the circuit. At the des atchers table are volt meters 60, 61, for rea ing the voltage of the currents flowing when the batteries B B are connected in circuit. This twenty-five-Volt current is suflicient to energize the electro-magnet E and it flows through a path consisting of the batteries B B, wire 58, contact point 57, the appropriate switch 0, C, &c., wire 19, one "of the electro magnets 6, wire 23 current conductor 12, one of the current-collecting shoes of the train, binding post 33, both electro-magnets E, E wires 44, 43, 42, switch'40, binding post 32, the other shoe of the current-collecting device of the train, current'carrying conductor 11, wire 55 ,to ground, thence back to the despatchers ofiice to the negative side of the batteries by the wire 62. The e'lectromagnet E is thus brought into service and attracts the armatare 63 that is mounted on a spring 64 of 0 ing the train pipe of the air brake system or at the despatchers otfice,

greater strength than the spring 46 of the magnet The spring '64: is adapted to engage a contact (35 that is connected with the elcctro-inagnet E by the wire 66, and the spring 64 is connected by wire v67 with a twenty-five-volt battery 6 that also connects with the electro-magnet. The elect-ro-m'agnet E thus controls a local circuit/in which the more powerful electro-ma'gnet E is included. "'The latter electro-magnet has its armature (38 connected with a lever 69 that controls any suitable mechanism for openother suitable apparatus for stopping the train under emergency conditions. By thus equipping the train with electrical devices of the class set forth, the despatcher can telephoneto the conductor of'a train out on I the road, or the latter can call up thede spatcher or any station alon the road equipped with telephones, and turthermore, the despatcher can stop the train whenever necessary. The same wires throughwhich the five-volt current passes for energizing the various electro-ma-gnets at the despatche'rs ofiice for operating the tell-tale train devices also serve for transmitting the ten and twenty-five-volt currents and for teles phonic and signalin connections between the moving train an despatchei' or statlon operators along the road. In case it is desired to call up the despatcher from the train, the switch i0 is connected with the contact point 70, Fig. 7, so as to thereby include in circuit a, battery 72 which generates a current of five volt-s which, in connection with the current supplied by the battery B will produce a cur rent of suiiicient voltage to operate the bell 16 at the despatchers oiiice, which bell being sounded informs the despatcher that tele-v phonic connections are desired with him. He immediately connects in the telephone T by any appropriate switch C, C ,v Figs. 2 and 3, depending upon the position of the train on the roadso thathe can communicate with the train, the conductor onthe [train having in the meantime connected his telephone set T lILCiXCUii) by moving the switch 40 to the contact point 52.

7 Whenever there are side tracks in the main: line, the track switches therefor are equipped withcircuit-closing devices, such for instance, as shown in Fig. 8. The switch operating lever 71' moves the switchv point through. the wire 15 by the linlr'iQ, and attached to the lever is a metal piece 73 that is adapted to engage between spring contacts 74:, 7 5, that are connected in circuit by wires 76, 77, as shown in Figs. 3 and 8. When the circuit is thus closed by operating the track switch-controlling lever 71, this factwill be shown at the despatohers office by an indicating device Gr, Fig. 2.

The miniature track is formed with' a sidingH and an indicating device G is ar-fi thereof so as to show electro-ma-gnets' energized by thefclosing of the circuit when the line at the siding are side track- H of the despatch'ers board are train-propelling means 3 actuated 'by the electro-magnets 78, Fig. 1, that are con-' trolled by the despatchers switch I that is located at the opposite side of the track from the'switches 'O, C &c. This switch I is adapted to be connected with any of the wires connected with the batteries B B B and the telephone T the contact points 18, 53,56, 57, so that coin- Inunication between the despatcher and train while at the siding can be obtained. The siding in the main track is divided into, in-- sulated rail. sections like the main track shown in Fig. '3, and the sections of one rail of the siding are grounded whilethe sections of the other rail are connected by wires with their respective electro-magnets 78, Fi 1, so that as a train passes-throu h the si ing, the circuits will be successive closed for raising .the propelling devices (ii of the siding of the despatchers oflice to propel the mini ture train on such siding; By manipu eating-the switch I, the despatcher can.

communicate with the conductor of the train on the siding of the main track-or stop the train? under emergency conditions, just as he can with a train at a. point in the main line lay the switches .C, C G etc. When a trainjenters the sidingat S of the main track S, the circuit will be-completed through the switch I of the des atchers switchboard so that the first rope ling device Gwill be raised. By re 3, itwill be understood that the current flows through the circuit consisting of the batter B, w1re15, switchcontact point 18, lever wire 15- and electromagnet' 78' connected therewith, wire.15", one of the conductors a for the siding SF of the main track, throu h the current collecting device onshoe oft e train passing through such siding, the other conductor a? ,for the siding, to ground and thence to the grounded side of the battery B. As the train roceeds alongthe' main siding, the next'e ectro-magnet will be energized when the adjacent section of the conductors of the siding are reached by the collecting device or shoe of the train so that the next ropelling device G of the despatchers switc board will be raised to thereby move the miniature train to such switchboard along the siding H, in accordance'with' the movement of the actual train in the main siding S. In case the despatcher wishes to telephone to the train crew while the train is in the track switches of the main opened. Also'in the 8O by engagement with erence to Fig.

siding 8, he throws the switch lever I to the contact point 53 so that current often volts will flow from the battery B through the switch I, wire 15; one of the electromagnets 78, wire 15, collector device or shoe of the train, and the electrical appliances on the train so that the bell F, Fig. 7 will be energized, the currentproceeding through the wire 15 and ground to the opposite side of the battery B After thus signaling the train crew, the despatcher connects in his telephone T by throwing the switch lever I, Fig. 3, to the proper point while the engineer or conductor of the train rew connects in his telephone T by manipulating the lever 40, Fig. 7, so that telephonic messages can be interchanged. That is to say the despatclier moves the switch lever I to the point 56 and the circuit will be completed through the wire 56 telephone set T which includes a battery, (not shown), thence by way of the ground to the grounded wire l5 conductor a the shoe of-the contact device on train contacts with the said conductor, lever of Fig. 7, contact point 52, train telephone set T, Wire 50, binding post 53, the other shoe of the contact device, conductor a, of Fig. 8, wire 15, electromagnet 58, wire 15, and thence back to the switch lever I.

When the train on the main track siding is to be sto ped under emergency conditions, the train espatche will throw the switch lever I to the point 57 so as to connect both batteries B and B in circuit to thereby call into play the emergency devices of th; train. It will thus be seen that the switch I is used only for controlling the circuits for signaling to a train on a siding in the main track, for

stopping such train under emergency conditions and for enabling. the train to operate the propelling devices G of th'edespatchefs switchboard. In other words, the switches C, C C, etc., are used in connection with the main line of a railroad, while the switch I is used only in connection with sidings, s .vitches or the like.

here bridges occur in the main line that are likely to be destroyed by fire orjlood, a switch'controllin'g device such as sho'wn in Fig. 9 is employed which comprises a pair of spring metal members 80, 81, that. are connected with wires 82, 83, that are included in circuit with an ele'ctro-magrret and a source of current at the despa-tchers oflice so that when the circuit is closed by the members 80, 81, a signaling device such as G similar to the si nalin device G, Fi 2 b b I t: 3

will be brought into notice. The contact members 80. 81 are held separated by a .block 84: of wood or the like which can be consumed by fire or dislodged or washed away by flood, thus permitting the circuit to be closed for warning the despatcher that the bridge is indanger of destruction, so that he can stop any train of his division before the bridge is reached. \Vhere land slides are apt to occur, the track is provided with circuit controlling devices such as shown in Fig. 10. Between the tracks are hinged plates 85 disposed between the track rails 86 and the curt entconductors 12. The plates have members 87 that engage between spring contacts 88 attached to the conductor rails 11, 12, and so disposed that when the main track is in operating condition, the circuit will be maintained open. In case of rocks, earth or' other obstructions fallin upon the plates 85, the members 87 will be disenglaged from'the springs 88 'so as to permit t em to come together and close the circuit from one conductor 11 to the conductor 12, thus actuating a signaling device such as G at the despatchers oifice for enabling the despatcher to warn a train approaching the obstruction in time to avoid a wreck. The current-carrying conductors 11,12, will be maintained in operating condition by means of the track walker and the latter may be r uired by the rulers of the road to periodica ly call up the train despatcher to see if any orders are to be received. For this purpose, the t-rack walker can be provided'with a portable telephone set, and by connecting one side with one conductor 11 and connecting he other side of the telephone set to the con uctor 12, he can 0 erate a signaling device isuch as G at the espatchers ofiice and inform the despatcher that telephonic communicatio is desired.

Freight trairs will he usually equipped with current-collecting devices and shoes both at the locomotive and caboose, where also may he provided electrical device such as shown in Fig' 7, and the freight cars themselves may be equipped with currentcollecting shoes or devices without the'electrical apparatus for sig'nalingor train-stopping purposes. In, case a freight train should pull apart, this fact would be automatically revealed to the despatcher by caus-- ing the tell-tale train to alsopull apart.

For instance, if the train on the main road is disconnected, the part attached to the engine will, of course, continue to run and the trailing portion of the train will oner or later come to rest and while at rest, it will maintain 'a closed circuit that includes an elect-ro-magnet controlling one of the telltale train-propelling devices and hold the latter in projected position as indicated at 90, Fig. 4. The movement of the portionof the freight train connected with the engine will cause the propellingwlevices at the despatchers ofiice to continue to move the telltale train along until the device at 90 engages the abutment 10, \vhereuponthe rear car of the tell-tale train will be stopped with the result that the engine will be separated therefrom as the cngme is forced forwardly 11 and by those propelling devices thatjare successively connected in circuit by the movement of that portion of thefrjeight train that is'connected with "the engine. lVhen VthIS'GVQHt occurs, the despatcher can immediately, notify the engineer or conductor of the freighttrain that't-he train has been separated and thus give the train crew an opportunity to go back and connect with the detached portion of-the train before an accident occursto a following train. l

From the foregoing description, taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily ap parent to those skilled in the art to which} the invention appertains, and while I have described the prlnciple of operation of the invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider tobe the best embodiment thereofll desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described the'linvention, what main track.

2. In a train despatchers'controlling and signaling system, the combination of a despatchers switchboard consisting of a miniature track having a longitudinal slot, a train movable over the miniature track and provided with an abutment, a main track, electrically-operated devices disposed in the slot of the switch-board and projectable upwardly from the slot for engaging the abut ment to move the train for indicating the operating condition of the, main track, and means at the switch-board *for controlling the train or trainson the main track. 3. In atraindespatchers system, the com bination. of a despatchcrs switch-board including a miniature track representing the main tralloover which the despatcher has contn'olf 1 cans-on the main track for successively closing separate circuits by the movement of attain, and devices at the switch-board actuated by the said-circuits for indicating the operating conditionof the road, saidv circuits being so arranged as to control the devices for indicating that a train has become separated into parts.

4. In a train despatchrfis system, the combination of a despatchefs switch-board in cluding a miniature track representing the the operating condition of the.

cuits between the switch-boar and successively closedby a train traveling ceases main track over which the despatcher has control, means on the main track for suctrain on the maintrack. i a 5. In a train despatchers system, the combination of adespatchers switch-board in eluding a miniature track representing the main track over whichthe despa-tcher has control, means on the main track for successively closing separate circuits, by the movement of a train, devices at the switchboard actuated by the said circuits for incessively closing separate'circuits by the: -movement of a train, devices at the SWliCllj dicating the operating condition of the road,

and means whereby the 'despatchcr niay stop any tram in his divlsion.

6. In a despatchers signaling system, the

combination of a switch-boardrepresenting in miniature themain track over whichthe despatcher has control, said board being divided into sections, a plurality of circuits between each section of the switch-board and main track and automaticallykc'losed by the passage of a train, means at the switchboardfor showing I the movement or position of the train or trains on the main. track, and means for changing the current-passing through the circuits for signaling'between the train. and despatcher and for stopping 3 the train at'any point in its traveL.

7 In ades'patchers signaling systennthe combination of. a despatchers swlt'ch-board including a track representing in miniature the .main track or road over which the despatcher has control, a tell-tale train'on the miniature track having spaoe'd'abutments,

ipropellin means arranged to engage one 'or more of t e abutments,'electrical circuits for track and leading to the despatchers switchboard, and separate electrically-operated dethe said meansextending along the'main vices at the switch-board actuated by the closing of different circuits for indicating the operative condition of the road.v

8. In a system of the class described, the combination of a despatchers. switch-board, a main track, a plurality of inde endent cirand track a main track, a plurality of independent cirmits between the switch-board and. track and successively closed by a train travelin over the, latter, devices at the switch-boar successively actuated by the closing-of the vcircuits, means for varying the flow of current through the circuits for signaling be-- tween the switch-board and train, and means for furthervarying the flow of current controlled at the said switchboard for stopping board, a plurality combination with a train train on the main track the train under emergency conditions.

10. In a system of the class described, the" combination of a train despatchers switchof track circuit-s controlled by the movement of the train, successively operated devices at the switchboard responsive to flow of current of certain value, means at the switch-board for further increasing the current flowing in any circuit closed by the train, and an, emergency train stopping device responsive to a maximum increase of current.

11. In a system of the class described, the

despatchers switchboard, a main track, circuits extending along the track and controlled by the movement of a train, a plurality of switches on the board, devices at the switch-board and connected with the various circuits for indicating the movement or position of trains on the track, signaling and train stopping devices, connections W ereby any switch on said board can connect the stopping and signaling devices in circuit, and separate sources of current adapted to be connected in circuit for operating the indicating, signaling. and stopping devices independently.

12. In a system of the class described, the combination of a despatcher s switch-board including a miniature track, a tell-tale train thereon, and a plurality of independentlyactuated propelling devices controlled by the movement of a train on the main line, said" devices being arranged to indicate when a has separated into parts. p

13. In a system of the class described, the combinationof a despatchers switcheboaizd including a miniature track, a tell-tale train thereon, a plurality of independently electroniagnetically actuated propelling devices projected upwardly from the miniature board located adjacent vnection between the -miniature track and track for moving the train, a main track, an electrical circuit controlling each device, and means for successively controlling the circuits by the movement of a trainron the main track.

14. Ina system combination of a despatchers switch-board including a track and a siding, a main track and siding, at the switch-board controlled by the movement of a train or'trains on the main track and siding for indicating the position of such train or trains, means for signaling between the switchboard and the train on the main track or siding, and means for stopping a train on the main track or siding.

15. In a system of the class'described, the combination of a switch-board including a miniature track and siding, a main track and siding, switches for connecting the. main track andthe siding, means at, the switchthe points of considing 'for indicating the condition of the switches, circuits extending between the 'main track and switchboard, additional circuits extending between, the, siding and switchboard, means for utilizing anyof the said circuits for telephonic connection between the despatcherand train on the main track or siding.

16.- In a system of the class described, the

combination of a despatchers switch-board including a miniature track, a main track, electric circuits between the tracks and controlled by the movement of a train over the main track, a tell-tale train on the miniature track and having abntments, electro-magnets successively cut into circuit, and de vices controlled by the electro-magnets and moved successively into engagement with" either one of the abutments of the train for propelling the lat er.

In testimon w ereof' I aifix my'signature in presence 0 two witnesses.

GEORGE E. P 'riucK.

'Witnesses: I i V W. J. PUcKn'rr, R. W. KIME;

of the class described, the

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