The Directing Mind.

The system of train control is intricate, yet simple. In his office at Wellington the operator at the telephone apparatus is the central figure. By the turn of a small switch on the board in front of him he is immediately in touch with the particular station he desires. A two-valve wireless set, used in conjunction with the telephone, amplifies the voice of the man at the other end, which is heard through a loud-speaker to the right of the operator. The latter can call Marton—the furthest station in his district—as easily and quickly as he can get into touch with Thorndon.

In the course of his ordinary duties a voice comes to the operator from the reproducer, announcing the arrival or departure of a train from a station. The operator immediately marks the great chart on his desk, which shows the progress of trains on the different lines in his district. A man who has “been through the mill,” the control operator knows how to direct the running of trains. No train may proceed on its journey to a further point unless on advice from him. The goods that trains carry are distributed and loaded at his direction—all particulars of their freights are beside him. He directs shunting at a distant station, authorises watering operations, enables trains to make up for lost time, holds up others, and generally has the whole transport business of the railways in his district under his thumb. In the night watches he is still a constant worker, and by means of the red lines on his charts, ever growing, one can watch the progress of each train from station to station, while from the reproducer come the hollow tones of voice after voice, setting his pencil flying.

Such is the control operator's regular work; planning, informing, inquiring, directing. His is a task of great responsibility, and little do sleepy passengers, listening to the rumbling of the wheels over the rails, realise the careful control that is being exercised. So elaborate is the control operator's check on trains and so accurate his calculations, that if a train is much delayed between stations he soon makes inquiries, and if the delay continues he directs the stations on each side of the section in question to send along a man to investigate. Upon advice of an accident being received he has only to turn the “universal” switch to call up instantly and simultaneously every station in his area and give his directions to an unseen host of listeners.

The central control office in Wellington is the nerve centre of an extensive organisation.

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It must not be thought that extension of electrified railroad lines implies that the days of steam transportation are ended. On the contrary, steam power is basic to railroad operation.

… The new era in railroading will not supplant the old, but will supplement it.—General Atterbury, President, Pennsylvania Railroad.