CHAPTER XXIV.
THE WESTINGHOUSE AIR-BRAKE.
INVENTION OF THE WESTINGHOUSE ATMOSPHERIC BRAKE.
In this exacting age, the traveling public are much more disposed to find fault with systems that do not provide against fatalities resulting from human fallibility, than to commend the perfection of appliances which annually save more lives than would be lost in a sanguinary war. The Westinghouse brake has performed this life-saving service, yet its great conserving merit has been but feebly appreciated outside of railroad circles. During the decade between 1860 and 1870, America became a reproach among nations for the frequency and disastrous nature of its railroad accidents. To-day fewer railroad travelers in America lose their lives by accidents beyond their own control, than the travelers in any country under the sun. The credit of this immunity from fatal accidents is almost entirely due to the successful operation of the Westinghouse and other brakes that followed the line suggested by this invention.
DISTINCT CLASSES OF INVENTIONS.
Inventions may be divided into two distinct classes. Far the more numerous class are those which effect improvements on recognized appliances. The other is the rare and more valuable class, to which belongs the original inventor who devises an entirely new method for performing a desired operation. Among this class of inventions may be noted Watt’s separate condenser, which first rendered the steam engine a commercial success; the multitubular boiler of Nathan Read, which made a high-speed locomotive practicable; and the air-brake of Westinghouse, which made fast traveling safe, by putting the train speed under the control of the engineer.
BENEFITS CONFERRED ON TRAIN MEN BY GOOD BRAKES.
To the traveling public the air-brake has proved a source of satisfaction by assuring exemption from accidents, but its greatest blessing has been conferred upon train men. Being the greatest sufferers from railway accidents, their risks of life and limb are greatly reduced; and the agonizing helplessness that used to be so often experienced with trains that could not be stopped in time to avoid a disaster, is almost unknown on our well-managed roads. Mind has become victor in its conflict with matter. When necessary, an engineer can run a train at a high velocity over crowded lines without having to shut off steam within a mile of each point where there may be another train obstructing the track, or keep up his speed at the risk of his life. People unacquainted with the inside operating of railroads have no idea of the difficulties train men had to contend with in getting fast trains over the road, before continuous brakes were supplied. The train had to be run on schedule time, and all points where trains might be expected had to be approached with care. This meant reduced speed; and speed could not be reduced in short distances, so the risk had to be taken of violating one rule to comply with another.
FIRST TRIALS OF THE WESTINGHOUSE ATMOSPHERIC BRAKE.
The Westinghouse atmospheric brake was patented April 13, 1869; and the first public trial took place on the Panhandle road about the same time. The trial was so satisfactory, that the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which have been always noted for their liberal patronage of every meritorious device likely to promote the efficiency and safety of railroad operating, had a train equipped with the brake. This was the Walls accommodation train, a kind of service where frequent stops were required, and was therefore well calculated to demonstrate the true character of any brake. A number of public trials were made with the brake thus fitted, among which was one by the Master Mechanics’ Association in the middle of September, 1869, on the Horseshoe Bend on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Here a train of six cars, running down a grade of 96 feet to the mile, at the rate of 30 miles an hour, was stopped in a distance of 420 feet. Such a feat was unprecedented at that time, and attracted wide-spread attention.