Railroad Accidents, Their Cause and PreventionRichards, R. C. (Ralph Coffin)
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Railroad Accidents, Their Cause and Prevention
Richards, R. C. (Ralph Coffin)
Railroad accidents
39. When an accident occurs on an engine, or is caused by an
engine striking any person or conveyance, or when cars are being
coupled or uncoupled, a full report must be made by the engineman,
as well as by the conductor or the person in charge of the train.
40. When persons are injured while coupling or uncoupling cars or
in getting on or off cars, whether passenger or freight, or in any
other way, in which the accident may have been caused by defective
appliances or machinery, the cars or appliances must be
immediately examined by the person in charge, or by the agent, to
ascertain their condition, and report made of the inspection,
giving the numbers and initials of cars examined and the names of
the persons making the inspection. The Superintendent or his
assistant will then notify the inspector at the first division
terminal, who will also examine the machinery, cars, or appliances
and make report. When an accident is caused by defective machinery
or by the breaking of machinery, tools, appliances, or rails, the
broken or defective parts must be so marked as to be readily
identified and immediately turned over to the Superintendent or
his assistant.
41. When an accident occurs which results in the death of any
person, the remains of the deceased must be immediately picked up
and carefully conveyed to the nearest station building, care being
taken not to remove the body outside the limits of county and
state in which the accident happened. The agent at such station
will then notify the Superintendent by wire, as well as the family
or friends of the deceased.
42. Apply the brakes lightly at a sufficient distance from the
stopping point, and increase the braking force gradually as may be
found necessary, so as to make the stop with one application, or
at the most two applications of the brakes.
43. In making a service stop with a passenger train, always
release the brakes a short distance before coming to a dead stop,
except on heavy grades, to prevent shocks at the instant of
stopping. Even on moderate grades it is best to do this, and then,
after release, to apply the brakes lightly to prevent the train
starting. This does not apply to freight trains, upon which the
brakes must not be released until the train has stopped.
44. A train must, at all times, have not less than 50 per cent of
its cars equipped with air-brakes, which must be operated.
45. They must see that all switches are in perfect order and that
frogs, guard-rails, and switch-rails are properly blocked and
spaces in planked crossings kept clean.
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