230 THE BRIGHTON ROAD 



when no block system existed to render such close 

 following comparatively safe. 



Clayton Tunnel was already considered a dangerous 

 place, and there was situated at either end (north and 

 south entrances) a signal-cabin furnished with tele- 

 graphic instruments and signal apparatus, by which 

 the signalman at one end of the tunnel could com- 

 municate with his fellow at the other, and could 

 notify " train in " or " train out " as might happen. 

 This practically formed a primitive sort of " block 

 system," especially devised for use in this mile and a 

 quarter's dark burrow. 



A "self-acting" signal placed in the cutting some 

 distance from the southern entrance was supposed, 

 upon the passage of every train, to set itself at 

 ' danger " for any following, until placed at " line 

 clear ' from the nearest cabin, but on this occasion 

 the first train passed in, and the self-acting signal 

 failed to act. 



The second train, following upon the heels of the 

 first, passed all unsuspecting, and dashed from daylight 

 into the tunnel's mouth, the signalman, who had not 

 received a message from the other end of the tunnel 

 being clear, frantically waving his red flag to stop it. 

 This signal apparently unnoticed by the driver, the 

 train passed in. 



At this moment the third train came into view, and 

 at the same time the signalman was advised of the 

 tunnel being clear of the first. Meanwhile, the driver 

 of the second train, who had noticed the red flag, was, 

 unknown to the signalman, backing his train out again. 

 A message was sent to the north cabin for it, " train 

 in " ; but the man there, thinking this to be a mere 

 repetition of the first, replied, " train out," referring, 

 of course, to the first train. 



The tunnel being to the southern signalman apparent- 

 ly clear, the third train was allowed to proceed, and 

 met, midway, away from daylight, the retreating second 

 train. The collision was terrible ; the two rearward 

 carriages of the second train were smashed to pieces, 



