Accrington on Rails - The Tramways: A Complete History - Robert Kenyon

avoid the possibility of a collision should the approaching car take the wrong points when entering the loop. 34.When standing at a terminus or in a passing loop, the driver must always lock the controller by placing the reversing lever in the ‘off’ position, and if stepping from the car for any reason take the reversing lever with him and also knock out the canopy switch. 35.Drivers must keep the distance of at least 20 yards between his car and a proceeding car when travelling in the same direction. 36.The track brake must always be used for an emergency stop in preference to any other method, and drivers are specifically to be warned against reversing the motion of the motors to stop the car. This is the very worst thing that can be done as it causes the wheels to lock. 37.If under normal conditions the driver should find it necessary to utilise the track brake, the pointer on the controller should be allowed to dwell for an instant at the ‘off’ position before working up the brake. However, in the case of extreme emergencies, where life or property is in danger, drivers should not hesitate to turn the pointer round from notch seven ahead to a brake notch corresponding to the momentum of his car. 38.Should the track brake at any time fail or become inoperative whilst the wheels are revolving there is still the emergency brake which is extremely powerful and can be relied upon to bring the car under control in almost any circumstances, providing sand is not being applied to the rails when this brake is put into operation. 39.Many of the accidents involving runaway cars had not been due to any faults on the car’s brakes or other equipment to respond satisfactorily, but chiefly through the lack of caution on the part of their drivers , who had put on a certain amount of brake pressure when descending an incline by kicking the catch into position to relieve their muscles. If the tracks had become greasy the wheels had probably locked and the speed had increased rather than the car slowed. The drivers had then released the handbrake and the wheels had started to revolve. Having applied the electric brake this had then suddenly checked the turning of the wheels. Possibly by letting the handbrake off to allow the wheels to turn, the catch or dog then flies into position without the driver being aware before the brake has released fully. The result of all this is that the electric brake then retards the motion of the wheels and the slight pressure of the handbrake binding on the face of the wheels causes them to lock again and the car once more shoots forward. The driver now under the impression that the handbrake has released becomes reliant on the electric brake to stop the car with probably serious consequences. Therefore too much emphasis cannot be placed on the necessity for the wheels to be allowed to turn at all times, as it is by slowly revolving, not skidding or stationary, that the car is swiftly and safely brought to a standstill. In the handling of the cars drivers should be careful in handling the equipment which controls the car, and be capable of stopping immediately if called upon to do so. 40.Cars must not be reversed until both the driver and conductor have changed places. 41.Drivers in charge of cars during snowstorms, if stopped by a drift should shut off power, reverse back a few yards and after removing any lumps of snow which might form under the wheels, apply sand, power up and charge the drift. 42.When driving in thick fog, drivers must reduce speed and must strictly observe all passing places, taking particular care to avoid when leaving a double track section for single line running, unless having already passed the car scheduled to be crossed there. They should not proceed beyond the single line passing loops until the opposite car has passed unless he sends his conductor forward to clear the loop ahead. 43.Cars must be slowed to a speed of 2 miles per hour when entering or leaving the car sheds, going through overhead line junctions, through cross-overs, facing or trailing frogs or round curves. When entering or leaving points the speed should not exceed 4 miles per hour. 44.Cars must not pass on curves, with the inside car being allowed preference.

223