Hudson & Manhattan Railroad Company 1950 Annual Report
 

operating   experience    with    the    pilot
model.

Mechanical improvements include one-
piece, cast steel trucks and multiple door
control, both of which have also been
introduced on some other Hudson Tubes
cars. The advantages of these mechanical
features are described below.

New Interlocking System

One of the most modem and efficient
interlocking systems ever developed went
into operation on the Hudson Tubes in
mid-November.

This installation makes it possible for
one man at Hudson Terminal to control
all train movements between the Termi¬
nal and points beyond Exchange Place,
Jersey City.

The basic function of an interlocking
plant is to ensure the safe operation of
trains over stretches of track on which
there are many switches and signals. The
term "interlocking" is used because the
system is designed to lock a series of
switches and signals into position for a
particular train movement. This is done
 

in such a way that no other train move¬
ment can be made over the interlocked
trackage while the route is set up, except
at a safe distance.

Safety Above All

Recent passenger train disasters on
other railroads serving New York City
have stimulated public interest in pas¬
senger safety. The safety procedures of
all the railroads have been subjected to
exceedingly critical scrutiny. This has
actually brought credit to the Hudson
Tubes, not only for its safety record over
many years but lor the thoroughness of
its safety engineering.

An important factor in our safety
record has been the elaborate and de¬
tailed program of inspection and mainte¬
nance we conduct continuously. But in
addition to these precautions taken by the
Company, the regulatory authorities of
both New York and New Jersey, as well
as the Interstate Commerce Commission,
conduct frequent checks of the safety, on-
time performance, and other aspects of
our operations, even including the
cleanliness of our cars.
 

One of the new one-piece, cast-steel trucks now being installed
on all Hudson Tubes cars is shown at the left below. At the
right is one of the old fabricated trucks tvhich are being replaced.