Page:NTSB RAR-77-10.pdf/13

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rather than by breaking away from their attachment to the frame. The interior of the cars had cushioned Seats which faced both ends of the cars. The seat backs were covered with padding and were enclosed by tubular steel frames which served as handholds on top of the seats. Vertical stanchions were located at the doors and at several seat locations throughout the cars. There were two sets of doors on each side of the cars located about one—fourth car length from each end.

The cars on the Lake—Dan Ryan train were manufactured of stainless steel by the Budd Company in 1969 and 1970 and were similar to those in the Ravenswood train. The train weighed about 360,000 pounds.

The equipment of both trains was propelled electrically by traction motors on each truck. The primary braking mode was electro—dynamic. The drive shafts of each car Were provided with a friction disc brake that automatically operated below 5 mph and in emergency braking. Magnetic track brakes were also provided for emergency braking.

The two trains were equipped with either four or six emergency lights per car which were operated from the train batteries. In some instances battery power was train-lined between the two cars because only one car was equipped with batteries.

Method of Operation

Trains on the east and north sections of the elevated "loop" are operated by cab signal indications of an automatic block signal system and by an automatic train control system (ATC) provided with overspeed control. The cab signal aspects and their indications are:

Color Displayed by cab signal Indication Maximum speed indicated by illumination of yellow light on speedometer
Green (not presented in "loop" area)
Yellow Two blocks ahead are unoccupied. 35 mph
Yellow Block ahead is unoccupied; second block is occupied; or 15 mph
  Special speed restrictions.