"Diesel-Electric 4030" And The Forestalling Lever

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

On NYC steam, too

http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=31235

Rob

Howard P. · **Posted:** Sat Dec 22, 2012 2:19 am

This was one of three railroad books in the Pearl River (NY) Public Library, ca. 1962-63. "Men Of Erie" and "Mixed Train Daily" were the other two. Thanks to the magic of Amazon, a copy of "DE 4030" is on my bookshelf today.

"Intermittent Inductive Train Stop" was what this system was, used by NYC and also on certain divisions of the Erie and some other roads.

Howard P.

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 22, 2012 7:54 pm

I believe a number of other railroads used this type of automatic control equipment, and that one of them was Southern Railway. The preserved Ps-4, No. 1401, has this equipment, with the pickup shoe mounted behind the last axle on the forward tender truck.

Joe Magruder · **Posted:** Sun Dec 23, 2012 2:26 am

Thank you for reminding me of a most enjoyable book from my childhood. Little did my mother know as she read this book to me that she was contributing to a lifetime of pursuit of the iron horse. For some reason the description of washing the windows enroute (spray water on windows, run wipers) has stuck with me.

weekendrailroader · **Joined:** Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:02 am **Posts:** 293

Out of curiosity, is the "Intermittent Inductive Train Stop" or "Forestalling Lever" the same device shown at the 3:50 minute mark in this old railroad film?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6rWOrL9sGY

R Paul Carey · **Joined:** Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:48 am **Posts:** 80

Thanks for the link to the PRR film!

On the PRR, the cab signal system operated on the basis of continuous induction. As shown, a restrictive indication was to be "acknowledged" within six seconds, or the speed control feature (installed on passenger road units) would act to bring the train to a stop. The acknowledgment was made by the engineer upon a foot pedal, as shown.

On the NYC, the system worked on the basis of intermittent induction (no cab signals on the NYC). A restrictive signal indication (displayed by a wayside signal) was to be timely acknowledged - and the automatic train stop feature thereby "forestalled" by the operation of a hand lever, mounted just below the engineer's window sill. If I remember correctly, the lever was pulled up to forestall the ATS feature.

I hope this satisfactorily addresses the question.

filmteknik · **Posted:** Sun Dec 23, 2012 11:32 am

Yes, it's a normal feature of ATS, not just some NYC thing. A number of roads had it. In 1947, new ICC rules said you couldn't go faster than 79 MPH without an advanced signal / safety system and I believe ATS was the cheapest of them. Maybe someone else can explain to what extent the new rule caused further deployment of these systems vs. simply rolling back the top speeds to 79.

With the decline of passenger service and the transfer to Amtrak, much of this stuff was pulled out but there is plenty of mileage still in use. UP's ex-C&NW comes to mind.

Steve

Lincoln Penn · **Joined:** Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:40 pm **Posts:** 841

Thanks for the memory!

This book was in our school library "way back when" ('50's-'60's) and I remember checking it out repeatedly and re-reading it until I almost had it memorized.

You brightened my Christams season!

1361prr · **Joined:** Tue Aug 07, 2012 2:42 pm **Posts:** 34

BNSF ex-Santa Fe ATS (intermittent) is still in operation on several transcon track segments, notably in Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico, as well as the San Diego Caltrain line. IC's system was ATS also until taken out when single-tracked. Not certain, but I believe CNW's system was (and is) 2-aspect cab signals plus ATC.