513 



the lever is formed a small inclined plane at E, so as to push 

 away the bolt, F, when the same is not prevented moving, as 

 hereinafter mentioned. The said bolt, F, moves in a suitable 

 hole or slot made through the uprights, and has connected 

 with it the spring, H, for the purpose of bringing it back. 

 The spring, I, Fi^. 5, tends to return the lever, B E ; which 

 latter has a segmental arm, G, to prevent the bolt, F, passing 

 behind it. K represents a pulley, placed upon the central 

 part of the torsion-rods. L is a piece pressed upon the said 

 pulley by the spring, M, and which serves to raise the catch, 

 on the end of the crank or bent lever. The mode of 

 action is as follows : — In the first place, if K be not turned 

 previously to the buffers of the carriage to which such appa- 

 ratus is applied being pressed in the piece, A presses on B, 

 which, remaining firm, causes the breaks to be put in action. 

 But if, by the torsion-rods, the pulley, K, be turned in the 

 direction designated by the arrow, the catch is raised ; 

 and when the piece. A, presses on the lever, B E, the bolt, 

 F, is forced out; consequently there is no action on the 

 breaks. A spring should be also applied to keep the breaks, 

 when not in action, from pressing on the wheels, but which, 

 to avoid confusion, is not shown in the drawings. 



I would suggest that, for the purpose of increasing the 

 safety of railway travelling, all trains should be furnished 

 with some means of communication between the guards and 

 engine-drivers ; 



That the three carriages nearest the engine should be 

 supplied with self-acting breaks ; and 



That the guard placed on the last carriage of the train 

 have the means of working the breaks on the last three 

 carriages, so that there would be six breaks to a train of 

 ordinary length, instead of only one, as at present. 



Mr. West (Mr. Barnes having been called away) then 



