Signalling:

On this subject he draws attention to a curious cycle. When railways started, there being no signalling system, the driver was responsible for keeping his train under sufficient control to enable him to stop short of any obstruction he might see on the line. Now, on one of the most congested suburban lines in the United States, this method has been reverted to, the only guide the driver has being the tail lamp of the train in advance. A commission which inquired into the substitution of this by some modern system, such as automatic, reported in favour of continuing the present arrangement!

Thus, signalling, first devised to ensure safety, and then developed to enable a maximum density of trains to be dealt with, has made possible so great a reduction in the headway between trains, that, on one railway at least, the tail light of the preceding train is considered to be as satisfactory and convenient a guide as would be a stationary signal to indicate its position. Doubtless the question of expense has some bearing on this conclusion. As railways in general, however, put safety before economy, signalling is being developed to its highest point.

Mr. Hare draws attention to the need for a scientific arrangement of block sections, pointing out that with unequal sections and with trains running at differing speeds, it is “the time distance of the slowest train on the longest section that settles the capacity of the line.” (How often has this fact been brought home on our own Main Trunk?) He then points out that “if greater train density is required, our aim must be to shorten the length of the ruling section and raise the speed of the slowest trains.”

Reverting to the question of fixed signals, Mr. Hare makes the assertion that “there are hundreds of unnecessary signals in existence in various parts of the country to-day,” and draws attention to the chance of increased efficiency and economy by revision in this direction.

He considers the value of three-position and three-colour aspect signals to be definitely established.