All Eyes on the Track - Engineers and Signals

All Eyes on the Track - Engineers and Signals. . , Locomotive engineers drive trains along railroad tracks, making sure a train gets from one destination to the next. Engineers ensure the train arrives safely and on time. It is their job to inspect the locomotive before and after use and to operate the train with manual and computer controls. They use on-board instruments to monitor train speed, battery use, and air pressure. In addition, engineers communicate with traffic control dispatchers about stops, on-coming trains, and delays., Trackside Signals Direct and Control Traffic , Dispatching centers around the country control train movement through signals and switches. Traffic control operators watch for three situations: (1) trains running in the same direction on the same track, (2) trains running in opposite directions on the same track, and (3) trains running on two tracks that intersect. Signals use a system of red-yellow-green lights to protect and control rail traffic., (captions) , Signals are mounted on a trackside mast 12 to 15 feet high so they are in the eyeline of the engineer., Warning signs and signals alert motorists to rail crossings and approaching trains. Warning sign and traffic crossing gate, There are different kinds of signals including the vertically-grouped color-light signals for train engineers. Traffic control signals for locomotive engineers, Women Contribute to the Success of Railroads, Traditionally, a woman's place was not working on the railroad. However, a number of women made significant contributions to railroads., Eliza Murfey patented 23 devices for improving railroad safety between 1868 and 1893. Several of her patents improved the lubrication of railcar bearings, axles and pistons, reducing derailments caused by seized mechanisms., Mary Elizabeth Walton developed a system to deflect emissions from smoke stacks on railroad locomotives in 1879., Catherine L. Gibbon reduced the way train tracks were constructed from 28 pieces of metal to four main parts, making construction more efficient in the 1880s., Mary I. Riggin created a crossing gate in 1890 to warn pedestrians and drivers of an oncoming train after witnessing an accident at a train crossing., Olive W. Dennis earned degrees in mathematics and civil engineering before being hired by the B&O Railroad as a draftsman to design bridges. In 1920, the B&O created a new position for her - service engineer. Since half the traveling public were women, the B&O felt she would understand their needs. Dennis's innovations include reclining seats, air-conditioned cars and better lighting., (caption) Olive Wetzel Dennis