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train has passed all-right, or signalman “A” will chance that he has signalled the first train on to “B,” and forgot afterwards to put his signals to all-right. In the end, the second train is allowed to pass, coming shortly into collision with the first. Here I would point out other disadvantages under which many signalmen perform their duties, in cases where they are protecting long tunnels, as upon any of the underground Railways, or on a part of line where the view is obstructed. When a misunderstanding arises (such as I have described), the signalman has to trust entirely to memory, whereas the man in the open country, who can see from one station to another, can tell when a train is clear of the station in advance, or can see a train coming, that he might be otherwise in doubt about. This should be taken into consideration by railway authorities when mistakes occur, for, depend upon it, there is nothing gained by being too severe with good and trustworthy servants.
It, however, often occurs that men are appointed to the position of Superintendent or Station-master with no better recommendation than a few years service as clerk in the office of the General Manager or Superintendent. Men are frequently made inspectors through the influence of someone quite outside Railway management, or at the bidding of a superintendent’s clerk. It is seldom that such men do a day’s duty in connection with the outdoor work of the line from one year’s end to another. Inspectors or station-masters appointed thus, when a “block” occurs, are like ships in a storm, on their beam ends, and the first thing they most likely essay is, appeal to the signalman or foreman-porter to know “what is the usual practice in such cases.” In my opinion, the man who would make the most useful superintendent is the station-master or inspector of long standing, who has risen from the lower grades of the service, as a man then possesses a good knowledge of all departments of Railway work.
I have endeavoured in the foregoing writings, to the best of my humble abilities, to show how Railway Accidents occur,
