170 



CONTINUOUS RAILWAY BBATCES. 



Newark brake trials, only those brakes wore tried which 

 were the result of long and extensive experimont on the 

 part of their inventors. These and other brakes will be 

 described later on. 



The field of competing inventors was at this time only 

 occupied by those who had the time, money, as well as the 

 forethought, to carry out the long series of experiments on 

 a large scale necessary to bring sxich a mechanism as the 

 continuous brake to a high degree of efficiency and perfec- 

 tion, as it was from such experiments alone, conducted with 

 care and backed with capital, that a solution of the brake 

 question could be expected. By this species of natural 

 selection, the brakes of those inventors only who had fair 

 claims to show of having, in a groat measure, solved the 

 brake question were placed in competition at the Newark 

 trials. 



It will bo necessary here briefly to consider the conditions 

 which must be adhered to in order that the traffic on a 

 railway where trains follow each other frequently and at 

 short intervals may bo safely and expeditiously managed, 

 and the punctuality of the trains ensured. 



Prom a consideration of these conditions it will be possible 

 to deduce the qualities which a continuous brake should 

 possess in an essential degree, if it is to bo .suitable for the 

 exigencies of modern railwaj' traffic. 



CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO SAFETY. 



The first condition for safety is, that the trains, which, as 

 regards signals, are protected, should bo equally so as 

 regards the means placed in the hands of the engine-driver 

 and guards for controlling the speed of the train between 

 stations, on approaching junctions, or when descending steep 

 gradients. 



